Cypress Lakes girls’ soccer program receives grant from 2026 Grant Teaff Beyond the Game Team Award
The Cypress Lakes High School girls’ soccer team poses with their signs at Lieder Elementary School at a pep rally to motivate students ahead of STAAR testing.
April 10, 2026—The Cypress Lakes High School girls’ soccer program is one of 20 teams in Texas that received a $1,000 grant as a finalist for the 2026 Grant Teaff Beyond the Game Team Award.
The award recognizes teams that go above and beyond to serve their communities away from the playing field.
The Lady Spartans have given back to the CFISD community in multiple ways this school year. Cypress Lakes players have volunteered as coaches at Wilson Elementary School’s after-school soccer program, they have served as course monitors at Watkins and Thornton middle schools’ cross-country meets and they were special guests at Lieder Elementary School’s soccer-themed pep rally to motivate students ahead of STAAR testing.
“Our program culture at Cy Lakes is built upon so much more than points on a scoreboard,” said Casey Blades, Cypress Lakes head soccer coach. “We make a continual effort to give back to the community in big and small ways all year long. My goal is to empower young women to be determined, honest and compassionate servant leaders. Being recognized with such a prestigious and selective award shines a well-deserved spotlight on these girls for simply doing the right thing.”
Cypress Lakes and Jersey Village high schools’ girls’ soccer teams pose with bottles of hot sauce as part of their “Sauces for Soldiers” program where they partner together to ship bottles of hot sauce to soldiers stationed overseas.
Giving back beyond the field hits close to home for Blades, whose husband, Jersey Village High School teacher Aaron Blades, also serves in the military reserves. His service has inspired the Cypress Lakes and Jersey Village girls’ soccer programs to partner together for the “Sauces for Soldiers” program. Over the past five years, they have gathered and shipped more than 1,000 bottles of hot sauces to soldiers stationed overseas in order to give them a taste of home.
In all, 105 high school were nominated for this year’s award, but Cypress Lakes’ wide range of service stood out to Grant Teaff and his foundation.
“High school coaches have a unique opportunity to shape their athletes’ lives by fostering a culture of servant leadership,” said Grant Teaff, a member of eight halls of fame, including the College Football Hall of Fame and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. “I commend Coach Casey Blades and her student athletes for their exceptional leadership and dedication to selfless service.”
Soldiers stationed at Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti pose with their hot sauces donated by the Cypress Lakes and Jersey Village high schools’ girls’ soccer programs.
Cypress Lakes girls’ soccer program receives grant from 2026 Grant Teaff Beyond the Game Team Award
The Cypress Lakes High School girls’ soccer team poses with their signs at Lieder Elementary School at a pep rally to motivate students ahead of STAAR testing.
April 10, 2026—The Cypress Lakes High School girls’ soccer program is one of 20 teams in Texas that received a $1,000 grant as a finalist for the 2026 Grant Teaff Beyond the Game Team Award.
The award recognizes teams that go above and beyond to serve their communities away from the playing field.
The Lady Spartans have given back to the CFISD community in multiple ways this school year. Cypress Lakes players have volunteered as coaches at Wilson Elementary School’s after-school soccer program, they have served as course monitors at Watkins and Thornton middle schools’ cross-country meets and they were special guests at Lieder Elementary School’s soccer-themed pep rally to motivate students ahead of STAAR testing.
“Our program culture at Cy Lakes is built upon so much more than points on a scoreboard,” said Casey Blades, Cypress Lakes head soccer coach. “We make a continual effort to give back to the community in big and small ways all year long. My goal is to empower young women to be determined, honest and compassionate servant leaders. Being recognized with such a prestigious and selective award shines a well-deserved spotlight on these girls for simply doing the right thing.”
Cypress Lakes and Jersey Village high schools’ girls’ soccer teams pose with bottles of hot sauce as part of their “Sauces for Soldiers” program where they partner together to ship bottles of hot sauce to soldiers stationed overseas.
Giving back beyond the field hits close to home for Blades, whose husband, Jersey Village High School teacher Aaron Blades, also serves in the military reserves. His service has inspired the Cypress Lakes and Jersey Village girls’ soccer programs to partner together for the “Sauces for Soldiers” program. Over the past five years, they have gathered and shipped more than 1,000 bottles of hot sauces to soldiers stationed overseas in order to give them a taste of home.
In all, 105 high school were nominated for this year’s award, but Cypress Lakes’ wide range of service stood out to Grant Teaff and his foundation.
“High school coaches have a unique opportunity to shape their athletes’ lives by fostering a culture of servant leadership,” said Grant Teaff, a member of eight halls of fame, including the College Football Hall of Fame and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. “I commend Coach Casey Blades and her student athletes for their exceptional leadership and dedication to selfless service.”
Soldiers stationed at Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti pose with their hot sauces donated by the Cypress Lakes and Jersey Village high schools’ girls’ soccer programs.