BACK TO THE BEGINNING

 For the second consecutive season officials with the Tri-County Sports Authority football program have been scrambling to try and find a place for hundreds of local children to play football and cheer.

Monday evening it was announced that the program is heading back to where it all started, the old Lynn Camp High School football field with opening day scheduled for Monday Aug. 24 when the Vikings play the Broncos and the Titans face the Dolphins at 6 p.m.

The move back to Lynn Camp comes as a result of the unfinished fields at the Corbin Civic Center on Gordon Hill. Several delays have been cited, but no matter what, TCSA Football Commissioner Mel Chandler Jr. said what’s important is that the kids have a place to play football. The only concern seems to be with parking at the old field, but Chandler said if that’s the case, the group has no troubles at all.

"We are just excited that we have got someone who was willing to embrace this program and give us a place to play," Chandler said. "Things worked out well two years ago when the group played there (Lynn Camp) so we are expecting it to go well again this year.

"If parking is the biggest thing we face then we are going to be fine," he added. "The way we see it, Lynn Camp played there football games at that field forever and they never had any problem with it, so why should we."

Another plus for the move, as opposed to playing at Corbin’s Miller Park will be the fact that fans and parents will actually have a place to sit and enjoy the game, even though they may have to walk a little further to get there.

"People are going to actually sit in the bleachers and watch the games instead of standing up against a fence or bringing a lawn chair," Chandler Jr. said. "So, they may have to walk a little bit and the parking nay be a little tight, but it will be worth it in the long run."

Chandler did say he wanted to give credit to all those involved in the program for their willingness to work through the adversity the group has faced over the past couple of years. He also said that it’s this willingness to work together toward a common goal that makes the program a success.

"We really have a great group of people involved in this organization, from all the directors all the way to the coaches," he said. "We have all fought through some issues in the past, but everyone involved knows the reason we are out there is for the kids.

"I give the guys credit for sticking together and finding the kids a place to play," he added.

Though the season will not start there, Chandler said city officials said there is a chance that the Civic Center fields may be complete before the current season is finished. As to whether the group will play on those fields is another question.

"They did tell us that the fields will be ready some time this season," Chandler Jr. said. "We’re in a position where we have a field to play on, so that is where we will play this season.

"As far as next year and where we will play, we will have to wait and take a look at that next year," he added.

The entire schedule can be seen on the group’s Website at www.tricountysportsauthority.com.