Concession stand partnership brings community together in Rossville

The Rossville Athletic Center and city of Rossville are teaming up with Ridgeland High School's Touch Down Club to help keep revenue in the city.

The Touch Down Club will be operating the concession stands at the Rossville recreational fields from now on, and all earnings will be divided: 40 percent to the city and 60 percent to the club. Chad Rogers, the recently elected Rossville athletic director, made the decision to discontinue the use of outside contractors for the recreation concession stand and brought in Touch Down booster club president, Erica Harris to oversee the project.

photo From left are Scotty Byrd, Debbie Byrd, Jacob Byrd, Hunter Kaufhold, Erica Harris, Emalee Harris, Alex Williams and Nico Lewis.

The money generated from concession sales will raise the funds needed for drug tests, charter buses, pre-game meals, uniforms and workout clothing, trainer fees, equipment and the beautification and upkeep of the stadium.

"As parents, we're used to paying. But if parents and players come out and work, these costs can be covered and won't come out of our pockets anymore," Harris said.

Head football coach Mark Mariakis said he believes it will be a win-win for everyone.

Each player who volunteers their time to work the concession stand will receive monetary credit for each hour worked. That money will be deposited in an account which Mariakis has set up for the players.

Besides helping raise money, Harris said it becomes a fellowship for the players as they build relationships off the field.

"We are showing the community we are a team on and off the field," said Ridgeland High School sophomore Hunter Kaufhold. "We are coming together in a work environment that is teaching us team work, responsibility and leadership."

Many of the recreation tournament participants are students of surrounding area schools and the chance this new arrangement gives them to see the players is just as much a treat as the wide variety of concession goods they will be selling.

"The kids come up to the stand and recognize we are from Ridgeland's football team and tell us how they can't wait to play football at Ridgeland," Kaufhold said.

The long-term goal for the Touch Down Club is to see money raised affect and benefit this year's players and players for years to come, Harris said.

"It's fun, hard work and the volunteers say they are really glad they came out," Harris said. "We're hoping by the time these kids get to high school they will be able to see the results."

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