Photo credit: Midland Rec Division Commissioner Antwan Alexander

What to know: A new youth sports program is taking off in Midland. The Midland Rec Division (MRD) has launched a school-based program that brings flag football and cheer directly into elementary schools, reaching more than 500 students in its first season. Designed for 1st through 6th grade, the program blends competition, accessibility, and character development all within the school environment.

MRD currently serves six campuses, Bonham, Bunche, General Franks, Milam, Pease, and South, offering 9-on-9 flag football for younger athletes, 7-on-7 for older groups, and a full cheer program. The Permian Press sat down with Midland Rec Division Commissioner Antwan Alexander to discuss the program and the benefits he hopes kids gain from it.

Alexander was a standout defensive back for the Lee Rebels, earning All-District and All-State honors and gaining recognition as one of the top players in the region. His continued playing football at Texas Tech University, where he says he further developed his understanding of the game, work ethic, and leadership skills.

The big picture: At its core, MRD is about developing kids in ways that last beyond the field.

“We’re not only concentrating on developing the athlete physically, but we want to develop them as a person,” Alexander said. “Not everybody’s going to make it to the pros, but they’re going to become adults. Those adults will be taking care of the older generations.”

That approach shows up in how the program is structured. Costs are kept low at $25 per child, and MRD provides uniforms, Helo (soft) helmets, and even physicals to remove barriers and give more kids the opportunity to participate. As a result, the impact is already visible on campuses. Students are wearing their jerseys to school, celebrating with teammates in the hallways, and building connections across grade levels.

“This has created school pride,” Alexander said. “It’s built relationships among kids that wouldn’t normally talk to each other. The morale of the school and the positive impacts are reverberating through everyone.”

Games are played on Saturdays, and the schedules, standings, and playoffs give younger athletes a structured version of the “Friday night lights” atmosphere.

Go deeper: MRD separates athletes into three divisions, 1st/2nd, 3rd/4th, and 5th/6th, allowing development to match each stage. Younger groups focus on fundamentals and building confidence in the game, while older athletes begin to learn strategy, positioning, and execution. For 5th- and 6th-graders, the program focuses on the “3C’s” — character, commitment, and community.

“Character is who you are when no one is watching,” Alexander said. “Commitment is staying dedicated when it’s hard. And community is about impact beyond yourself.”

That same standard extends to families. The program emphasizes accountability across the board, including academics with a “no pass, no play” policy and parent involvement.

“There is responsibility for the parent,” Alexander said. “We’re trying to make this as easy as possible, but it takes investment. Not just financially, but your time, your engagement, and supporting your child the right way.”

MRD leans heavily on Midland itself. Coaches are volunteers, often parents or former students, and schools host team events that bring families together.

“Just experiencing how thick the joy is when these kids come out,” Alexander said. “You see it on their faces, in the air, it’s contagious. We want that throughout all the elementary schools.”

What’s next: MRD is actively looking for local organizations, businesses, and foundations to help fund expansion and bring the program to more kids. If you are interested in being a partner, you can contact them for more information. There is no official start date for next season yet, but to stay up to date when signups drop, follow MRD on Instagram or visit their website.