Remembering Super Evan: Winnacunnet soccer teams to pay tribute to honorary captain

Brandon Brown, Portsmouth Herald
·3 min read
Winnacunnet goalie Tanyon Ziolkowski gives Evan Austin a fist bump after Evan scored a a ceremonial goal when he was honorary boys soccer captain last October. Winnacunnet boys soccer Nick Rowe applauds in the background. Austin passed away in June from the rare brain cancer diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. The Winnacunnet boys and girls soccer teams will honor Austin during Friday's games against Exeter.
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HAMPTON — Evan Austin served as an honorary captain last season for both the Winnacunnet High School boys and girls soccer teams as he was battling a rare brain cancer called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma.

"Super Evan" passed away in June at the age of 8, and both soccer teams will pay tribute to him one more time during Friday's games against rival Exeter.

More: Hampton remembers 8-year-old 'Super Evan' Austin: ‘Once you knew him, you loved him’

"It's a great way to honor Evan Austin's life and to recognize the family and the unfortunate hardships that they've gone through," Winnacunnet girls soccer head coach Nick O'Brien said. "But also to raise awareness on pediatric brain cancer, and kind of unite both communities for a great cause."

At Friday's Winnacunnet soccer games, there will be items available to purchase such as Super Evan T-shirts, stickers and magnets. There also will be a 50/50 raffle with all proceeds going to pediatric cancer research.
At Friday's Winnacunnet soccer games, there will be items available to purchase such as Super Evan T-shirts, stickers and magnets. There also will be a 50/50 raffle with all proceeds going to pediatric cancer research.

The girls game is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m., with the boys game to follow. A tribute to Austin, the boy who touched the hearts of the entire Hampton community, will be held between games.

Honorary Winnacunnet High School boys soccer captain Evan Austin (center) posed with the team after its 2-1 win over Londonderry last October.
Honorary Winnacunnet High School boys soccer captain Evan Austin (center) posed with the team after its 2-1 win over Londonderry last October.

"We're going to try to remember him and support the family going forward," boys soccer coach Nick Rowe said. "Supporting the community is part of our program's culture. For these players, this is bigger than what they're doing as athletes, and there are bigger things in life than soccer."

More: 'He's so brave': Winnacunnet soccer teams honor 'SuperEvan,' 7-year-old battling cancer

At the games, there will be items available to purchase such as Super Evan T-shirts, stickers and magnets. There also will be a 50/50 raffle with all proceeds going to pediatric cancer research.

Honorary Winnacunnet High School boys soccer captain Evan Austin lines up and kicks the ball in the net during opening ceremonies prior to last October's game against Londonderry.
Honorary Winnacunnet High School boys soccer captain Evan Austin lines up and kicks the ball in the net during opening ceremonies prior to last October's game against Londonderry.

"Even though Evan has passed, (Winnacunnet) still wanted to honor him and make it a good night," said Jess Austin, Evan's mother. "September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, so we're really trying to use this opportunity to spread awareness in the community, do some fundraising, while also honoring Evan at the same time."

More: 'A great day': Hampton's Evan Austin lives Red Sox dream amid battle with brain tumor

Coaches from both teams will wear custom-made T-shirts in honor of Evan, and those in attendance are encouraged to do the same, or wear anything gold in his memory.

"(Exeter's) coaching staff on the boys and the girls were both 100% in," Rowe said. "So, I think it's definitely something we want to try to continue as we go on in the future."

The Hampton community is mourning the loss of “Super Evan" Austin, who died Friday, June 10, 2022, from the rare brain cancer diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma.
The Hampton community is mourning the loss of “Super Evan" Austin, who died Friday, June 10, 2022, from the rare brain cancer diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma.

The Winnacunnet soccer teams hosted a Super Evan night last night. He served as an honorary captain for the girls game against Keene, and for the boys when they played Londonderry.

"It was really fun, he had a really nice night," Jess Austin said. "He got to go out on the field, kick the first goal and be out there with the players. It was a good night. The community really came out for it. Everybody had their 'Super Evan' shirts on, and we raised thousands of dollars for The Cure Starts Now, so it was a really good night. I think this year will be a good way for the larger community to remember him and do things in his honor, while raising awareness for all childhood cancer."

O'Brien mentioned how the team was fortunate to be able to meet Evan last season.

Honorary captain and Centre School second-grader Evan Austin stands with the Winnacunnet High School boys soccer team during the national anthem prior to a game against Londonderry Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021.
Honorary captain and Centre School second-grader Evan Austin stands with the Winnacunnet High School boys soccer team during the national anthem prior to a game against Londonderry Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021.

"To have him do a ceremonial goal and everything else was great," O'Brien said. "(It was nice) to see him enjoy being a kid. We're deeply sad that (Evan) is gone, but we really want to keep his memory alive, and raise awareness about pediatric cancer, so eventually there is a cure found and support the Austin family in any way that we can."

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: WHS soccer teams to pay tribute to Super Evan Austin