Andrew Sheridan and football seem to go hand-in-hand. On Friday nights in the fall, you can catch him in action under the bright Friday night lights as a football coach at Mesa High School. Outside the stadium, he is an award-winning volunteer for the Fiesta Sports Foundation, where he contributes his time and efforts to making an even more positive impact on the community.
 
In his first year on the Fiesta Sports Foundation Yellow Jacket Committee, Sheridan earned the Fiesta Sports Foundation George Leonard Rookie of the Year Award. This award is given to first or second-year volunteers who have made an impact on the foundation through volunteering.
 
Sheridan's lifelong passion for college football led him to find ways to give back to the community that has benefited him. When he came across the Fiesta Sports Foundation opportunity, he was ecstatic about the intersection of football and his community.
 
Sheridan sees the value of sports in helping shape the lives of youth.
 
"I love prepping young people to be better leaders, better men and women. Sports are hard; you learn how to lose, you learn how to win, you learn how to grind and put that work forth, and sometimes you don't get the result you want," said Sheridan. "At the end of the day, it's about improving yourself. It's not about if you win or lose, because everybody's going to lose at some point."
 
With the Fiesta Sports Foundation, Sheridan actively participated in events and supported fundraising efforts. During this past year's College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl and Rate Bowl, Sheridan hosted VIP fans for the duration of the game and engaged fans during on-field visits.
 
Sheridan also co-chaired a new initiative, Big Game Saturdays, with fellow Fiesta Future Katelyn Saunders. During the football season, Sheridan and fellow first-year Yellow Jackets engaged college football fans at local sports bars and restaurants to promote the CFP Quarterfinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Rate Bowl and Fiesta Sports Foundation initiatives.
 
While Fiesta Sports Foundation provided Sheridan with endless opportunities, his most memorable moment was granting a wish to a teacher through the ninth annual Palo Verde Fiesta Sports Foundation Wishes for Teachers program.
 
"I got to call them on the phone and tell them, 'Your wish was granted for supplies for your students.' To me, that was super gratifying," said Sheridan. "Anybody who is looking to volunteer should dive in head-first and look at everything the Fiesta Sports Foundation has to offer. There is so much more than two college football bowl games."
 
While volunteering, Sheridan found ways to involve his athletes from Mesa High School. During the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, there was a need for more people to help with parade floats and balloons. Sheridan was quick to recruit his football players.
 
After helping to stage the parade, the Mesa High School football athletes flocked to Sky Harbor Airport to greet the Boise State team upon arrival for the CFP Quarterfinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.
 
"That was a memory for the players. They freaked out. They saw Ashton Jeanty, one of the best running backs in the nation. It was cool to show the boys that this is what they are working for, this is what they're pushing for," said Sheridan.
 
The Fiesta Sports Foundation has impacted Sheridan, his players and his family in various ways. Receiving the George Leonard Rookie of the Year Award is a surreal experience for Sheridan.
 
"It was crazy. Any of the Fiesta Futures (rookie volunteers) deserved it. To be named the winner was humbling, especially when you look at all the great people who have received the award before and all the great work they are doing," said Sheridan.
 
Sheridan encourages everyone to look at the possibilities the Fiesta Sports Foundation has to offer. The community of fans and volunteers makes the organization unique and personal to everyone.
 
"It's all about hospitality. It's making every event the best that it can be and giving people the experience of a lifetime, whether it's sports clinics or game experience," Sheridan said. "One of the things we did was roll out the blue carpet for Boise State when the plane landed on the tarmac. You see all these fans cheer their team on. Fiesta Sports Foundation goes out of their way to make sure the teams know they are supported and appreciated." 
 
As Sheridan noted, the Fiesta Sports Foundation is truly more than a game. It is an organization that delivers gratifying experiences that impact the lives of many across the state of Arizona. He is excited to continue advocating for his community through the Fiesta Sports Foundation.