Albany football coaches are expecting almost 50 players to show up Monday for summer workouts – or two-a-days – representing an increase by several players over last year.

The Lions will meet at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 6 for the opening workout. Equipment will be handed out, followed by the first practice of the season for the high school players.

Practice will continue in the mornings through Aug. 10,  with practices shifting the following week to the afternoons on days the coaching staff has teachers meetings.

Runners interested in participating in cross country track this fall met Wednesday, Aug. 1 to organize for the season.

Coach Tate Thompson handed out the required forms for runners to have signed by parents in order to participate.

The coach discussed the workout schedule for the upcoming season, along with the scheduled meets.

Thompson said that he has three or four girls returning, along with one male runner. He noted that anyone who wants to participate can still sign up by contacting him at the school.

The deadline for placing ads in the 2018 Albany High football program has been extended until Monday, Aug. 6, according to Albany Athletic Booster Club president Mindy Ary.

Ads in the magazine-type program cost $225 for a full page, $120 for a half page, $60 for a quarter page, or $30 for business card size.

The programs are sold at each of the home football games. Proceeds from the ads are typically the Booster Club’s largest fundraiser of the year and are used to help promote all high school and junior high school sports.

Members of the Albany varsity and junior varsity football teams will be in full pads on Friday, Aug. 10 for team and individual photos to be taken at Robert Nail Stadium.

The Lions and their coaches will gather at 2:00 p.m. after the morning practice.

The photos will be used for publicity, as well as in the football program.

Players can also order individual photo packages.

Cheerleader and volleyball pictures have not yet been scheduled, but will probably be taken next week.

Everyone is invited to come out to the Bank Park the evening of Monday, Aug. 13 and meet the players, coaches, and cheerleaders that will represent Albany High during the fall sports season and for a few dollars they can also enjoy a freshly cooked hamburger meal and desert.

Albany Athletic Booster Club’s Ice Cream Supper also gives club members a chance to connect with other fans and encourage them to join the Boosters, sign up team parents, and market items from the Spirit Shop.

Ice Cream Supper

High school volleyball players will return to the court next Wednesday for summer workouts, with high football players following a few days later to prepare for the 2018 season.

The volleyball girls will start practicing on Wednesday, Aug. 1, with the football program beginning on Monday, Aug. 6.

Coaches for both programs are anticipating an increase in numbers this season if all the athletes who expressed intentions to play show up for workouts, also referred to as two-a-days.

The 2018 football program will be sent to the printers next week, and everyone who still wants to help support the local high school and junior high athletes, encourage a student at the secondary school, and/or promote their business by placing an ad in the magazine-type program is asked to do so as soon as possible.

“Sales have been going well,” said Albany Athletic Booster Club treasurer Shawnee Tischler. “But we still have room for some more ads. Please get them to us ASAP!”

The Albany Athletic Booster Club will meet at the high school library on Monday, July 30, at 6:00 p.m. and everyone interested in joining the organization is encouraged to attend.

Items on the agenda include turning in ads for the football program, planning the Ice Cream Supper, and discussing team parents.

Ice Cream Supper

The Booster Club will host the annual Ice Cream Supper on Monday, Aug. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Bank Park.

New head coaches have been named for both the Moran Bulldogs and the Lady Bulldogs, just in time for them to get organized and ready to go for the start of the fall sports season. 

Harley Ethridge, who coached in Oglesby in 2017, is the new athletic director and head boys coach.

Dakota Fowler has been reassigned from some of her classroom duties to take over PE and girls athletics, and will be the Lady Bulldogs’ head coach.

With the start of the fall sports seasons less than two weeks away, preparations are in full swing for summer workouts for both volleyball and football.

The volleyball girls will start practicing on Wednesday, Aug. 1, with the football program beginning on Monday, Aug. 6.

Based on interest shown in May by local students, coaches are expecting more participants than last year.

Volleyball Workouts