SCHOOL SPIRIT Stepping up

Clubs, community answer call to boost teams

— Football is a team sport. Not just on the field, but off the field during practice times and all those moments leading up to the games.

It takes a roster of active parents and volunteers contributing toward their team's goal. And just like how different styles of coaching bring out the best in players, there are also different ways organizations and individuals take part in keeping team morale high.

BATESVILLE

For Patsy Long of Batesville, there's no age limit to showing her school spirit. She and a crew of volunteers get up at 4 a.m. every Friday during football season and head to Calvary Baptist Church in Batesville to set up and serve a full spread of eggs, sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy,cereals, milk and juice. The meal feeds the Pioneer football players, coaches, cheerleaders and dance squad.

"All four of my kids went to Batesville," Long, 72, said. "My daughter is a teacher there, and I have a grandson who does the sound and lighting on the field. Once a Pioneer, always a Pioneer."

Breakfast starts at 7 a.m. and includes a talk from a local speaker. The speakers, from various denominations and professions, "share thoughts, stories, wisdom and truths from God's Word with the players before they are sent on their way to tackle the day ahead and later, the opposing team," said Mark Cartwright, youth ministry leader at Calvary Baptist.

"I love those little football boys," Long said. "It's wonderful."

The breakfast has grown into a much-anticipated event the players look forward to each year.

"Head coach Dave King has said often, 'One of the first things I'm asked when we begin practices each summer is "'Are we having that breakfast again this year?"'" Cartwright said. "They really look forward to it."

When Friday night rolls around, Long can be found at the games wearing orange and black, the school's colors.

"I holler, 'Go pioneers,'" Long said, laughing. "I love to watch them play. The best part is when one of the boys who used to come to the breakfast asks if I'm still cooking and wants to come. I tell them if they're in town, they're always welcome."

"She is the No. 1 Batesville Pioneer football fan," said Sandra Long Liles, Long's daughter.

CABOT

The athletic office at Cabot High School is the nerve center for sports-focused, organized spirit activities.

Football season starts off with the Football Frenzy, an event where the team is introduced, including the ninth-grade players, the cheerleading squad and the band. A local bank contributes by providing food and refreshments.

"Everybody gets excited about the season," said Pam Clem, who works in the athletic office.

The office sells an array of Panther gear such as T-shirts, hats, jewelry and license plates, Clem said.

So far, the most popular selling T-shirt has been one that reads Peace Loving Panthers.

On game days, "people show up," Athletic Director Johnny White said. "Our stadium can hold 6,500.

We average around 5,000. It's a fun thing to come to games. People have seen their kids grow up together so it lets people enjoy being among friends." And during games, mini footballs are thrown around and Panther T-shirts are given away.

SEARCY

The Searcy Lionbackers primary focus is supporting all the athletes and athletic department at Searcy High School, Athletic Director James Frank said. For example, the organization can assist with the purchase of lettermen jackets, state championship rings for a team or a new sign that is needed for run-throughs.

A first for the Lionbackers this year is the Searcy Lionfest, which was held at Lions Stadium on Aug. 21.

"The event was not just for the football team but for all student athletes from ninth grade and up," said Franklin Powell, president of the Lionbackers.

"Every student athlete was on the football field. We welcomed them to a new year of athletics and introduced them to the crowd."

The Lionbackers have a solid backbone of board members instrumental in fundraising, membership drives and selling Lionbackers cards. This year's members include Powell, Rhonda Woodruff, Robby Eades, Deral Casteel, Gina Scarbrough, Kent Bruxbort, Wes Cole, Tina Hudgins, Greg Rowden, Randy Freeman and James Frank.

Special, Pages 179 on 08/23/2009

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