As Tennessee Christian Preparatory School’s athletic program has become more robust, it was only a matter of time until TCPS athletes began requesting football. Recently that time came, and TCPS athletics director Leslie Bennett answered the call.

Along with TCPS parent Joe Chase, Bennett attended an informational session in March that was also attended by coaches of area football teams. Since then, the program has been fast-tracked for the Fall 2011 season.

“Football is the next logical step in our quickly growing department,” says Bennett. “We have a lot of talent and interest among our student body to support a football program. I am happy to have the support and encouragement from our board of directors. The excitement and conversation in the hallways seems to be spreading like wildfire. We will begin this year with a middle school team and allow that team to grow into full varsity and junior varsity football teams.”

In its inaugural season, TCPS will participate in an independent football league. Thanks to this status, the program is open to home-schooled students and students who attend local schools that do not have football programs. Though this is the first public announcement, TCPS already has a seven-game season lined up.

Teams the TCPS Hawks will play this coming season include Silverdale Academy, OLPH, Grace Baptist Academy, Episcopal School of Knoxville and Boyd-Buchanan School.

The board of trustees of TCPS is hoping to find additional corporate sponsors to underwrite the expense of the program. Interested parties should contact Leslie Bennett, TCPS athletics director. To learn more or to find out how to get your child signed up, call Bennett at 423-559-8939 or email lbennett@tcpsk12.org.

TCPS is a PreK-12, Christ-centered, interdenominational, state-certified school that offers parents in Cleveland/Bradley County and surrounding areas an alternative for the education and formation of their children. TCPS is not affiliated with or sponsored by any religious denomination or church.