The Natchez-Adams School District is hoping a fresh outlook will bring new light to its football programs.

Re-established as the Natchez Gridiron Club, the district’s athletics booster program held its first official revamped meeting Tuesday at the Steckler Building.

Club president Brad Dean said though the organization is still in the process of regaining traction, he was pleased to see the nearly 20 attendants showing support Tuesday.

“What we want to do is grow into a larger club so we are starting ground up,” Dean said.

The previous booster club — the Touchdown Club — Dean said, had been struggling with participation in recent years. He said Superintendent Fred Butcher asked him this past July if he would step up this year as president.

Dean — a 1998 Natchez High School graduate — has experience as a public address announcer and also played as a middle linebacker at the school.

“We want to establish a new identity,” Dean said. “When I was asked, I accepted and here we are.”

Tuesday’s meeting was focused on ideas for the club — which serves middle school, junior varsity and varsity football teams — to start fundraising quickly and inexpensively.

The program’s main focus, the group agreed, would be on donations collected by high school football players with an idea called “Bulldog Bucks.”

The system would aim to collect $1 each from local supporters until each player reaches $25.

“It’s a quick fundraiser that is inexpensive, and most people can afford a dollar,” Dean said.

Other long-term fundraisers suggested at the meeting included T-shirt sales, sponsored banners to be displayed on the fences of Natchez High’s football field, spirit-item sales, including pompoms and glow sticks, and raffles during games.

Also introduced during the meeting was the urgency for advertisement sales for Natchez High’s 2017 football program — set to be published for its homecoming game on Oct. 6.

“As much community effort is out there, we want it,” Dean said.

The Natchez Gridiron Club will host its next meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Steckler Building.

For membership inquiries and questions about how to assist the club, contact Dean at bradrickdean@yahoo.com or 601-392-4143.