By Mike Hutchens. UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Union City’s offseason football work will be on display May 1.
Golden Tornado head coach Nick Markle will showcase his troops and their strength/speed gains the past four months to family members and the program’s stakeholders at a Lift-A-Thon at War Memorial Stadium on that Saturday.
Some 30 varsity players will max-out with their respective power clean lifts, and the UC coaching staff will time players in the 40-yard dash while an audience watches from the bleachers.
The event will run from 10 a.m. until noon and will also serve as a fundraiser for the program.
Supporters may pledge either a dollar amount per-pound or make a flat donation in honor of their favorite player. Players will be soliciting businesses and persons in the community for sponsorships over the next few weeks.
Additionally, the program will offer for sale a number of game-worn Union City jerseys as well as a handful of used helmets to those wishing to purchase a piece of the program’s history. Helmets will sell for $50 each and jerseys – some purple, some white, some pink and some from the program’s first state title season in 2009 – can be purchased for $40.
Markle is eager for Purple and Gold fans to see the results of a rigorous offseason program.
“I think the people who support our kids and our program are going to be really excited with the gains we’ve made in the offseason,” said the coach, who’ll begin his second season at the helm in August. “It’s been a crazy four months with all the COVID concerns, but the kids have really worked hard.
“This (lift-a-thon/fundraiser) is something a little different from anything that’s been done here before. And I think our stakeholders will really enjoy watching it.”
Union City will begin its spring practice on Monday, May 3. Prohibited from scrimmaging another team due to TSSAA coronavirus protocols, the Tornadoes will focus on fundamentals and the basics during the time allotted for the drills.
“We’re looking to find out who ‘can,’ and who ‘can’t.’ We’re going to do a lot of individual work and really focus on the things that were our shortcomings last year,” concluded Markle, who said he expects around 45 on the roster – counting incoming freshmen – for next season’s squad.
The Tornadoes will open their 2021 campaign Aug. 20 with a home game vs. Lake County.