One local school district is looking to rebuild a sports program that has struggled in recent years.

The Blue Ridge school district's football program has not been very successful in recent years, as they have not made the playoffs since 2001, which was also the last time they recorded a winning record. That has administrators, coaches, parents and even the athletes desiring change. Superintendent of Blue Ridge Schools, Susan Wilson explains recently, all parties met to discuss how to turn the program around.

[audio:12512blueridgefootball1.mp3] [/audio]

That discussion, Wilson feels, has led the program to take a lot of positive steps forward. Wilson notes they have already implemented a few things, but she says the effort is going to be from every aspect of the program. From the players, the students, the parents, and of course the coaches and administrators.

[audio:12512blueridgefootball2.mp3] [/audio]

Parents of football players stepped up and challenged each other to keep the kids accountable about getting to the weight room for lifting sessions and being at all practices. Wilson also says community members had a presence at the meeting as well and she explains they addressed changing the perception of the football program, and trying to eliminate any negativity towards the program.

[audio:12512blueridgefootball3.mp3] [/audio]

Wilson was proud of the way everyone at the meeting conducted themselves. She says there wasn't any "sugar-coating" of the issues, but at the same time, people spoke their minds in very respectful tones. Wilson called the meeting positive. She says she came away the most proud of the student athletes because they came up with several things could do and committed to doing to help improve the program.