Football

Football

Sentiment is increasing to try to add a football program at Rappahannock County High School.

Also needed is the realization that this is a very expensive proposition and that just adding football will not, in and of itself, increase school pride and improve performance on and off the athletic fields. A successful football program might do these things. An unsuccessful one would probably do more harm than good.

A consulting firm has estimated that $614,000 would provide the facilities as well as a track, but the cost goes beyond that. It includes paying a coaching staff and uniforms that cost more than any uniforms the Boosters’ Club has so far provided. Revenue from football gate receipts could help offset those costs, but revenue is, at least partly, related to the success of the team.

The current practice of assigning coaching duties to any teacher willing to undertake a coaching position has produced more failures than successes. The school administration feels teachers must be hired primarily for their teaching abilities. That makes sense, but athletic success will then depend on finding other people for coaching positions and paying them stipends that make all the long hours and hard work seem worthwhile. The current policy of preferring any school system employee for coaching positions over any outsider must be scrapped.

Just as great teachers have a gift for teaching, so do great coaches have a gift for coaehing.

When the people of Rappahannock County want something badly enough the money is forthcoming. The county has a new library because of private fund raising. The Catholics have a new church because of private fund raising. Only time will tell whether the people of Rappahannock County want a football program badly enough to, raise the money for it.