Blaze: It’s more like a family
Abby Phillips set the single-game scoring record for the Lady Blaze early in the 2020-21 season. But it’s work off the court in the Blaze program that is the most-important aspect of her elementary school education. (photo:Ken Leinart )
They can compete with their classmates in school-sanctioned athletics through a unique program in East Tennessee. The Clinton Blaze program pulls from the city’s three elementary schools, Clinton, North Clinton and South Clinton.
The Blaze fields teams in boys and girls cross country, basketball, track and field, and swimming.
Clinton also has an intramural bowling league, and conducts clinics for various other sports such as tennis and soccer.
The athletes can wear team colors in the hallways and have backpacks with the team logo.
The Blaze and Lady Blaze basketball teams play in front of capacity crowds and have their games streamed via the internet.
The Blaze program, which also promotes community service, sportsmanship, citizenship and high academic standards, is also supported heavily by the community. Clinton High School is a strong partner with the community’s younger student-athletes.
The program, which allows Clinton’s elementary school athletes to compete on a grand stage, is the brainchild of Clinton City Schools Athletic Director E.T. Stamey.
Stamey, a former athlete himself, has wowed parents with his efforts to establish and maintain the programs at a high standard.
“I don’t think enough credit goes to E.T. Stamey,” said Bobby Williams, who has both a son and daughter in the Clinton programs. “I personally will be forever grateful for him.”
Williams’ son Isaiah participates in cross country, basketball and track. His daughter Emerson is also a track athlete in a program that sent multiple athletes to the Junior Olympics in 2019 and 2020.
Bobby Williams was raised in Clinton, where he played high school football for the Dragons. He didn’t have the same opportunities that his children have to compete for a sanctioned team in elementary school.
“I played football for Clinton High School, but I’ve never seen anything quite like this,” he said. “For us as parents, it has been a joy. I grew up in Clinton and we didn’t have anything like this.”
Like Bobby Williams, Katie Phillips grew up in Clinton. Her daughter Abby plays basketball for the Lady Blaze and recently set a single-game scoring record.
Phillips said she also is grateful for Stamey’s efforts in the community.
“I grew up in Clinton and you didn’t have an opportunity to do anything like this until you hit middle school,” she said.
“Now, Abby has the opportunity to play in elementary school and she can play with her classmates and she can play in her community.
“She doesn’t have to go somewhere else to play,” Phillips said.
With the Blaze, athletes are students first, and Bobby Williams knows the importance of that as well as the need for athletes to set examples in their schools and community.
“I had this conversation with Isaiah, and there’s a reason why ‘student’ comes first (in student-athlete),” he said. “Sports are fun and athletics can take you a long way.
“But it’s important to be a good student and be active in your community. As athletes, the kids need to set an example for their friends and their classmates. It’s a responsibility.”
The Blaze and Lady Blaze have the unwavering support of the Clinton Community and Clinton High, and Katie Phillips said that’s huge for the young athletes.
“We’re like a small family,” she said.
Recently some Clinton High School coaches, such including football coach Darrell Keith, boys basketball coach Chris Lockard and girls basketball coach Alicia Phillips and others visited Blaze athletes.
Phillips said the gesture meant a lot for Abby.
“It’s great to have the support of the high school,” Katie Phillips said.
“Coach Phillips came to talk to the team and Abby absolutely loves her.”