The Italy Gladiators went all pads on Friday during both 2-a-day practice sessions. Lineman worked the seven man sled for the first time and and receivers adjusted to catching with the shoulder pads on.

With the first scrimmage only days away, football fever is at an all time high. Attached are the schedules for the Varsity, Junior Varsity and Junior High Italy Gladiator Football teams. Go Gladiators!

Italy Junior High Volleyball coaches Heather Richter and Tina Richards have released the 2010 schedule for the Junior High Lady Gladiators. The Italy JH Lady Gladiators will take on the Grandview Lady Zebras in the season opener on Monday, September 13 in Italy. We look forward to a great season. Good luck Ladies!

With week one of 2-a-day practices coming to an end, the Italy Gladiators will suit up in full contact armor on Friday.

The 2010 Italy Gladiators, head coached by athletic director Craig Bales, began their 2-a-day football practices on Monday to kickoff a highly anticipated campaign to reclaim the district championship that has been so close yet so far away.

Members of Italy’s 7th and 8th grade girls volleyball team, coached by Kimberly Nelson, completed a successful summer season which culminated in a chance to compete for the YMCA Tournament Championship in Waxahachie.

Final Football Sign-ups will be held Saturday, July 31 at Upchurch Ballpark from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. during the IYAA Garage Sale. Sign-up forms, county issued birth certificates and a registration fee of $65.00 can be submitted during that time.

As our gridiron Gladiators take to the field next week for their two-a-days practices our Lady Gladiators will also take to the court for theirs. Coach Richters, the new head coach of the Lady Gladiator Volleyball program, has released the Varsity/JV practice and game schedules for the 2010 volleyball season.

Italy — On Friday and Saturday at the Upchurch Ball Fields in Italy, several teams from around Texas converged on Field 1 to battle for the right to advance in the Texas Teen-Age Baseball/Softball Association’s Boys State Tournament High School Eligible Boys State Baseball Tournament.

The IYAA will be having a fund-raising garage sale and football sign-ups on Saturday, July 31 starting at 8:00 a.m. at the Upchurch Ball Fields in Italy.

Donated items can be dropped off on Wednesday, July 28 between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m at the fields as well.

On Friday and Saturday at the Upchurch Ball Fields in Italy, the IYAA will be hosting High School Eligible (HSE) Boys Pool Play baseball games in a partnership effort with the Hillsboro Sports Association who is hosting the Texas Teen-Age Baseball/Softball Association’s Boys State Tournament.

Under the direction of NCAA certified basketball coach Aaron Itson, the Texas Elite basketball team will once again combine the athletic talents of both Italy and Maypearl and participate in the, NCAA sanctioned, Prime Time National Basketball Tournament (11th – 12th grade division).

After winning the district championship, the Milford Lil’ Dogs trotted out of the park with their mugs held high. This 10 & under coach pitch team earned a place in the State bracket. They may have ponytails but don’t under estimate the power behind that little smile. Matched up with 21 other teams, the little girls donned their softball caps, grabbed their bats and worked up a sweat just like the big girls.

The Wild Thangs (5th and 6th grade girls), coached by Tracey Carter Bowles of Italy, are among several local teams that participate in youth volleyball at the YMCA in Waxahachie.

IYAA Cheerleading/Football sign-ups will be held at the Upchurch Ball Fields on Saturday, July 17 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The cheerleading sign-up deadline has been extended and all Football players must be registered by July 28.

Three Lady Gladiator softball players were named to the Texas Sports Writers Association (TXSWA) Collin Street Bakery 2010 All-State 1A Softball Team. These latest accolades are even more of a testament to the high level of play displayed by the Lady Gladiators this season.

After a series of downpours forced the IYAA hosted girls 8u district softball tournament to relocate from the Upchurch Ball Fields to the Italy High School Softball field, teams from Italy, Milford, Ferris, Ennis and Kopperl battled to be one of two teams left standing and earn a spot in the state tournament to be held in Athens. The district championship came down to a rematch between the Milford Lil’ Dogs, head coached by Ty Evans, and the Ferris Scorpions.

Italy Neotribune has included these extra photos from the IYAA hosted Girls 8u District Softball Tournament being held this week at the Italy High School Softball Field.

Teams from Italy and Milford are competing in area wide district tournaments this week and next. The IYAA is hosting the girls 8u district tournament this week and all remaining games are to be played at the Italy High School softball field. Girls teams that finish in first or second place in the district tournaments go to state. Boys district tournaments start Monday and teams must win the championship to advance to state.

IYAA cheerleading sign-ups will be held at the Upchurch Ball Fields on Saturday, July 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Italy — There were two IYAA teams last week competing for a chance to be the division tournament champions in both softball and baseball. Both teams made it into the final game of their respective brackets giving fans much to cheer about and both are packing their bat bags for the district tournament.

The IYAA is currently accepting Football/Cheerleading sign-ups. Forms are available at the Varner Fina Station in Italy and at the concession stand at the Upchurch Ball Fields during games. Cheerleaders must sign-up by July 15 and players by July 28.

During a summer league Varsity basketball game against the Avalon Eagles, the Italy Gladiators put 72 points on the board to Avalon’s 21 inside the domenasium in Avalon.

Lady Gladiator head coach Stacy McDonald will be conducting a summer skills basketball camp in late June. Coach McDonald will be assisted by current and former Lady Gladiators during this three day camp. The Lady Gladiators are coming off of their first play-off win in 18 years. Girls entering grades 3rd through 9th are urged to come and be a part of that success.

The IYAA baseball/softball and t-ball teams have finished their regular seasons and are currently competing in the division tournaments. So far, IYAA teams have accounted for three division tournament championships and two second place finishes in the division tournaments with more games still to pay.

Five members of the Italy Lady Gladiators’ softball team joined some of the state’s best softball players in being named to the 2010 Super Centex Softball Team.

Gladiator Basketball Camp with Coach Aidan Callahan and Coach Larry Mayberry was an exciting educational experience for campers with fast-paced drills and a shark infested court.

Several aspiring young basketball players recently participated in the “Hoop it up’ with Rich and Ro” girls basketball camp this past week coached by Italy High School juniors, and current members of the Lady Gladiators basketball team, Megan Richards and Kaitlyn Rossa. Fueled by their own teams recent momentum, Richards and Rossa hope to keep the Lady Gladiators continuing forward for years to come.

The IYAA baseball/softball and T-Ball teams complete their regular seasons and step into the post season. Several IYAA teams finished in first place during the regular season securing automatic trips to the district tournament in early July.

The Italy Gladiator Baseball team won district this year. “An awesome baseball team,” according to head coach Matt Coker. To go with this honor, some of the players won some individual district awards.

The IYAA (Italy Youth Athletic Association) wishes to express our sincerest appreciation for all the support we received the during the IYAA Sports Night hosted by McDonald’s in Italy on Wednesday, June 9.

The entire Gladiator Basketball staff would like to invite all boys who are entering grades 4-9 next school year to attend the 2010 Basketball Youth Camp June 14 through June 17.

McDonald’s® has teamed with IYAA Sports (Italy Youth Athletic Association) for “IYAA Sports Night” at the McDonald’s in Italy. Wednesday, June 9 between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., 20% of all the proceeds collected by McDonald’s will be donated to IYAA Sports, so stop in for a Big Mac™, McNuggets™ or any of your favorite items on the McDonald’s menu.

Several members of the 2010 Italy Lady Gladiators’ softball team received all-district accolades to cap-off an incredible season which included an exciting playoff run. The teams four hard working seniors, Meredith Brummett, Cori Jeffords, Courtney Westbrook and Drew Windham helped lead the Lady Gladiators out of district and into the regional semi-finals.

Monday, June 7 through Thursday, June 10 there will be a girl’s basketball camp held at the old gym at Italy High School. Camp times are 8:30am through 11:30am. This four day camp will cost $30 for four days of instruction (or $10 per day). All proceeds will go towards gym rental and awards. Instructors will be Lady Gladiator Basketball players Megan Richards (#22) and Kaitlyn Rossa (#3).

With the regular season nearing it’s final innings, IYAA Baseball/Softball and T-Ball teams are still chipping away at the big picture. Post season tournaments are just around the next base which has all the teams vying for a 1st place division finish that will give them an automatic pass into the district tournament.

Waxahachie High School head girls basketball coach Leslie Priebe, friend and mentor of Italy High School head girls basketball coach, Stacy McDonald will be conducting a girls basketball camp June 7-10. The camp is for ages 6-14 and will be held in the Waxahachie High School Gymnasium.

The IYAA (Italy Youth Athletic Association) continues to ink in wins while gaining experience for the younger Baseball/Softball and T-Ball players. Whether it’s a kindergartener teeing off for a double or a freshman making a big grab to end an inning, IYAA Sports is where you can catch all the action.

Forney — After tying the best of three regional semi-final series 1-1 with the 10th ranked Blue Ridge Lady Tigers on Thursday, the Italy Lady Gladiators stormed out of the dugout to take a 2-0 lead in Saturday’s game 3. Blue Ridge quickly countered to go up 3-2 and eventually ended the Lady Gladiators’ 2010 playoff run with a 12-7 win over Italy.

Forney — The 1A Regional Semifinal Championship between the Italy Lady Gladiators (26-7) and the Blue Ridge Lady Tigers (26-9) is still up for grabs after the two teams split wins on Thursday.

Attention all IYAA coaches and parents: The IYAA will be having the picture viewing set up for Monday, May 24th from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Upchurch Ball fields.

The IHS varsity baseball team traveled to Royse City on Saturday to meet the Dodd City varsity. The match was fierce but in the end Dodd City held the key and the Gladiators came home on their last ride together.

The Italy Lady Gladiators (25-6) will play a best 2/3 series against the Blue Ridge Lady Tigers (25-8) at Warren Middle School in Forney for the regional semi-final championship. The two teams will play a double header on Thursday, May 20 starting with the first game at 5:00 p.m. followed by the second game at 7:30 p.m. The third game will be played on Saturday, May 22 at 12:00 p.m. if needed.

Waxahachie — The 1A Lady Gladiators, with their head head coach Stacy McDonald playing the role of a fan in the stands, began their Summer League Basketball schedule against the 4A Corsicana Tigers on Monday at Waxahachie High School.

John “Booney” Isaac a senior at Italy High School and already an Italy Gladiators’ sports legend, added to his mystic by winning third place in the UIL state triple jump competition in Austin on Friday.