By By BRUCE HIXON Sports Editor
As new president of the T.R. Miller Quarterback Club, Roger Chapman plans to follow the blue prints predecessor Gerald Davidson laid out. He is also open ears on all suggestions.
"I've got a tough act to follow. Both Gerald and his wife, Sharon, did a tremendous job. They accomplished a lot of things the last couple of years," Chapman said.
Chapman has been a member of the T.R. Miller Quarterback Club for about six years.
"I've been involved in a lot of fund raising projects the last couple of years, which is a big part of what we do," Chapman said.
Chapman emphasizes while the name Quarterback Club is associated with football, the organization aids more than just the school's football program.
"We're there to help out all the sports teams at T.R. Miller. This spring we bought about $500 worth of golf bags. We sold baseball chairs. We helped pay for some of the travel expenses to the state tournament for the girls basketball and softball teams. We helped run the hospitality room at the T.R. Miller Boys Basketball Holiday Tournament. We put new carpet on the batting cages at the baseball field, painted the fences at the field and put new roll-up windows on the concession stand," Chapman said. "If a sport brings a request to our attention, we try to do what we can to help. Our ears are open for ways to help our athletic programs."
One of Chapman's first big tasks as Quarterback Club president is organizing the annual football program.
"I feel like we've put together one of the best football programs in the state. I'd compare it to a college media guide. We're in the process of selling ads for it and getting the pictures lined up. Our cheerleaders help us a lot with ads and in return we help with some of their expenses," Chapman said.
Chapman indicated another project for the upcoming football season is a tailgate party, which is slated for the September 24 home game against Andalusia.
"We started the tailgate party last season and it was a big success. In addition to just the tailgate party, we're planning to honor the 20th anniversary of the 1984 T.R. Miller state championship football team that evening. We did a similar thing a couple of years ago when we honored the 1952 state championship basketball team," Chapman said. "We'd like to do one of those a season."
Chapman said the Quarterback Club plans to continue the tradition of having T.R. Miller football coach Jamie Riggs address the organization at its weekly meeting during the season.
"Coach Riggs will come in and talk about the previous game and the upcoming opponent. Sometimes we'll also have one of the assistant coaches talk such as Coach (Jack) Whigham or Coach (Jim) Hart," Chapman said.
Chapman said one the group's top fund raisers has been its $10,000 giveaway.
"We've got 250 tickets available for that at a cost of $100 per ticket. In the past, we've been fortunate to sell all 250 tickets. If we sell all the tickets, that comes out to $25,000, $10,000 for the winner and $15,000 for the Quarterback Club. We'll then use that money to help out the school's athletic department," Chapman said.
The T.R. Miller Quarterback Club currently has more than 200 members.
"The cost for membership is $20 for both family and individuals. We meet weekly during the school year and then as needed during the summer," Chapman said.