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Here’s the story. An energized athletic director
listens to the call, finds support and money in
the community, and puts a basic plan together to bring football to Rappahannock County Public Schools and to the community. No public funds are required in year one of the proposed program, and the possibility exists that the program will become selfsustaining within five years.
If a football program is initiated, neither boys soccer, girls softball, boys and girls basketball, the band, the forensics team, the 4-H club, nor any other extracurricular endeavor will be negatively impacted. In fact, if data from other schools can be believed, a football program could quite possibly contribute real dollars to other sports and school activities.
A football program would engage students who have not otherwise been drawn to athletics, or really to school in any form for that matter, and would require the involvement of more cheerleaders and perhaps even a marching band.
Many small communities have high school football as their Friday night focus—entire communities come out to see one another, and to see their boys play . .. and to pay a few dollars for that pleasure—dollars that are used to sustain school athletic programs, to build and maintain fields, and to buy athletic equipment.
' Boys who otherwise have not availed themselves of athletic and academic opportunities have turned into educated and fit young men because of football, and because of the academic requirements most often a condition of playing the game. ; Children who otherwise look for themselves in a Six-pack of beer or a joint or two have found direction and focus because of football, and some have gone on to stellar careers in the game.
Where’s the downside? The few and very vocal critics who have come forth bemoan the cost. . . the harm to academics . . . the negative impact on other sports . . . the donations to football that might better be used.
What is the problem with football? What is the true complaint and the real fear? It just does not seem possible—especially in light of the information presented so far—that there is any compelling reason not to heed the call.
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