NATA's possible elimination of two-a-day's

The National Athletic Trainer's Association released a statement today concerning the future of two-a-day's in the month of August. According to the National Center for Catastrophic Injury Research since 1995 at least 39 football players across all levels have died from heat-related causes and most of those happened in August. The NATA's recommendations would include longer breaks between practices and more time for players to ease into contact drills, and said these recommendations mirror policies already in place at the Division I collegiate level. They also pointed to the death of a 15-year-old Kentucky boy last August after he collapsed on the first day of practice.

"Things aren't going very well at the high school level. We've had a couple of very bad years," said Douglas Casa, director of athletic training education at the University of Connecticut and co-author of the report for the Dallas-based association. "This wasn't done for the convenience of coaches."

Many of the proposals are stricter versions of rules already in place. In Florida, contact drills are prohibited during the first three days of practice. Under the recommendations by the athletic trainers association, teams shouldn't begin full contact until the sixth day of practice.

In Texas, schools must take a minimum one-hour break between practices during two-a-day's. The report released this afternoon would call for a minimum three-hour rest, and would limit the second practice of the day, during the first week to only a light walk-through without helmets or pads.

Click or copy the following link to download the "Preseason Heat-Acclimatization Guidlines for Secondary School Athletics"


Also, Hothead Technologies in Georgia unveiled a tiny sensor that can be placed inside the players helmets to monitor the players body temperature. However, at a cost of nearly $99 per helmet many school will likely not implement this technology.

Bandy to lead the Whirlwinds in 2009

Todd Bandy formerly of Whitewright Texas, was officially hired as the new Athletic Director for Floydada this past Friday. Bandy is no stranger to West Texas, growing up in Friona. "I know that's a district game that we have, and it's going to be fun being back here in West Texas and playing all of the West Texas towns." Said Bandy.

Bandy has had previous stops in Muleshoe, Brady, and Whitewright. While in Brady he led the Bulldogs past the Bi-district round in 2004, for the first time in 43 years. "Football in State of Texas is Football, that's the way I see it. The kids play hard and if you care about them enough, they're gonna turn it on for you and play."

With the exit of previous Athletic Director Rusty Purser, Coach Todd Bandy will have some vacancies to fill before beginning the 2009 season. "The first thing I've got to do is get some coaches hired. That's on my agenda right now. Second thing I've got to do is meet the kids and we've got to get our summer conditioning program started." Most two-a-day programs will begin on August 3rd.

Flores leaves Floydada a six time UIL Medalist

Aarrhon Flores began his day Friday probably just as he has every other day since he began High School. But, as the sun set over the west side stands at Mike Myers Stadium in Austin, Flores would end his day with two more U.I.L. State Track medals.

This year's first place finish in the 100 meter dash with a time of 10.81 would be good enough to make the WTAMU signee, a gold medalist in three separate events in the past two years. After a false start from Timodeus Roquemore from Queen City in lane 3, Flores would have to regain himself and concentrate on not leaning too much himself. "I was ready, my adrenaline was going and when that happened I had to shut it down a little bit, but God helped me, I brought it back together and pulled out a win." said Flores.

After a 5th place finish in the long jump early Friday morning, the competition in the running events would prove equally tough. "This year was pretty tough, we came in with the fastest time in the state in the 200 and that was the race I was looking forward to, I came up a little short, but I was happy, It was a good year."

Track Coach Desmond Ayala also said "It's been a joy to coach someone that does what you ask them to and put in a little more, It has made me a better coach!"

Flores will continue his education at West Texas A & M University in Canyon as a multi-sport athlete competing in both football and track.

Log onto www.uil.utexas.edu for complete results from this year's meet.

Live coverage begins now 106.1 FM 900 AM and 1310 AM

Flores fifth place finish long jump 21'9"

UIL State Track results will be posted here live from Austin this weekend