How a successful high school football team helps the whole community

By Frank Bartscheck | Posted 8/25/2016

“When some loud braggart tries to put me down and says his school is great, I tell him right away, ‘Hey what’s the matter buddy? Ain’t you hear of my school? It’s number one in the state,’” are the opening lines to the Beach Boys song, Be True to Your School.

The lyrics may be considered a bit antiquated these days. However, even if the theme of school pride in pop songs is outdated, the power of school pride is still very much in effect.

A successful high school football team can go a long way toward contributing to the atmosphere of a school and community, at least according to Grapevine High School (Texas) head football coach Randy Jackson.

Jackson recently shared that he thinks a good football program is a huge asset for school officials.

"A great football program is the best thing for a principal," Jackson said. “All sports are important, but football with the drill team and the band and the cheerleaders. There are so many students involved on Friday night. So when your program is winning, I just think it's huge for the whole atmosphere of your school."

Jackson has seen the difference in the school environment surrounding a winning team versus a losing team. He arrived at Grapevine in 2014 and endured a 3-8 season. In 2015, that record flipped to 8-3.

It’s more than hollow talk for Jackson. He’s the author a book titled Culture Defeats Strategy, which explores how to change and develop culture in a football program.

Jackson and Grapevine will look to continue their winning ways on Friday in a season-opening game against Azle.

Share