Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to play football at Buchholz High School (BHS)?

1. 9^th through 12^th graders who meet the academic requirements (minimum of a 2.0 cumulative GPA) and the football program requirements, being in good standing with the administration and the football staff. They have to be enrolled in BHS. If there are any zoning questions contact the school.

What are the requirements for playing football at BHS?

1. Each player must have a physical with the appropriate forms filled out and a parent consent/release of liability form completed. You can find these forms on our website under Links.

What is summer conditioning? Do you have to attend summer conditioning to play football in the Fall?

1. Summer conditioning is prerequisite for playing in the Fall. This is a seven week long, four day a week lifting and running session (about two hours) to help make the athletes bigger, faster and stronger and get them working out together and carrying that team concept through the summer and into the football season.

When does football practice start for the Fall season? What if a player moves to Gainesville at the end of summer?

1. This year Fall practice starts on Monday, August 4, 2008. If a student moves to Gainesville just before school starts he has to be enrolled at BHS first before he comes out to join practice. The first five practices (or three days) in the Fall have to be in shorts before practicing in pads. Varsity and JV players start with two-a-day practices. The start date for Freshmen will be announced soon.

How much does it cost to play football at BHS?

1. Nothing. The BHS Football Booster Club raises money so that no student will be prevented from playing football because of financial difficulties. This is why it is so important for the parents of players to join the Booster Club and volunteer to help with the various activities.

Who provides the uniforms and gear?

1. Buchholz High School provides the practice and game uniforms and gear to play football. The only thing the players have to provide is cleats. Black cleats are what should be purchased.

What does the BHS Football Booster Club provide for the teams?

1. The Booster Club provides the pregame meals every week for Varsity, JV and Freshmen, the letterman jackets for the Varsity players, shorts, shirts and socks for work out, meals for out of town games, bananas for half time and drinks for after the games, presents for coaches at the end of the season, end of season banquet and awards, and a special end of season project if there are excess funds. To meet these goals we need lots of parents to volunteer.

How does a parent get involved in the BHS Football Booster Club?

A. Booster Club meetings are held throughout the year (mostly in the Fall) and are a good way to get involved. You can also call any of the Booster Club officers who are listed on the website to get more information. All parents of football players are encouraged to join the Booster Club ($125.00 per family for the year) but if this is financially difficult it is not required to help in the volunteer activities or come to the meetings. Getting involved is a great way to meet other parents and keep informed.

What types of volunteer opportunities are there to help the Booster Club?

1. We need parents to volunteer to be officers, purchase or pick up the food or help with serving the pregame meal on game days, make or buy desserts for the pregame meals, work the concessions on game days (JV and Freshman parents work the Varsity games and Varsity parents work the JV and Freshmen games), get sponsors for the football program, help with the golf tournament held in August, sell T-shirts, take pictures of the games for the website, and much more. If every family could volunteer just a small amount of time during the year we could make this the best football program ever.

Where is football gear stored during the day?

1. Practice football gear is stored in sports lockers during the day in the locker room. No gear except cloth should be taken home. Practice pants and jerseys should be taken home periodically (you may have to remind your player) to be washed. Light bleach can be used to wash them (about ¼ c per load) and washing periodically will make them last longer and improve the general smell in the locker room! Game jerseys and pants will be washed by the school.

What happens on game day?

1. The BHS Football Booster Club provides pregame meals for the players and the school provides buses to the games. On game day the players should not leave school. Transportation will also be provided after the game so parents should pick up the players at BHS after each game.

How much does it cost to go to a game?

1. BHS Varsity games are $6 for adults and students, JV and Freshman games are $3 for adults and $2 for students. This may vary slightly when the game is hosted by another team.

Who is Ms. Francis and Mr. Mack?

1. They are our team grandparents. They had kids who went to Buchholz when it first started and they stayed around and offered their services since then. They adopt each and every team each year. They help the trainers in hauling some of the gear and coolers and drinks for the players and come to the pregame meal. They have also been known to bring candy to the team. They take care of their boys!

How and when is it determined on which team a player will be assigned?

1. This is determined by the coaches with regards to skill level and experience and how hard they work out. This decision is made during the Spring, Summer and Fall and is an ongoing decision. JV and Varsity practice together so they can move up and down any time during the season. Players can only play one game a week.

Is there an activity bus that runs after school?

1. Yes. An activity bus runs during football season for the players from Monday through Thursday at 6:00 p.m. For more information call the Alachua County School Board Transportation Department.

If you have any more questions contact Coach Jay Godwin at the school at 955-6702.