Little Axe: Tony Smith back in, home games TBA…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
When will it stop for the Little Axe athletic program? The Indians have been through so much in the last couple of months and really have a heckuva lot more to still overcome.
The last time I checked in with Little Axe, the future was still up in the air and Jason Wheeler was excited about the future of the team.
Well, checked in with athletic director Paul Elkouri, and Wheeler is out and former coach Tony Smith is back in the saddle.
Wheeler has taken a job in DeSoto, Texas, and Elkouri said there are no hard/bitter feelings about it. Wheeler’s wife is from around that area, and it made all the sense in the world for him to accept the spot.
Can’t see it being too hard of an adjustment since Smith has been the leader of the resurgence of the program, but the Indians still have more issues to deal with.
The stadium.
Elkouri said at this point, it’s all about insurance money. Oy, everybody knows how that goes and you have no idea when that will get all settled.
He said, obviously, the bleachers, scoreboard and lights need to be replaced after all were destroyed in the tornado May 10.
The playing field is actually pretty good, but the bleachers will be an issue as Elkouri said it could take as long as two months for that project to be complete.
So where will the Indians play? It’s not set in stone yet, but Elkouri said he’s made good progress with Noble. He said Noble has been extremely cooperative and helpful during this time, but there are still a lot of details to iron out and things of that nature.
He hopes the team can be back home midway through the season, but he realizes the first part of the season is going to have to be at another site.
The fieldhouse took a huge hit, too, in the tornado. Right now, the coaches office and players locker room is back at the middle school gym. It’s not ideal by any means, but it’s the best they can do right now. ‘As soon as we can, we’re moving back in.’
Elkouri is in high spirits, and I think the way the LA administration has handled this has said a lot about the character of the community. In turn, that should help all the athletic teams as the kids have a great example to look up to with how to deal with the adversity.
The worst (we hope) is over, but it’s far from settled. Keep ya posted.
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