Red Level coach David Godwin had the goal in mind to start a track and field team when he took over as head football coach for the Tigers.

That goal has been accomplished as the RLS track and field team will compete in its first meet of the season today at T.R. Miller.

Godwin took over the football program last year after serving one season as the Tigers’ defensive coordinator under Tony Ingram.

The coach said he came up with the idea to give the students something else to do in the spring. Right now, RLS only offers baseball and softball during the spring.

“In the spring time, when things get slow, they’re looking for stuff to do,” Godwin said. “I thought it would be something for them to get involved in; something for the kids to have the opportunity to run and do that.

“We’re looking forward to the season and building on this,” he said.

Godwin said earlier this year that there would be around eight boys and four girls on the team. The Tigers will compete in three meets at TRM. After the regular season, the team will travel to Tuscaloosa at the University of Alabama to compete in sectionals.

Godwin said he believes that RLS had a track and field team a while ago, back in the 1980s, and that this team will bring in football and basketball players so they can show off their talents.

“We’re looking forward to it,” he said. “I think the kids we have out are excited about it.”