Extra photos from Italy’s first scrimmage against the Valley Mills Eagles.

Italy’s JV Gladiators represent on their home field during season’s first scrimmage against Valley Mills.

Gladiators are eager to start season with first round of scrimmages this Saturday. Bring a bath towel and get into the games free!

Italy Gladiator V/JV/Jr. High Football Schedule and the Italy Lady Gladiator V/JV Volleyball Schedule included in this article.

The Italy Gladiators are off to a strong start after gearing up for their first full padded practice on Friday.

The Italy Gladiators get fitted for armor to wrap up first week of two-a-day practices in full pads.

The Lady Gladiators hit the weights and kicked up some dirt as they prepare for the upcoming volleyball season.

Midnight Madness at Italy High School was fun for all as the Gladiators and Lady Gladiators get an early edge on their competition.

All IYAA Cheerleaders are being asked to attend a squad meeting Thursday at 6:00 p.m. at the Upchurch Ballpark.

Italy Gladiator Athletics hosts “Midnight Madness”. Enjoy a watermelon social, watch a movie outside and support the athletes as they have a midnight workout followed by a pancake breakfast for all!

Businesses, organizations, students and fans can be a part of Italy Athletics by purchasing signs that will be displayed at Willis Field this football season in a showing of school spirit.

Lady Gladiator Megan Richards signs Letter of Intent to play softball at the University of Texas at the Permian Basin in Odessa. “Go Falcons!”

Due to schedule conflicts the Gladiator Athletic Booster Club has adjusted their meeting day to Thursday, August 2, 5:30pm at the Italy High School library. Continued planning for the fall sports season will be the primary focus of the meeting.

The IYAA is having its last Football Signups on Saturday, August 4 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Upchurch Ballpark in Italy. Practice starts Monday, August 6!

You can see a familiar face in the Italy High School Multipurpose Dome these days, especially as high school volleyball fires up.

Italy’s select baseball team gains experience during State tournament hosted in Italy, Hillsboro and Maypearl.

Extra images of Italy’s select baseball team in action during State tournament.

Dale Hansen was joined by cheerleaders and mascots at Stuart B. Lumpkins Stadium in Waxahachie to shoot the first commercial for the inaugural “2012 Dale Hansen Football Classic.”

Coach Wayne Rowe, one of the newest members of the Italy High School staff, has been teaching for 15 years and wants to put IHS on his resume. Coming from Scurry Rosser ISD, Rowe teaches English and coaches softball. Eager to begin the school year in Italy, Coach Rowe has plans of preparing the students in and out of the classroom.

The application for the Dale Hansen Football Classic academic scholarship has been released and ready for eligible senior boys and girls to complete. One Italy High School senior boy and one Italy High School senior girl will be awarded anywhere from $500 to $1,000 towards college expense. 

In a called meeting last night, the Italy ISD Board of Trustees hired several new employees for the district.

Italy’s varsity level select baseball team splits games with Grandview and will play two more dates before competing in a State tournament to be held locally.

Both the Italy Police Department and the Italy Fire Department arrive on scene to raise money for “Shop with a Cop” that will benefit deserving families during the Christmas holiday.

The skies may have surprised everyone with a little rain and thunder but the weather did not stop any fireworks or competition on the field. Guns & Hoses, a local fundraiser, arrived in Italy on Saturday night with all the bells and whistles and there was fun for everyone—all for a good cause, Shop With A Cop.

Final IYAA Cheerleading Signups will be held inside the Italy High School old gym on Saturday, July 7 from 11:00 a.m — 1:00 p.m.

Guns vs. Hoses T-shirts are now available for sale to the public for the benefit softball game on Saturday, July 7 between the Italy Fire Department and the Italy Police Department.

Gladiator fans are invited to the inaugural Dale Hansen Football Classic official website and Facebook page promoting the Friday, September 7, through Saturday, September 8 games at Stuart B. Lumpkins Stadium in Waxahachie.

Both Italy and Milford’s girl T-ball and softball players begin their district playoff runs tonight around the area.

The Italy Gladiators rely on their depth to win all three 7-on-7 matchups during a four-town scrimmage in Axtell this past Thursday.

July is just around the corner and it will be August before we know it. August brings two-a-day workouts for the Gladiators which means only one thing….Football Season! Get your ad space reserved in the 2012 Football Program today!

Good weather brought groups of cyclists to Italy on Saturday. The 27th Annual Tour d’Italia was sponsored by the Lone Star Cyclists and over 1050 people registered and rode the countryside around Italy. Membership chairman, Rhea Reedy, estimated 555 people registered on Saturday morning, before the ride.

Italy’s select baseball team out slugs, out plays and out lasts Alvarado to claim both wins of a double-header.

The Jimmy Davis Memorial Fieldhouse is undergoing renovations as Coach Hank Hollywood and his staff prepare for the upcoming school year.

The Italy Lady Gladiators make presence known throughout the all-district list after successful 2011-2012 season.

Italy Gladiator head baseball coach, Josh Ward, is proud to announce the team’s 2012 All-District selections.

Italy Gladiator Basketball head coach Aidan Callahan accepts a head coaching position in Llano to help rebuild the Yellowjacket boy’s basketball program.

Immediate Press Release regarding upcoming Heart of Texas Fellowship of Christian Athletes Super Centex Victory Bowl with Italy Gladiator, Larry Mayberry, Jr., participating.

Waxahachie Independent School District, in conjunction with the City of Waxahachie and Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce, are proud to announce the inaugural Dale Hansen Football Classic. The Classic will take place September 7-8, 2012 in the new state-of-the-art Stuart B. Lumpkins Stadium in Waxahachie, Texas. The 9,500 seat facility features excellent viewing capabilities from all locations, a champion style artificial playing surface, and a spacious, three-level, 6,000 square foot press box.

All the gear has been stored away, the final buzzer has sounded, the dust has settled and the finish line has been crossed to successfully complete an exceptional year for Italy Gladiator Athletics.

The Lady Gladiators road to State stops short after a colliding with the Crawford Lady Pirates during the Regional Quarterfinals in Waco.

Thanks to the 2012 Lady Gladiators softball team for giving it your all and displaying class in both victory and defeat.

Huddle! Gladiator Football meeting scheduled for Saturday, May 26 at 11:00 a.m. inside the Italy High School cafeteria.

The Lady Gladiators learned lessons in game 1 against Crawford and hoped to pass the double-header test the following day during their regional quarterfinal matchup with the Lady Pirates.

The Italy Gladiators play extremely well during JV/varsity 7-on-7 tests with Scurry-Rosser on Thursday.

The Gladiator Athletic Boosters will meet on Thursday evening, May 31st in the Italy High School Library. Meeting time is set for 7:00pm. All parents, grandparents and supporters of Gladiator and Lady Gladiator athletes from 7th grade and up are urged to attend.

Italy Athletics, guided by newly hired athletic director, Hank Hollywood, execute workout routines to help Lady Gladiator and Gladiator student athletes get bigger, stronger and faster.

More photos covering Italy Athletics’ spring practices under the direction of new athletic director Hank Hollywood.