The Burke Parks and Recreation Commission has provided organized sports for our county youth for many years now. With 42 teams and more than 800 boys ready for football, players will suit up in four age groups this season.
Pre-pee wees are made up of 5 and 6-year-olds, pee wees are 7 and 8, mighty mites are 9 and 10, while the oldest group is midgets, comprised of ages 11 and 12.
School districts are used as boundaries for the teams, and each district elects its own board and officers. They are responsible for the funds it takes to field four teams. Money comes from donations, player fees, and admission and concessions from games.
The district board of directors selects coaches and makes sure the youth in their area are placed in the age divisions properly.
The same setups are used for other sports as well. The Commission offers boys and girls basketball, baseball, softball, indoor and outdoor soccer and cheerleading. Last year, it took 170 teams to meet the demand for indoor soccer.
Elementary school districts not represented at the present time can apply and become a part of the program. They may choose any or all of the sports available for their youngsters. The startup cost for a new football program would exceed $30,000 for equipment.
Each district has a coordinator who attends the games and reports all needed information to the County Rec Department. That person also works with school officials of his district to schedule use of facilities.
None of this could happen without great planning and organization. This comes from the Commission, headed by director Gary Craigo. His office provides schedules, game officials, scorekeepers and results to all the teams and the media. They plan season-ending playoffs and their locations, and hope to have the football championships at Patton High this year.
Treg McGee is the Commission’s athletic director and Debbie Smith does office work and plans special events. Tony Brittain assists with the work also.
The County Recreation Commission is made up of 12 members who work closely with the county manager and Burke County Board of Commissioners. Kevin Reese serves as its chairman and John Watson, a long-time supporter of the program, is vice chairman.
Hundreds of people are needed to operate such a vast program. From players and coaches to parents, fans, administrators, game officials, gatekeeper and concessions-stand operators – it’s a big-time operation.
The county has a very strict set of rules the teams play under. Coaches are required to sign a pledge, and parents a contract, each stating that they will provide proper leadership and conduct. This is such a good program we can all be proud of and lend our needed cooperation and support.
We also must realize one bad scene could mean the end to all this good. These games are so crucial to the development of our youth, both physically and socially. They are one of the last good ways left for children to be taught discipline.
Coaches, we especially thank you for the dedication and sacrifice. You have an awesome job. Our youngsters will remember the lessons you taught them long after they forget the wins and losses.
Remember, in every game there is a loser for every winner. But in the “game of life,” we are all winners when we help such a fine program as this do its intended job.
Roy Waters was the baseball and basketball coach from 1955 to 1966 at Salem High School where his teams won 18 championships. In 2007, he was inducted into the Burke County Sports Hall of Fame.
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