NEWBERRY — Every year for the last seven or eight years the Newberry County Touchdown Club has given back to the Newberry College Wolves by giving them watermelons to kick off the season.

“Today we are doing our Watermelon Cutting. We do this every year for the college, kind of a wrap up of summer practice, and kick off the season. We enjoy it, I know the kids enjoy it and we always have a great turn out,” said Austin Willingham, president of the Newberry County Touchdown Club.

One thing Willingham said about the players is that they are always polite and thankful each year.

“Coach Knight has done a great job. He and his coaching staff, they really just make sure the kids are polite, thankful for everything. We cannot appreciate it enough how the represent our community,” he said.

Every year the Touchdown Club gives 40 watermelons and cuts them into quarters. Willingham said it worked out perfectly this year and they only had two left over.

Players biting into a freshly cut watermelon.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_DSC_0804.jpgPlayers biting into a freshly cut watermelon. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

Members of the Touchdown Club, including Sheriff Lee Foster, prepare the watermelons.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_DSC_0785.jpgMembers of the Touchdown Club, including Sheriff Lee Foster, prepare the watermelons. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

Getting ready to take a big bite.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_DSC_0790.jpgGetting ready to take a big bite. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

Players begin forming a line to get some watermelon.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_DSC_0795.jpgPlayers begin forming a line to get some watermelon. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

Each player thanked every member of the Touchdown Club that came out to provide watermelons.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_DSC_0798.jpgEach player thanked every member of the Touchdown Club that came out to provide watermelons. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

Even some coaches get in on the watermelon.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_DSC_0824.jpgEven some coaches get in on the watermelon. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

A crowd of Newberry Wolves has formed for watermelon.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_DSC_0808.jpgA crowd of Newberry Wolves has formed for watermelon. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

The Touchdown Club has been giving out watermelons to the Wolves for the past seven or eight years.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_DSC_0810.jpgThe Touchdown Club has been giving out watermelons to the Wolves for the past seven or eight years. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

Players relax while enjoying watermelon.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_DSC_0813.jpgPlayers relax while enjoying watermelon. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

The watermelons are always a big hit with the players.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_DSC_0814.jpgThe watermelons are always a big hit with the players. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

Players hang out in the shade while eating watermelon.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_DSC_0815.jpgPlayers hang out in the shade while eating watermelon. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

A face full of watermelon.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_DSC_0816.jpgA face full of watermelon. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

This player goes for the biggest piece of watermelon he can find.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_DSC_0819.jpgThis player goes for the biggest piece of watermelon he can find. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

The watermelons are not just for players, but anyone at practice.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_DSC_0820.jpgThe watermelons are not just for players, but anyone at practice. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

Having a chat while eating a watermelon.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_DSC_0823.jpgHaving a chat while eating a watermelon. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

Austin Willingham, president of Newberry County Touchdown Club, cuts into watermelon for the Newberry College football players to enjoy after practice on Saturday.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_DSC_0784.jpgAustin Willingham, president of Newberry County Touchdown Club, cuts into watermelon for the Newberry College football players to enjoy after practice on Saturday. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

By Andrew Wigger

awigger@s24514.p831.sites.pressdns.com

Reach Andrew Wigger at 803-276-0625 ext. 1867 or on Twitter @TheNBOnews.