Valerie Sliker, Courtesy Wagener Monthly
The 2019 Wolfpack season, a football program for ages 6 - 12 is off to a great start. With 75 boys playing football, 13 coaches, 17 cheerleaders, 2 cheerleading coaches and 1 secretary, the program runs efficiently under the leadership of Athletic Directors Anthony Swedenburg and Albert Landy.
New this year, the team has transferred to an Aiken league and plays all games on Monday or Tuesday evenings at South Aiken High or Aiken High. Beginning next year, they will have home games here in Wagener at Roy Warner Park. You can see them practice on weeknights at Roy Warner Park. If you’d like to see a game, the schedule can be found on their Facebook group: “Wagener Salley Wolfpack Fan Page.”
The team operates on the $65/per child registration fee, fundraisers, volunteers and sponsors. Sponsors this year include the Wagener Fire Dept, Nancy Roberson, Clyde Nettles LLC, Dr. Trey Vereen, DMD, and Chandler Law Firm. Also, Aiken County PRT does not charge for the use of the field at Roy Warner Park. The Wolfpack truly appreciates this support.
Donations and volunteers are always needed and appreciated. Volunteers can help run the concession booth. Donations can be made to sponsor a player, cover the cost of snacks and drinks, and help pay for equipment. If you’d like to volunteer or make a donation, you can send a message on either of their Facebook Group pages: Wagener Salley Wolfpack Fan Page or the parents and coaches page, Wolfpack Wagener – Salley SC. You can also speak with Swedenburg, Landy or secretary Amity Stone.
Swedenburg and Landy began the Wolfpack in 2011 after the discontinuation of the Wagener Eagles little league football that had begun in the 1990’s. They began coaching with their sons in the program. Their sons are currently playing for Wagener Salley High School; in fact, a lot of the high school team started out in the Wolfpack’s 6 – 8-year-old program.
“They won the championship for the 6 – 8 group, then the 9 – 10 group, then for A. L. Corbett and now the same squad is still winning on the high school level.” Landy said.
“We trained them a little bit,” Swedenburg added, “But as they went on and on, they kept getting momentum. Nobody can take credit for the whole thing for what’s going on now, but everybody played a part in it. We’ve seen a lot of kids come through here. We enjoy them a lot.”
“It’s a good program, these guys are great.” Coach Jamie Garvin commented. It’s not about coaches building a reputation, it’s about the kids, about making progress. Progress in the classroom and progress on the football field. They go hand in hand.”
Swedenburg added, “We’d like to Thank the community for supporting us this long. We have a good band of parents that volunteer and help us out, too.”
The Wolfpack cheerleading head coach is Saavedra Sampson and the assistant coach is Kadidra Williams.
The Wolfpack also participates in a basketball league with all home games played in the Salley Gym. Registration for basketball is only $25 and begins the first full week of January. There is usually a girls’ team for basketball as well. Sampson and Williams are hoping to have a cheerleading squad for basketball as well.
Coaches: Bruce Corley, JJ Thomas, Chuck Burkett, Ralph Stroman, Clay Smith, Juan Washington, Zach Garvin, Jamie Garvin, Tad Stone, Richard Devinny
Cheerleaders Coaches: Saavedra Sampson, Kadidra Williams
Admin: Athletic Directors: Anthony Swedenburg (Heavy), Elbert Landy (Tiger)
Secretary: Amity Stone
