BAY CITY, MI - Hundreds of students from Bay City Public Schools Tuesday, Dec. 17, dropped their book bags from their shoulders and switched out of the day's school clothes, opting instead to adorn themselves in pajamas.
But rather than going to their respective bedrooms for an early appointment with sleep, the students - many of whom were dressed in fuzzy one-piece pajamas, comfort clothes like shorts, sweatpants or leggings, and flannel pants with fleece sweaters on what turned out to be a chilly night - made their way to Bay City Central High School.
"It was by far the most packed I've ever seen the gym," said Ava Garcia, a senior on Central's girls' basketball team.
The scene reminded her of a decade ago when, as a child, she would attend the annual Pajama Game, where fans showed up in their PJs and donated items to a local women's shelter. But back then, Garcia didn't know how big a role she would later play in it the event's history.
"I remember how packed the stands were (back then)," she said. "I knew one day it would come back."
The pajama game began in 2014, the brainchild of Garcia's father, Rob Garcia. The elder Garcia was the Handy Middle School student council advisor and a boys' basketball coach at the time.
"He always pushed his athletes to be more than just athletes," Ava Garcia said, adding her father sought out service projects that would benefit the community.
The game serves as a promotional event for the Bay Area Women's Shelter, which provides care to women in need who have been domestically abused or sexually assaulted. Each year of its existence, the game has served as a opportunity for the community to come together, contributing personal hygiene products such as soap and shampoo.
Many donate children's necessities, like diapers, baby wipes and household items like bath towels and feminine hygiene products.
When the tradition began 10 years ago, it just so happened a great need at the shelter was pajamas for adults and children of all sizes. That became the shtick that stuck.
But after the 2019 game, the COVID-19 pandemic began. Like many things in education and sports alike, the pajama game was put on hold. Then it became a part of the past and, almost, it seemed, forgotten.
That was until Ava Garcia, a member of the class of 2025, decided to bring it back to life.
A member of the basketball team and the student council president, Ava Garcia used her voice to reignite interest in the event. But it came with some charges: the game this year wasn't going to be at Handy Middle School, its home for past renditions. It was going to be at Central High School on the night they hosted their rivals from Western.
"I was inspired by my dad, and I always want to make him proud. But the real purpose is to give back to our community and to come together to show it's more than just athletics," she said.
Many donations were accumulated through the event, with drop-off to take place on Thursday, Dec. 19, at the women's shelter. Students from Western High School also got involved in the event, bringing their own donations and items.
Ava Garcia will leave Michigan next year to attend Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio, to play soccer. She said she hopes the pajama game continues long after she leaves.
"I wanted to make an impact for when I come back next year," she said. "I can't wait to see Bay City Central and Bay City Western games packed and meaning more than just who won."