Fathers, sons invited to get game face on

FLORENCE - Florence school officials are calling on the fathers of boys attending classes in kindergarten through fourth grade to get their game faces on in support of various activities Sept. 28.

The Florence City Schools' Fathers Initiative is in its second year and is hosted by University of North Alabama student-athletes.

Sporting activities and other games will be held on the Florence Middle School front lawn from 5-7 p.m. Sept. 28.

Autograph sessions with UNA athletes will be 5-5:15 p.m. and 6:45-7 p.m.

Coordinator Rena Roy, a social worker in the school district, said the role of father for the event can be extended to an adult brother, uncle, grandfather, male cousin, mentor or eighbor.

Roy said the activities for children include a full array of sports, including football, soccer and golf, along with other games such as three-legged races and dizzy izzy.

"This has been a very popular event in the past and it serves a wonderful purpose," Roy said. "The students are always thrilled to have their fathers watch them excel in the games, but to have assistance from these UNA student-athletes also is a really big deal for them."

The district's federal programs coordinator, Randy Pettus, said the event was well attended in 2008. He anticipates an even better turnout this year.

"We take every opportunity we can to get our parents on campus and working with their kids," Pettus said. "This is the fall event and there's a daddy-daughter dance for the same age group in February.

"It's a good, positive event that gets fathers, even absent fathers, involved."

Children are encouraged to wear a T-shirt and bring a sports ball or another item to be autographed.

Lisa Singleton-Rickman can be reached at 740-5735 or lisa.singleton-rickman@TimesDaily.com.