The Macalester Football Parent Association (MACFPA) began after the last game of the 2005 season in Ripon, Wisconsin. After a tough 0-8 season, Frank and Karen Szewczyk wanted to do something for the boys. Along with a handful of parents, they brought tables and cookies and had pizza delivered right to the team bus. The response of the players and athletic staff after the game was priceless.
Starting with the 2006 season the MACFPA started to become more established. The Szewczyks and the Hanks created a post-game atmosphere where players, family, and friends could meet. There were post game meals of sloppy joes, pizza, subs, cookies, chips, and fruit. The tradition was a friendly one and was a great way to end a game, win or lose.

In 2007, the parent association expanded the team’s menu and also sold sweatshirts to parents and friends and thundersticks to whoever wanted to make some noise. MACFPA was firmly established in the football team experience. At season’s end, the football program established the Frank Szewczyk Award named and awarded it this first year to Frank Szewczyk as founder of the MACFPA. The award goes to the parent/friend who makes the most positive and consistent contribution to the program over the course of the season.
Since that time, the Macalester Football Parent Association has continued to grow and thrive. Each year, new parents join the “family” of parents and help to make meals possible, both at Macalester and on the road. In addition, parents have begun family tailgating prior to the games, mostly home games. Potluck tailgating has begun at the corner of the football field, where folks contribute something delicious for a pre-game feast. There are countless parents to thank, each contributing with an idea, a donation, food, or time to make the football experience a better one at Mac.
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The Frank Szewczyk Award Winners
2007: Frank Szewczyk
2008: Shanna Boomgaarden
2009: Nick Westcott
2010: Alan Goldberg and Michele Engstrom
2011: Robyn Gallegos
2012: Jody Russell
2013: Chris, Megan and Beth Conlon
2014: Kim Weckwerth and Teri Hillmann
2015: Tania Lynn and Dave Hauser
2016: Julie Carpenter and Joan Nowaczynski
2017: Kari & Krista Lee
2018: Deb Stephan & Stacey Beatty
2019: Alison Hodges

2016 Award Winners. From left: Tre and Joan Nowaczynski and Julie and Ethan Carpenter