WHAT'S GOING ON?

We asked Vicki Ritchey, G-A school district athletic director, to explain the seeming discrepancy.

In the past, the gym was peppered with banners recognizing various teams and athletes for their honors. The flags have since been replaced with championship boards, with the successes organized into categories.

Long before Ritchey was hired as AD, she said the school changed course to the current preferred method of honoring participants in the sports program. The boards now list the basketball 1,000 point scorers, and league, district and state championships. Each boys and girls sport is identified, along with the year of the achievement.

The unique basketball sign came along with the new scoreboard, which was donated by private, and anonymous, citizens. The sign’s location is logical, Ritchey said, “because basketball is played in the gym.”

The softball team has not been slighted. She added, “Their recognition is at the field where they play.”

A sign proclaiming the state championship win on June 12, 2009 is situated at the home field near the elementary school. It was also paid for by private funds.

If anyone wants to donate a particular sign to the district, it must be approved by the school board, she said.