Righetti High School Commemorative Warrior Helmet Tunnel

For years, Tim Rothanzl actively supported his daughters' sports teams at Ernest Righetti High School. Now it was time to do something similar for his son Jacob, who was about to kick off his final year as a Righetti Warriors football player.

Together, Tim and his wife Debbie came up with an idea: a giant inflatable helmet tunnel, which they would donate to the school.

The idea had special meaning for the Rothanzls. For 12 years Debbie had been battling cancer, and her health was fading. One of her last wishes was to see Jacob run out of the field house through the inflatable tunnel.

Tim contacted Landmark Creations with an urgent request: Could the tunnel be constructed in time for Righetti's first home game? Landmark raced to complete the project in four weeks flat... just in time for the opening game.

Debbie had passed away in late July, so she wasn't there to see Jacob's entrance. However, Tim says, "She was smiling from Heaven."

Today the Warriors Memorial Helmet Tunnel is a fixture at Righetti football games and at wrestling matches, pep rallies, and graduations as well. "My wife and I hoped to draw more spirit and tradition to the school," explains Tim. Their donation does all that and more.

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What Others Say About Landmark Creations

“The setup is so easy. We have had event tents and other promotional items in the past that were a nightmare to set up and break down. The inflatable is now the easiest part of the setup, and probably the most identifiable.”

- Vaughan Cutillo, Montauk Brewing Company

“We knew Landmark was the only company that would be able to understand our vision and work to make it come to life.”

- P. Donaldson, American Cancer Society

“The likeness to our company mascot was amazing. We used the balloon at the Winn Dixie Home & Garden show ... and we have had rave reviews.”

- Christy Bernard, Tony Chachere’s

"We received our inflatable and gave it a test run Saturday afternoon. To be short; Excellent Work. Thanks again for all your efforts."

- Curtis Gadula, Brock University

"Our tunnel was also a great addition to our pre-game tradition: the Wildcat walk. Our city shuts down three blocks of downtown, and we have hundreds of fans lining the streets with a police escort, while we walk to the stadium."

- Sam Baker, Head Football Coach at Waconia High School

"Just wanted to say how much we LOVE our inflatables. We tested them in our lobby where they were, of course, an instant hit for school group photos. Our leadership was quite pleased with the durability and the realism."

- Mike Hennessy, Carnegie Science Center