A new day, a new way of winning; Midnight Madness marks new era in IHS Athletics

Image: First-year Italy Lady Gladiator Volleyball head coach, Morgan Mathews, addresses parents and players during a 7:30 p.m. meeting inside Italy Coliseum on Sunday evening as part of Midnight Madness with 12:01 a.m. practice time soon to arrive.

First-year Italy Lady Gladiator Volleyball head coach, Morgan Mathews, addresses parents and players during a 7:30 p.m. meeting inside Italy Coliseum on Sunday evening as part of Midnight Madness with 12:01 a.m. practice time soon to arrive. (Barry Byers)

With a new day dawning for Italy ISD’s Athletic programs, Athletic Director/Head Football Coach Charles Tindol and Head Volleyball Coach Morgan Mathews, both in their first year at Italy, had their student-athletes participate in Midnight Madness on Monday morning at 12:01 a.m.

With the football players practicing on Willis Field and the volleyball players practicing inside Italy Coliseum, both groups entered their upcoming seasons with gusto and renewed school spirit! Though it was midnight, the future looked bright for both coaches as Tindol welcomed approximately 40 players (11 seniors) who are ready to wear the gold and white and defend the school’s storied tradition while Mathews was greeted by approximately 30 Lady Gladiators (3 seniors) who are willing to reach for the stars with a new commitment to win.

The practices concluded around 1:30 a.m. with watermelon served afterwards by Mrs. Head Coach, Nicole Tindol, in front of the Jimmy Davis Memorial Field House.

Good luck to Coach Mathews and Coach Tindol and to all our student-athletes who are willing to represent Italy High School both in the classroom and on the courts and fields.

Go Italy!