The Lion's Roar

The Lions Roar is Riverwalk Academy's weekly athletic newsletter. Each week we will keep you updated about what is going on in our athletic program. Introduce you to one of our student athletes, and provide you with information that is beneficial to you and your athlete as they strive to improve every day.

Riverwalk Academy’s athletic program, governed by the South Carolina High School League (SCHSL), offers students in grades 7–12 the opportunity to compete in a variety of sports. Our coaches are dedicated to supporting student-athletes in their athletic journey while emphasizing academics, character development, and continuous improvement.

We strive to build well-rounded individuals by fostering perseverance, sportsmanship, and teamwork—traits that serve athletes well both on and off the field. Through goal setting, hard work, and overcoming challenges, our athletes develop resilience and determination that extend beyond the playing field. At Riverwalk, success is measured not only by wins but also by personal growth, teamwork, and the lasting lessons learned through competition.

Sports physicals for the 25-26 school year must be dated after April 1, 2025. Athletic physicals, as well as other necessary document, must be uploaded into planetHS before students are allowed to participate in athletics.

Broken to Better will provide athletic physicals in their office for a cost of $25.

Please contact Mr. Ball with any questions.

Directions for planetHS

Athletic Physical Form

There is an athletic fee of $65 per athlete per sport to compete in athletics. The athletic fee is used to help purchase athletic uniforms, shirts, equipment, insurance, rental fees, and other athletic costs. The athletic fees are due prior to the first competition. Fees can be paid on the school store or by clicking here.

We do offer an opportunity for a reduced fee of $50.00, which can be used for one sports season. To receive the “NFHS” rate parents need to complete the NFHS parent certification courses and the sportsmanship course.

If you have any questions please reach out to Mr. Ball.

August 12 - Cross Country scrimmage - Chester 5:00

August 13 - Swim Mock Meet - RHAC - 6:00

Get your team gear at the Riverwalk Cheer 2025 My Team Shop by August 11th! https://bit.ly/3GpTJMw

Students in grades 7-12 that might be interested in joining the cheer team should contact Coach Rollins or Coach Huffstetler. Before attending any practice athletes need to take the following steps:

• Must have a recent physical (dated any time after April 2025)
• You must provide a copy of your birth certificate in PlanetHS
• Must upload the physical in PlanetHS and complete all the paperwork as outlined on the site
• Must pay the athletic fee of $65 (a minor discount can be given if parents complete 4 courses, which I can send that information if parents are interested in receiving the discount towards the fee).

We are excited to be able to continue our fundraising efforts. We encourage each cheerleader to share with their family and friends in an effort to continue to support the 2025-2026 cheer program.

https://riverwalkacademystore.square.site/product/2025-riverwalk-cheerleading-donations/259

Contacts: Coach Rollins mail

Coach Huffstetler mail

Get your team gear at the Riverwalk Cross Country 2025 My Team Shop by August 28th! https://bit.ly/46o1fC5

Great first week of practice! Let's remember to keep building and chiseling away - our continuous goal is to make the best version of ourselves and remember this takes TIME. We as coaches see a lot of great things, especially with our intentionality and approach to practice. Great job.

Ways to "keep building" outside of practice:

1. Body weight exercises. Simple, easy and effective. We did these over the summer and they worked! They assist with not only making us stronger/faster runners but help with injury prevention, and that's key to sustain. Squats, situps, hips and glutes, single leg toe touches, just to name a few.

2. Keep discovering your role, and defining/refining your "why". I know I say this a lot but it's so much fun to discover purpose on a team. It delivers a sustainable sense of accomplishment and helps others in the process. A beautiful thing. Some of you have already started to see and process this, and it shows. Excellent.

3. Run! Find the best time to run with your schedule. Run solo, get a hold of teammates if you're able, set benchmarks and goals. If you do these things it will only help you with each week ahead.

4. Rest, recover, and reflect. Take time for yourself, be kind and trust that life is a process. We have many things to be thankful for and focusing on the positives can really shift our perspective from the distractions and noise around us to an attitude of gratitude.

Keep up the great work, we're proud of you!

Contacts: Coach M. Wilson mail

Coach T. Wilson mail

Get your team gear at the Riverwalk Swimming 2025 My Team Shop by August 11th! https://bit.ly/4o6AU1y

Contact: Coach Palmer mail

Get your team gear at the Riverwalk Volleyball 2025 My Team Shop by August 11th. https://bit.ly/4nHq41T

Click here for your volleyball equipment: https://bit.ly/4nIwGxb

Congrats to all of our players who made the team! You all worked hard and I’m super proud of you.

We are still looking for volunteers for line judging and away game meals. Please signup on the following link:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0849ABAA28ABFDC70-57706886-varsity

Help our volleyball team meet their fundraising goals by donating through our Snap platform.

Contacts: Varsity Coach George mail

Middle Coach Z. Washington mail

Contacts: Varsity Coach Dawson mail

Middle Coach Boatwright mail

Contact: Coach Glenn mail

Coming soon...

Contact: Coach McConnell mail

Coming soon...

Contact: Coach L. Washington mail

Looking for a way to show off your school pride? We have stickers available for purchase on the school store for $5.00.

We now have two options for you to purchase Riverwalk clothing items

The Riverwalk BSN Sideline Store is always open! Click here to purchase shirts, shorts, hats, and other accessories!

The Jostens Mascot Shop is available to purchase shirts, shorts, hats, jackets, and other items!

Student athletes that are part of a varsity team before the first competition and remain with the team throughout the year will earn a varsity letter.

Letterman jackets can be purchased through Jostens.

Click here for the sizing chart.

The basic letterman's jacket for Riverwalk Academy has already been designed and can be found on the website. From there you can customize the jacket to fit your taste.

Richard Ball

rball@riverwalkacademy.com

803-327-8423