Iron Jack Program returns for second season

Another school year has come to a close and for most Diboll students it is time for some summer fun in the sun, or perhaps that summer job, however for those young men and women competing in the Diboll Lumberjack Athletics program it is business as usual.

Started last summer by Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Gary Martel the Iron Jack Program is designed to keep the Jacks in top physical shape over the summer months. It is of great importance that these young athletes commit themselves to a vigorous workout program in preparation for the upcoming athletic year.

Open to all Diboll High School students, this year's edition will kick off Monday, June 9, through Thursday, July 24. The program itself will be a six week training session, the week of June 30 - July 4, there will be no program with all sessions resuming on Monday, July 7.

The sessions are Monday through Thursday in the mornings and afternoons, from 8-10 a.m. and 5:30-7:30 p.m., the Wednesday sessions remain the same in the morning, however the evening sessions will run from 3:30-5:30 p.m.

The program is voluntary; however it is highly encouraged that all athletes take part in these activities as they prepare for their respective sports in the upcoming school year.

Diboll Coach Bruce Bolden will oversee the activities, which are completely free to all Diboll Athletes. All sessions will be run by coaches for the benefit and safety of the athletes.

It is highly encouraged that all athletes attend as many sessions as possible this summer.

According to Martel, "as with any workout program, you will only see the desired results if you are committed to getting better and you make it a priority to miss as few workouts as possible."

The program was established by the Diboll Coaching staff and is designed to utilize weights, speed drills, agility drills and conditioning skills to maximize the skill and talents of athletes in the upcoming sports year.

The athletes, comprised of Lumberjacks and Lady Jacks in all sports, are provided with a comprehensive workout guide that provides them with a week to week workout cycle. The system has a major focus on two areas of conditioning, a weight and running phase.

The weight phase of the Iron Jack Program is designed to target specific body parts for strength building, performance enhancement and aiding in injury prevention.

While the running phase targets speed, agility and conditioning. This is achieved by carrying out the drills and techniques set out by the coaching staff.

Again the sessions are free and voluntary, and it is understandable that circumstances will come up, causing an athlete to miss a session, and the staff has offered up two sessions a day in order to assist with any issues that may arise. None the less the program is being stressed as one of the upmost importance for any athlete to truly perform at the level expected in Diboll Lumberjack and Lady Jack competition.

This program is designed to make Diboll Athletes the best around and will only continue to build the tradition that is Diboll Lumberjack Athletics.

Martel concluded, "the summer program has to become a priority for each and every student athlete involved."