Olney Cubs take the field
Aug. 3, after a long drought from high school sports due to the school shut down over COVID-19 restrictions, the Olney Cubs took the field to begin practice for the upcoming 2020-2021 Cubs football season.
During practice, you could see the smiles through the helmets as these Cubs were happy and excited to be able to play sports again after such a long break.
Olney ISD Athletic Coordinator and Head Coach of the Olney Cubs gave some insight into the upcoming season and practices for the Cubs. Coach Guy said the Cubs will have splash guards for the Cubs Helmets during play and neck gaiters for when the athletes have their helmets off. Each player has their own water bottle to not cross contaminate and will have the athletes mask up in the locker rooms.
“We are going to do everything we are supposed to do to keep the players and coaches safe,” said Coach Guy.
Coach Guy said this year will have the Cubs up in numbers, with close to 55 players for football. Some of the kids have kept up with off-season workouts throughout Spring and Summer. Coach Guy said the players are excited to be back in training, and even though you couldn’t always see the smiles through the helmet, There will be an inner squad scrimmage on both Aug. 8 and Aug. 15 beginning at 9 a.m. at Cub Stadium. These scrimmages are open to the community to come out to watch. The third week of August will see the Cubs scrimmage against Haskell. Coach Guy said Olney ISD will be broadcasting the games this year, but as of now they are still working out the logistics. The coaches will work out the kinks of how to broadcast over the next few weeks to have a plan in place for the season.
When asked about the B.R.U.I.N.S. this year, the coaches are still working on a plan to help make this happen in a safe manner. Coach Guy did say the B.R.U.I.N.S. program is a go, but at what level, is still in the works. The B.R.U.I.N.S. is a mentorship program that places local men of the community with Cub football players to help support the players throughout the football season. In the past, the B.R.U.I.N.S. met on Friday mornings with their players for a breakfast at The Refuge, where the men would offer their support to the Cubs, not only for the upcoming game but for everyday life as well. B.R.U.I.N.S. will also attend all games, write notes to their player to be read before the game and meet the players as they enter and exit the field--showing support win or lose among other activities to show support of the Cubs.
For more information about joining the B.R.U.I.N.S. please email Coach Guy at jguy@ olneyisd.net or call 940-564-8637. Remember, the Cubs count on the community’s support. Olney Cub fans wear red and cheer on their Cubs at Cub Stadium during home games on Friday. Fight on Cubs!!!