The Siloam Springs football team will start its summer conditioning program on Tuesday at Panther Fieldhouse after more than 10 days removed from completing spring practice.
The Panthers wrapped up four weeks of spring drills on May 20 with the Maroon-White game at Panther Stadium. The team took off from May 21-30 for finals, the end of school and Memorial Day on Monday.
Head coach Bryan Ross, who is entering his eighth year at the helm of the football program, said the team's participation in past summer programs has been good but it can improve.
"We would like it to be even better," Ross said. "We know some kids are out of town for a while in the summer and all that. You know I think the ones that stay really committed and sacrifice in the summer to be here, they reap the rewards in the fall. If we can get everybody to that level, then you're getting to where you want to be."
The Panthers are required to make at least 18 workouts during the summer program. A total of 25 workout days are available on the calendar.
The team will have workouts available at 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, while a 7:30 a.m. workout is available on Wednesdays. No workouts are available on Fridays.
The team's first round of workouts will go through June 21, and the coaches will be at the Arkansas High School Coaches Association Clinic from June 22-24.
The Arkansas Activities Association dead period will be June 27 through July 10.
On June 8, the Panthers will participate in a varsity team camp at Springdale Har-Ber, while another varsity team camp will be at Rogers Heritage on July 18. Siloam Springs will participate in a pair of junior varsity team camps at Springdale Har-Ber on July 13 and at Rogers on July 20.
Starting on Monday July 11, the Panthers will host 7-on-7 nights at Panther Stadium. There will also be 7-on-7 nights on July 18 and July 25.
A parent/player meeting is scheduled for 8 a.m. July 29 in the high school cafeteria, and fall practice begins at 7 a.m. on Aug. 1.
Ross said it's important for players to work hard in the summer, but they also need to enjoy their time off as well.
"It's not good for the kids to just say football is it," Ross said. "You want them fresh and ready to go when August gets here, because honestly we ask a lot out of them. I think the big thing is the ones that will commit to staying in good shape and working out, they're the ones that shine the most in August."
Coaching changes
Siloam Springs athletics director Kevin Downing announced several coaching changes in several different sports in the district.
In football, Jeff Bowerman is the new head eighth-grade coach, while Dwain Pippin moves to ninth-grade assistant coach. Because both are varsity football coaches as well, Bowerman will not be coaching softball in the spring.
The Panthers still have an opening for a varsity assistant coach, which Ross hopes to have filled early in the summer.
In basketball, head ninth-grade girls coach Rebecca Ault resigned her coaching duties, while head ninth-grade volleyball and junior high track coach Latasha Armer also resigned her coaching positions.
Kailey Greenleaf is promoted to head ninth-grade volleyball coach.
The district is hiring for a head eighth-grade volleyball coach, head ninth-grade girls basketball coach and varsity football assistant coach. Those coaching duties could be tied to softball, track and soccer in the spring.
Sports on 05/29/2016