Asheville Christian Academy to field varsity football team in 2020
Asheville Christian Academy will begin playing varsity and junior varsity football in 2020, according to a press release from the school on Dec. 12.
Football is an important scholastic sport in the mountains, and ACA is thrilled to be participating in this arena next fall.," ACA Athletic Director Joe Johnson said in a press release. "The time is right."
This football program is an outgrowth of a three-year partnership with the Asheville Saints football and cheer program.
This partnership began with several ACA students participating on the Saints football team. Three years ago, ACA provided the Saints with a practice site. This relationship led to the development of a new game field with lights, bleachers and a scoreboard, according to the press release.
This new facility will become the home of ACA football and as it is developed, will become the home of ACA soccer and track & field as well.
The football and cheer teams will continue to be open to students from local private schools, public schools and home school as was the practice under the Saints’ banner.
While ACA is a member of the NCISAA governing body, this team will not compete in NCISAA playoffs due to individual team membership but will adhere to NCISAA regulations in all other aspects of eligibility, according to the press release.
Rick Spurling, a former Mitchell High coach, will be ACA's head coach in the first year.
The varsity and junior varsity team will continue to participate in the Pioneer Football League for the fall of 2020 and will also play non-conference games against Christ School, Hickory Grove Christian (Charlotte) and Asheville School.
"We are also looking forward to the collaboration with athletes and families beyond the ACA campus as we offer Lion football to our student population and those who may be in schools too small to offer football," Johnson said in the release. "The Saints provided a great platform for this move and the like-mindedness of our two organizations mesh well."
Asheville Christian Academy will begin playing varsity and junior varsity football in 2020, according to a press release from the school on Dec. 12.
Football is an important scholastic sport in the mountains, and ACA is thrilled to be participating in this arena next fall.," ACA Athletic Director Joe Johnson said in a press release. "The time is right."
This football program is an outgrowth of a three-year partnership with the Asheville Saints football and cheer program.
This partnership began with several ACA students participating on the Saints football team. Three years ago, ACA provided the Saints with a practice site. This relationship led to the development of a new game field with lights, bleachers and a scoreboard, according to the press release.
This new facility will become the home of ACA football and as it is developed, will become the home of ACA soccer and track & field as well.
The football and cheer teams will continue to be open to students from local private schools, public schools and home school as was the practice under the Saints’ banner.
While ACA is a member of the NCISAA governing body, this team will not compete in NCISAA playoffs due to individual team membership but will adhere to NCISAA regulations in all other aspects of eligibility, according to the press release.
Rick Spurling, a former Mitchell High coach, will be ACA's head coach in the first year.
The varsity and junior varsity team will continue to participate in the Pioneer Football League for the fall of 2020 and will also play non-conference games against Christ School, Hickory Grove Christian (Charlotte) and Asheville School.
"We are also looking forward to the collaboration with athletes and families beyond the ACA campus as we offer Lion football to our student population and those who may be in schools too small to offer football," Johnson said in the release. "The Saints provided a great platform for this move and the like-mindedness of our two organizations mesh well."
