SELMA — New Selma High School football coach Leroy Miles wasted little time getting the community together around his team.

Miles started a series of weekly cookouts last Thursday with about 30 members of the community present.

“A lot of people are excited,” Miles said. “We had some members of the city council, the superintendent and members of the school board at the first one. We’ve had people want to sponsor it. It’s starting to bring the community together.”

Miles said the entire community invited each Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the Hut on Franklin Street, but each week different groups of people will be specifically invited. This week, it is area pastors.

“Once football season starts, coach Miles wants to take players to visit a different church every Sunday,” Tammy Maul, a friend of Miles who is helping to organize the cookout, said. “We want to involve the community and encourage school spirit and community spirit.”

Miles said the response was immediate.

“They get to see these kids working hard in the weight room,” Miles said. “They can meet the kids and show their appreciation.”

Maul wanted to help because she believes the events can help show the players how much they are appreciated and keep them on the right path.

“Without strong community support, the schools wouldn’t flourish like they can,” Maul said. “When you know someone cares about you, you tend to stray away from things that get you in trouble.”

Miles said he is hoping to get local businesses involved and receive donations of food such as hot dogs, hamburgers and buns.