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Among other points, the most recent meeting of the Clark County Board of Education featured a discussion about Clark County Public Schools adding a fifth and sixth grade football team and the potential impact it might have on Clark County Youth Athletics. 

Recently, representatives from both organizations followed up to speak their thoughts and concerns. 

“We had been working on really aligning programming and getting our high school and junior high programs aligned,” said Clark County Public Schools Superintendent Dustin Howard. “The next step…was getting…fifth and sixth grade aligned and working with our GRC and RDC staff so that way we’re one big family that works together.” 

“We’ve done this for so long…we’ve been pulling the weight when it comes to the youth,” said Jimmy Day, President and Founder of Clark County Youth Athletics. “We’ve…got an organization that’s kind of got some gleam to it…we wanted to continue to…do this.” 

A section of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) mentioned at the most recent meeting and introduced by CCPS states the following: “This MOU permits CCYA with the non-exclusive right [to] utilize a certain football field owned by the School on the premises of Justice Elementary School located at 350 Mount Sterling Road, Winchester, KY 40391 (hereinafter referred to as the “Field”) which shall include the surrounding parking areas and concession stand areas, for youth football games and practices below grade five. CCYA’s use of the Field shall primarily be after school hours, and shall not interfere with regular School activities.” 

CCYA currently allows football for kids from ages four through twelve. 

As might be imagined, the matter has created some controversy. 

“We offer it for every child,” said Jessica Hopper, a football mom and cheerleading coach for the organization. “You’re not going to tell me those kids are going to get the same opportunity at school level sports. They’re not going to.” 

“I know that our Board of Education is going to sit down and really make a great product”, Howard said. “It’s one of the best sports because everybody can play whether you just are learning or have been doing it for a long time.” 

Staff for CCPS’ program is set to include George Rogers Clark High School Strength and Conditioning Coach as well as Head RDC Football Coach Dr. Chris Sharrock, who – according to information received – is a board certified Sports Physical Therapist and Sports Performance Coach. 

“I think we also are excited about not charging kids fees,” Howard said. “We’ll provide bus transportation aligning with KHSAA’s safety protocols, equipment checks certified annually, [and] all those things.” 

Along with 7on7 competition to implement offensive and defensive schemes, the program looks to have an 8-10 game schedule beginning in late July and finishing with the 6th grade Kentucky Middle School State Tournament. 

However, while noting potential challenges in putting a program together, CCYA also stated that interferences could include not being able to use the same resources traditionally used due to school occupation, as well as opportunities eliminated to participate in tournaments such as the Battle in Rocky Top National Championship. 

“My view is that if the school board [and] the athletic directors didn’t do this work last year, [it’s] going to be really hard for them to hit the ground [running],” said Day. “With that addendum on there, we would not have a place to play our fifth and sixth grade home games.”

The matter will be an agenda item at the next Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, March 25. 

While there may be disagreements about several matters, one thing that both sides can agree on is that football is capable of teaching strong lessons. 

“Without public school and without…lessons that football taught me as a young man, I wouldn’t be the man I am today,” Howard said. 

“They are family for [my son],” Hopper said.