An Alabama high school football team with 91 straight losses is turning to a new strategy to get in the win column — a sweat analysis led by Gatorade.
An Alabama high school football team that has lost 91 games in a row is turning to new tactics to improve the team and get into the win column.
Under new head coach Sammie Coates, who played in the NFL from 2015-18, Columbia High School (Huntsville, Ala.) has partnered with Gatorade for personalized sweat testing and education. These sweat profiles will provide hydration recommendations to maximize players' performance and recovery, according to a press release.
Gatorade is also providing sideline equipment and products this season, as well as offering connections with pro athletes the company has partnered with or sponsored like Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson.
Columbia, whose last win was on Oct. 16, 2015, according to MaxPreps — nearly 10 years ago — will be the subject of a documentary series this fall led by Gatorade and NFL Films called, "All the Reasons Not to Quit – The Columbia HS Story."
"With [Gatorade's] support, our guys are training smarter, performing more efficiently and learning what it takes to be great on and off the field," Coates said in a statement. "This is bigger than football. It’s about teaching discipline, belief and building something special together as a team, and I’m proud to coach these young men."
This is not the only sweat study the company is running. The Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI) announced its testing on WNBA players in July, addressing an often overlooked subset of athletes.
“For 40 years, GSSI has been turning sports science into real performance gains – and we’re proud to back the Columbia High School football team as they pursue not only their first victory, but multiple victories moving forward," said GSSI associate principal scientist Kevin Luhrs. "Through sweat testing and education on their hydration and fueling needs, we’re helping these student-athletes understand their bodies a little more so they can be at their absolute best.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY High School Sports Wire: Gatorade partners with Alabama high school to help end infamous streak
Category: General Sports
