School has finally started, along with fall sports such as football, soccer, volleyball and cross-country. Recently Manor Ink got a preview of Rockland Central School’s teams and how Athletic Director Chris Hubert thinks they will do this season. He also shared a little bit about what it’s like to be in charge of the athletic program.

“Sports has taught me a lot of life lessons,” said Hubert. “One is collaboration – the teamwork skills that when you go into the workforce you’ve got to utilize.” This is one of the reasons Hubert wanted to take on the role of athletic director, a position he finds very gratifying. “Watching younger students perform and trying to reach their potential is very rewarding. At the same time, if I can help them in any way, like provide them with an opportunity to excel, I will.”

Although Hubert loves his job as the athletic director, it is challenging to get sports events – games and competitions – all planned out. Hubert has to constantly check his emails for interferences with other events that are happening. “Having no officials, or a coach that gets sick, or things like that, means a lot of back-and-forth between the athletic directors of each school,” explained Hubert. “‘Juggling’ is the best way to describe it.”

With the merger of the two former Rockland districts, this past year has been quite an adjustment for everyone. But Hubert believes the merger has had a positive impact on the sports program. “I think the students are more of a closer family,” he said. And because all of the athletes are already in one building, there is a greater opportunity for all to participate.

Overall, Hubert thinks the teams will do well this season. While the football and cross country teams are young, they have a lot of talent. RCS’s soccer team also has a lot of talent and experience. He expects them to make sectionals again this year.

This is the inaugural year for the varsity volleyball team. Hubert is hopeful that the way the program was built – modified started four years ago, followed by two years of modified and junior varsity – has given the athletes the skills they need to have a successful season.

Once again, this year there are three night games under the lights. On Wednesday, Oct. 7, there was a powderpuff football game. On Thursday, Oct. 8, girls varsity soccer will take on Sullivan West. On Saturday, Oct. 10, the varsity football team will go up against Eldred. All three of these games will start at 7 p.m.

Hubert would like to thank the following foundations for donating the funds to make these games possible: the Pete DeVantier Foundation, the Coach Fred Ahart Foundation, the Kaplan Foundation, the Livingston Manor Rotary and Roscoe Kiwanis.

To find schedules for all teams, visit gobound.com.

Rockland Varsity Sports Schedule

Football

Oct. 10: Eldred, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17: Fallsburg, 1 p.m.
Oct. 23: Sullivan West (away), 7 p.m.
Oct. 31: Playoffs, 1 p.m.
Nov. 7: Playoffs, 1 p.m.

Girls Soccer

Oct. 8: Sullivan West, 7 p.m.
Oct. 13: Tri- Valley (away), 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 15: S.S. Seward, 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 21: Eldred, 4:30 p.m.

Volleyball

Oct. 13: Chester Acad. (away), 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 14: Sullivan West, 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 16: Burke Catholic, 6 p.m.
Oct. 19: S.S. Seward, 4:30 p.m.

Cross Country

Oct. 13: Camp Keowa (away), 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 24: OCIAA Championship
Nov 3: Section IX Championship