Dakota Ridge community rallies to honor Mary Beth Price

LITTLETON — The words on the newly installed football and lacrosse scoreboard at Dakota Ridge High School just begins to describe Mary Beth Price — Wife, Mother, Daughter, Friend and Community Leader.

Mary Beth Price was heavy involved with Dakota Ridge High School’s football and lacrosse programs with two sons going through the Eagles’ programs. It was a devastating loss when Mary Beth suffered a heart attack and passed away on Nov. 8, 2021.

Shortly after her passing a movement went into full gear to put up a scoreboard on the Eagles’ football/lacrosse field to honor Mary Beth. After six months of hundreds of volunteers and donations from individuals and businesses the scoreboard was unveiled on the morning of Aug. 13 before the Eagles’ intra-squad scrimmage.

“This is a wonderful morning. First weekend of football,” said Jamie Price, husband of Mary Beth. “No other place would Mary Beth want to be then right here with us today.”

More than $50,000 was raised to purchase the scoreboard and several companies including H2i Group, Daktronics, Ackerman Engineering, CTL Thompson, Schlosser Signs, Kelly Electric and Matrix Design Group volunteered resources to get the scoreboard up by the start of the Fall 2022 season.

“This scoreboard is a symbol,” said Matt Heckel, Dakota Ridge’s Athletic Director. “It’s a symbol of a great family that came to our area and fell in love with our amazing school. It’s a symbol of how Dakota Ridge’s community can rally to support one of our Eagle families after a tremendous tragedy.”

Mary Beth was a key member of Dakota Ridge’s football and boys lacrosse booster clubs. Her dream was to get a state-of-the-art scoreboard for the field that she loved.

“We all love Mary Price. We love the Price Family,” Dakota Ridge football coach Ron Woitalewicz said during the dedication ceremony. “The community support has been outstanding. All the volunteers and people who put the time and effort to make this happen. It’s a special day.”