By BRIAN WHITMORE Sports Editor

Behind every good team is a good booster club.

Union High School’s Booster Club is gearing up for the new school year and football season which kicks off in August.

Already the club has made a huge impact on helping prepare athletes for battle by donating $8,000 to purchase eight units of weight lifting equipment. The new stations are compact and fit well in the Union High weight room. Players have put them to good use.

"We now have one of the top weight rooms in the state," said the booster club’s Roger Bailey.

One way the club raises money for projects like this is through the sale of Yellow Jacket merchandise — caps, rain jackets, blankets, stadium seats, head bands, sun visors, mini helmets, car magnets and more — are available to fans at the booster club’s trailer during every home game.

A new item, likely to be a big seller this year, is the white away game jersey with black and gold stripes. The jersey is $45 for most sizes, $50 for extra large.

New caps for children will go along with other apparel for the kids. And many adults will likely sport a new denim shirt sporting the Yellow Jacket logo.

The club also operates the concession stand. Look for former coach Mike Anthony working hard behind the counter.

"He thought the sideline was tough," said Bailey. "Wait to we put him to work up here."

The booster club puts out the game programs, published by The Union Daily Times. The program grew in size last year, with more advertisements and information. That will continue this year.

Anyone wanting to advertise in the collectors edition publication should call Sherry Callahan at 427-5459 before Aug. 13.

Seating and parking at Union County Stadium won’t change this year. Anyone with questions about season tickets or parking should call Gail Cobb at 427-2918.

The booster club will hold a meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday at Union High School in preparation for the football season.

"We’re ready to get started," said president Brenda Lawson.

And with the excitement of new coach Tommy Bobo leading the Jackets into battle, so are fans.