Hargrave seeks support for initiatives with varsity football, baseball, basketball and in general athletic support for the 2010/2011 athletic year.

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Hargrave Military Academy looks forward to the 2010-2011 Athletic school year with great enthusiasm. Several of our athletic teams are looking very strong for their respective seasons, and overall the Academy is very positive on the upcoming sports year.

Because of this, there is a sincere grassroots effort to provide additional support to several of the Academy’s athletic teams. Hargrave’s Athletic, Development and Communications departments are aggressively seeking any support to meet these athletic needs.

The focus is on several areas, which include varsity football, all baseball teams, all basketball teams, the weight room and general athletic support.

There are several items that need to be addressed. If you’re in a position to assist in any capacity, your involvement would be greatly appreciated. Please talk to Coach Tim Oditt, Director of Athletics – 434-432-2690, or CPT Brian Kramer, Director of Development – 434-432-3185, direct on how you can help. Or donate securely online With Hargrave’s Click and Pledge partner.

A summary of these needs follows:

Varsity Football: There are two fantastic developments with Hargrave’s varsity football program for Fall 2010. First, Coach Chris Wilson joins the staff. His football know-how is extensive, and we are all quietly awaiting his impact on Coach David Tavenner’s program.

Second, a donor has already stepped forward to provide new football jerseys for the team. (This is the first mention of it.) The coaching staff feels strongly this development will help get our boys excited and motivated about their team and the new season. However, game pants and other gear also need replacement to gain the full effect.

The Hargrave Varsity Football team seeks the following: New football game pants for the entire team; five new helmets; five sets of shoulder pads for a complete cost of $5,000; one new five-man practice blocking sled for a cost of $3,600. Total cost $8,600 for the season.

Baseball: The Rogers-Fuller Baseball Facility is a fantastic playing area, but both use and weather have taken its toll on the grass infield. It is no longer graded properly, and water is starting to pool in the section, killing the grass and creating a bog.

‘To do it right,’ the varsity baseball team seeks $20,000 for the materials and field work. Their desire is to complete the task soon so the surface is ready for spring.

Basketball: A high use sports area is the Davis Gym. The athletic space has recently seen major improvements to its roof, court floor and bleachers. However, exceptionally high use by the Post-Graduate, varsity, JV and middle school basketball programs, plus its continued use as a popular free time space, has already worn the varnish from parts of the new floor.

To maintain peak performance of the Davis Gym, $3,500 is sought to re-surface the floor.

General Athletic Support: About two or three years ago the athletic service cart, (basically a golf cart), was completely worn out and failed as a important support tool. The service cart is used by most sports teams to deliver water, ice and medical supplies quickly to a team’s location. In the case of a sports injury, it is used by all teams to transport the injured to the infirmary. There is a great need for this service to return.

Optimally, Athletics seeks a Gator Utility Vehicle of any model. A Gator is great a hauling gear and minimizing damage to Hargrave’s fields and turf.

Most of Hargrave’s athletes use the Grant Gym weight room. The room sees heavy use, and the simple dumbbell is used extensively. Dumbbells from 2 ½ lbs to 50 lbs tend to break after excessive use and the occasional dropping. There is a great need to restore what has been lost and increase the total number available. These weights generally go for a dollar per pound.

A Gator Utility Vehicle for athletics is about $7,000. To restock and grow the dumbbell racks, approximately $1,000 is needed.