Tonight, Greenville will play its last football game of 2025. They play a division I team, Troy at Troy. Troy will have 70 plus players, Greenville about 45. Troy is Division I, Greenville is Division III, and a mid-division III team at best. Can Greenville beat Troy? Absolutely! But let’s be honest, it would be a monumental upset.
Greenville’s Senior Class has endured so much losing, yet, to their credit and character, they have stayed to play. They are people to be emulated, and I hope the Junior High and underclassmen follow their example, because they have set a good one!
I believe that some good has come of the last three years. We have seen what can happen, but we have also seen what is needed to compete in today’s athletics. One, it takes people; people willing to sacrifice their time to make a winning program. It takes facilities —facilities that improve all athletes’ performance —and it takes a school administration that values the students who represent their school system.
First, we need more male students to go out for football. Yes. IT IS HARD, yes, it does take time, and yes, you might not play. Let’s be honest, most things you accomplish in life will be hard, they will take time to achieve, and you might not achieve your goals because you are just not good enough.
There, I said it. Not everybody is a good athlete, but being a part of something bigger is a great teacher of teamwork, sacrifice, and achievement. I know there are young men in the High School who SHOULD be playing football. I have seen them.
Why are they not? Is it parents? Is it a lack of knowledge about the game? Whatever it is, those who are playing now need to get on their friends and try to get them to come out. Greenville needs the numbers! You have a coach who is all in; those playing now are all in, so let’s get everybody else all in!
Greenville has no real weight room or wrestling facility. They were in the plans before, but I don’t know what happened. I am sure it was financial, but it shouldn’t have been. Greenville is financially sound —that’s a good thing —but money needs to be spent on the athletes.
I am personally asking the new Superintendent, Julie Jones, to make a commitment to get these two facilities done! It is crazy we are so far behind! Ms. Jones, these facilities were needed when you and I went to school here (I am a little older….well, maybe more than a little!), so you know the need. We can’t get better if we are not stronger in all sports. That’s just the way it is now. Let’s not handicap the athletes —male and female —any longer and give them what they need to succeed. Please!
To the rest of the administration, get on board and figure this out…..NOW! Every day you procrastinate, our athletes suffer. The school suffers from having fans who are completely uninterested because their sons and daughters can’t compete fairly, then attendance AND revenue go down.
We have lost so many transfers —it is not funny —and you should have been asking yourselves why. There is a reason, and all you have to do is look at some of the facilities around us. Some have left too because of coaching….I know, I have talked to them.
Good coaches, like Jerrod Newland (look at that record!), attract good athletes, even from other schools! I do believe we have upgraded some coaches tremendously, and I am thankful for that, but let’s not stop there either; let’s take a look at our teachers, too, and make sure they are the best for all our students!
I know we are going to get some new board members. I do not envy them. I know how hard it can be….BUT, that is your job, so dig in, find out the problems, and FIX THEM! I do know this: if you do what’s right and not what’s easy, you will be yelled at and cursed, but proven right in the end! (been there, done that!)
I want to applaud the coaching staff of the Greenville football team. You have done wonders with what you have had to work with. Your players should be proud of what they have shown others about character, drive, and commitment. You should be proud!
I also want to thank the athletes’ parents. Your relentless support of your athlete, the team, cheerleaders, and band is to be commended. Thank You!
And finally, I would like to wish the new Superintendent and new board members good luck and the courage to do what is right. Leadership is hard when everyone else has a different opinion and doesn’t want money spent. But I want you to remember these words. Admiral Halsey once told his officers after they asked him what they should do. Admiral Halsey looked them in the eye and said, “When you are in command, COMMAND!”
School board, do what’s right for our athletes!
That’s the way I see it … from the sidelines!
