HACKETT, Ark. -- The Hackett Hornets are turning to an unusual source for raising money for their football program.
Scrap metal.
The team is inviting anyone to drop off any scrap metal they may have at a dumpster by the football field. It’ll be hauled away and sold, and the money will go towards paying for new helmets and game jerseys.
“[It was] just an idea I came up with off the top of my head,” said Hackett head coach Eddie Ray, of the first scrap metal drive two years ago. “We tried it and it worked out really well. We hauled off a lot of metal, made about $2,000 off of it. We’re going to try it again this time and see how it goes. It might turn into something we do every few years or so.”
A new Arkansas Activities Association rule says that helmets older than 10 years cannot be re-conditioned and re-used.
“That forced us to have to buy about 22 new helmets to make sure we have enough helmets for next year,” Ray said.
Along with the helmets, the team needs new game jerseys, as well as yearly expenses such as field paint, footballs and medical supplies. All told, the cost could be as much as $15,000.
“If we could make half of what we’re spending, I would be really pleased,” Ray said.
The scrap metal drive runs through April 16, and the Hornets begin spring practice May 7.