Unity Seats to Bring Somerset County Neighbors Together at North Star Football Game

The Somerset County Sheriff’s Department will bring the US United Unity Seats program to the Meyersdale at North Star high school football game at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in Boswell. The matchup will provide an energetic setting for county law enforcement leaders and community members to gather around a shared hometown tradition.

Unity Seats pairs sheriffs or other law enforcement leaders with residents who hold opposing viewpoints, purchases their tickets and seats them together at a sporting event. Instead of approaching one another as adversaries, participants share the same section, watch the same action and experience the cheers and excitement that connect fans throughout the stadium.

For the sheriff’s office, the evening will be about more than the final score. Time in the stands can create room for honest conversation, respectful listening and personal connections that may be harder to build in a formal setting. Football offers common ground, giving participants a chance to learn about one another while supporting the students competing on the field.

Specific participants and postgame reflections will be highlighted after the event. The Unity Seats experience reflects the sheriff’s office’s commitment to strengthening relationships across Somerset County, even when neighbors do not agree on every issue. By sitting side by side under the Friday night lights, participants can show that differences do not have to prevent respect, conversation or a shared sense of community pride.