Crete community buys more than 800 tickets so students can cheer on boys basketball team

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Crete community donated thousands of dollars to pay for students to attend Friday’s semifinal basketball game.

The Crete Cardinals had a perfect record going into the boys basketball state tournament.

And the stands were full as they played Omaha Skutt Catholic.

“We wanted to make sure to get a full crowd, just like we do at home,” Crete mom Rhiannon Svitak said.

She said there are barriers for kids to come support their team.

It requires transportation to Lincoln, and tickets have to be purchased online, so students need a credit card and a cellphone.

Parents and businesses teamed up with the school, with the goal of students attending the game for free.

They purchased more than 800 tickets for Thursday and Friday and brought several buses for students.

Angel, a Crete High School student, said the school is proud of the team.

“It’s a good day to be a Cardinal fan,” he said. “We’re thankful for all of the donations to get a student section of people out here, it really means a lot to be supporting the team.”

Svitak said Crete’s community is unique, and it has been supportive throughout the entire season.

“There’s just a bunch of small businesses, all hardworking people, and that’s what’s so cool,” she said. “We don’t have just one donor that came together, I think our list had at least 65 different people. We had several businesses come with some big donations, but some people also just bought one ticket, and that was cool, too.”