Alumni Athletics was born in California but is coming to South Carolina to give players a chance to play football with former teammates one more time, said organizer Cammeron Ripley.
“I’ve got a couple of friends out in California,” Ripley said. “One coaches high school football and a lot of his kids would come back and say, ‘I wish I could play just one more time.’”
“My friend thought about it, then bought some equipment, and put some alumni games together,” he continued. “It was a tremendous hit.”
Though players may have left the field, the drive to play never leaves them, Ripley said.
“There are a lot of guys out there between the ages of 20 – 35 who want to relive the glory days and play one more game,” he said. “We’re putting together rosters of high school alumni teams.”
There will four alumni games played on July 11 at a site to be announced later, Ripley said.
The games will be complete high school games with officials, kick-offs, punts, etc., he said.
The first eight teams to get a complete roster together will get to play, Ripley said.
All equipment – helmets, uniforms, shoulder pads, etc. – will be supplied to players.
In order to recoup the groups costs, each player will pay $75 to play, Ripley said.
But players have a chance to recoup that money will ensuring that the most important part of the game will be present — fans.
Organizers will sell players tickets to the game. Players can then sell those tickets to family and friends, Ripley said.
“That ensures the community will come out,” Ripley said.
Alumni Athletics is seeking players to reignite the following rivalries: Pickens-Daniel, Pickens-Easley, Easley-Wren, Daniel-Seneca, Daniel-Belton-Honea Path, Crescent-Pendleton, Belton-Honea Path-Palmetto, Hanna-Westside, J.L. Mann-Greenville, Southside-Carolina, Abbeville-Emerald, Greenwood-Emerald, Clinton-Greer, Clinton-Woodruff, Riverside-Eastside, Hillcrest-Mauldin, Wren-Palmetto, Dorman-
Spartanburg and Byrnes-Gaffney.
“If we have folks call from teams that aren’t on that list, we’ll start putting together a roster for that team,” Ripley said.
At least 11 players must sign up in order to have a team, but 30 players per team would be ideal, he said.
About 60 days will be needed to complete all rosters, Ripley said,
The group is also looking for facilities to rent or lease for the games, Ripley said.
For more information, or to join a roster, call either Ripley or Peter Smith at 864-356-3626.
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