Bainbridge High School varsity football team Head Coach Andy Grimm stands with Zack Glass and Deano Perlatti and the Spartan football team’s shield-shaped legacy plaque.

The newly arrived, custom-designed decoration will be engraved with the names of every Spartan football player that had played all of their eligible years in high school throughout the past several decades before eventually being put up in a place of display at the school.

The innovative project and accompanying plaque are part of a renewal of interest in the football program at the high school, and a celebration of its important legacy, said Kimberly Raymond, a Spartan “team mom” supporter. She also said that football as a sport, has an undeserved bad reputation.

“There’s a lot of unrest right now in the football world on the island,” she said. “[Football] is misunderstood. People assume football is the worst sport for concussions, actually that isn’t true.”

The varsity football team closed the book on a disappointing 1-9 season late last year, leading many involved with the program desiring a league change and a chance at a new area of competition.

“[We’re] hoping to be moved out of the private school division,” Raymond said.

The shield is set to be engraved soon, following the input and clarification of names to be included by Grimm, who has been involved with the program both as a player and coach for many years.