StingEmALTO

Gotcha. I wouldn't expect the next one to be treated any differently.

Well.....maybe....but not in this case however. 100% support, love (as testified above), and even compensation. Coach Meeks was ready for a bigger school; that is what he has been associated with most of his life and this was a great opportunity. I don’t think there is one more thing we could’ve done to keep him. So what you said above may apply to some situations, but not this one.

We always have high expectations around here. Lol “Unrealistic?” Depends on what you are referring to. District champs? Region champs? State champs? We are one year removed from our latest of 26 district championships. We have played for the region championship 12 times, won the region 4 times, played for the state championship 3, and won 2. We have 39 playoff appearances and 18 10-win seasons with 11 undefeated regular seasons. I don’t think it is unrealistic to think we can compete for a district championship next year. The upcoming juniors and seniors were 10-0 when they were JV and undefeated junior high champs as 7th and 8th graders. Yes, our expectations are high because we have seen what they can do and how hard they are working. Win state next year? It would be one of the greatest turn arounds probably in Texas HS football history if that were to happen. I’d take it! Last season was tough but returning all but two starters is encouraging. We finally began clicking the last several games and have taken that momentum into the off season. With the help of an (undefeated in district) champion JV things are looking good for next season!

I am sharing this message because we have one heck of a superintendent. She personifies the word “leader” and what she said could not have been put any better. Don’t come after her! She’s a hometown girl and not going anywhere. Lol She was a teacher at Alto Elementary, then middle school principal for over a decade and then the board (all men!) made the wise decision to promote her to superintendent. She has handled every curve ball thrown at her with grace, common sense, and the students’ best interest in mind. Her excellent leadership is second to none. The new athletic director will enjoy being part of her TEAM! Warning: Come ready to work! I venture to say that much of what she said about Coach Meeks below could be said of HER! Kelly West 2/26/2021: (worth the read) Not Goodbye ..... Just See You Later All aspects of the coaching profession embody a collection of excitement, challenges, surging highs, deep lows, physically and mentally demanding work, and the constant anticipation for what lies ahead. Coaches can have a profound impact on student-athletes, schools and communities in so many ways. Coach Meeks has been the true essence of leadership in his three years with us: Influencing our young student-athletes, bringing everyone together for a common cause, taking ownership of the program, and working with a purpose. He has embodied honor, integrity and professional ethics. He has served as a wonderful role model for our kids. He has been totally committed to his job and has been unconditionally loyal to those he has served. And during this past fall when wins were hard to come by, he found a way to rise above it all and stay the course. He never lost sight of the team's true purpose. Courageous coaches always have a vision of those kids who are looking for guidance, support, inspiration and a game plan for success. Those are the really important things athletes can take with them and use as long as they live. Great coaches know that the basic foundation of leadership is formed with respect and trust. Without leadership, your team doesn’t stand a chance. Eventually, it will crumble under the stress of adversity — and adversity is inevitable. Young people will follow a leader whose vision inspires them and adds meaning to their lives. Athletes look to coaches as being a difference maker. Coaches can and do make a difference in their lives. Coach Meeks, One final word of appreciation from a mother of a child who was blessed to be coached under your leadership.... You have been important in so many aspects of these young people’s lives. For some, you have been the closest, strongest, most prominent representation of a parental figure some of them will ever know. You have been the first one they come to when they need advice, counseling or a shoulder to cry on. As they grow into adulthood and hard times are facing them, they will likely call on you to give them the strength they need to see it through. And you may be the one they will forever thank for coming into their lives and providing the direction they so desperately needed. To some, you may even be the one they will say saved their life. These young athletes want, need and crave structure and discipline with compassion. They yearn for positive role models. Sure, they may not admit it now, but eventually they will. My son will always love you and this mother will always hold you in the highest of regards. We wish you years of success on the journey ahead and thank you for the love and leadership you have shown to Alto ISD!

Coach Meeks was 21-13 overall.

The AD/HFC position has been posted today 2/26/2021 and will close 3/7/2021. See links below: https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1614348294/altoesc7net/jlnj5h2kkxxazjfkv2gf/AltoISDAD-HFCJobApp.pdf https://www.alto.esc7.net/departments/business-servicesemployment-opportunities

Coach Meeks has assembled an awesome coaching staff over the last three years with high quality, hard working men who have been 100% vested in our kids. Every resume will get a hard look and be considered. I am not going to speculate or throw out names here. That’s not me. The process begins today and we will see where it leads us.

First of all, congratulations to Coach Meeks on his new position as AD/HFC of the Center Roughriders. I know that he will do a tremendous job as their new leader. A little more than 3 years ago our district had approximately 125 applicants for this position, and Coach Meeks’ name rose to the top. In looking back through the historical data of previous Alto head coaches, most have either come to us with head coaching experience OR have earned the position by being a great Alto assistant and promoted. Coach Meeks was an OC at Tatum with no HC experience. BUT HE WAS ABSOLUTELY READY. His organization, work ethic, practice & game planning, high energy, love for kids & community, and ALL-IN attitude was evident from the very beginning. I tip my hat to the committee who did the work and recognized that he was a good fit for Alto. Fast forward to now. The open position will be posted on Friday and we will be looking for our next leader. THE GUY will come into a good situation with plenty of support from the administration, board, community, and booster club. We were very young last season playing 9 sophomores much of the time. All starters from last season return with the exception of 2 graduating seniors. The JV team was the district champion. These boys are used to hard work and will be very motivated. From morning and afternoon workouts to strength & conditioning in the summer, they are accustomed to working and pushing each other...many as 7th graders since that first spring with Coach Meeks. The coaches have been phenomenal in their development. We want the next man to come in and build on this. We have great tradition and a community that has persevered through a lot over the years. From the loss of one of our beloved players on the football field to the devastating tornadoes that ripped our town and school apart, we have remained together.....a family. Friday night football in Alto is special. The community always rallies around our kids and it is 100% the place to be on Friday nights, whether we are home or away. The crowds are there. It will be a pretty quick process. The job will be posted for 10 days and then interviews will begin. I believe the committee plans to hire the second or third week of March. There is no time to waste! Time is of the essence. I am hopeful we get a great applicant pool and that THE GUY will rise to the top....that he will come in here with his hair on fire ready to lead our Mean Sting to the next level. Some of us who have players with one or two years left know we have to get it right. Our kids only get one shot at the high school experience. We have a great foundation and we are ready to build on it!

Congratulations Lindale!! Cinderella is going to the ball!

Ticket info: (scroll to the bottom!) https://www.newcaneyisd.org/Page/11663

Oops! I fixed it. Thanks Greezy!

Shiner: 50 ppg offense 12 ppg defense Timpson: 53 ppg offense 10 ppg defense Gonna be a battle royale I think. I’m going with Timpson in a shocker by a TD.

Congrats on making school history Timpson! Now go get Shiner and get Region 3 back to the state game!

Good luck Tenaha! Hope you take them.

Timpson!

I’m not generally a complainer but these two East Texas schools did not do East Texas football fans a favor by playing in Henderson. Super nice venue but just not large enough for a Regional Final. I understand that SFA (seats 14,575) was reserved for Kilgore and Lindale Friday night but wish they could have made something happen on a different day/time or perhaps Rose Stadium (seats 12,500) or Lobo Stadium (seats 9,250). Attended Friday night with my kids at the Timpson/Garrison game at SFA and enjoyed it. All of East Texas was represented and was treated to a pretty good ballgame. Was planning to go to the quarterfinal game but not gonna happen because it will basically be for only hometown folks....which is great for them; just not great for East Texas. (You have to show up at the respective school and stand in line to get a ticket.) Region 1 (Cisco-Post) is playing at Abilene Christian University Wildcat Stadium (this was actually moved from Pirate Park at First United in Lubbock to allow for more fans). (seats 12,000) Region 2 (Bosqueville-Crawford) is playing at Waco/Hewitt Midway (seats 8,947). Region 3 (Beckville-Timpson) is playing at Henderson (seats 5,647). Region 4 ((Refugio-Shiner) - Alamo Dome; 1:00 kickoff on Friday! (seats 72,000). Not large enough for a game to decide the region; they could’ve done better in my opinion. Good luck to both teams. I believe Timpson makes history and advances to the semi-finals.

Mine, too! It’s kind of like Christmas without all the stress.

Hey Wolfman. Here ya go: https://sfajacks.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventInfo?ticketCode=GS%3ASFASU%3AF20%3AF07%3A&linkID=sfasu&shopperContext=&pc=&caller=&appCode=&groupCode=&cgc=

Normangee

He was 22. Tragic. Prayers for his family.

FYI. Link to buy tickets for this game: https://sfajacks.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventInfo?ticketCode=GS%3ASFASU%3AF20%3AF07%3A&linkID=sfasu&shopperContext=&pc=&caller=&appCode=&groupCode=&cgc=

Oh wow. Congratulations Normangee. Great fight Carlisle! Y’all battled until the end.

Plenty of time.

Let’s gooooo!!!!