High school football isn’t just about the players, coaches or student body, it’s about the community. And nothing compares to an entire town shutting down for a game.

Come gameday, local business owners, school board members, parents and alumni fill the stands.

But the overwhelming support and sense of pride that community members bring to the high school football realm isn’t a one-way street. Coaches and athletes understand what football means to their town or city and seek opportunities to continue building unity.

Bill Williams, the head coach at Holdenville High School in Holdenville, Okla. and a USA Football National Team coach, believes that the relationship between the community and football is of the upmost importance.

“The effort from both the athletes and the town to be a part of something great is mutual,” Williams said. “When you’re a part of something great, it makes everyone involved feel good while building pride and unity.”

Williams has seen the direct effect that a positive relationship between his athletes and members of the community can have. Each year Williams and his team go to a local nursing home during the Christmas season to sing Christmas carols, and both parties leave with plenty of cheer.

“Every time we go we see the impact that we have,” Williams said. “What they might not realize is just how much our athletes take away from the interactions with the people of our town. We’re in this together and we want to make Holdenville proud.”

There are plenty of ways for coaches and athletes to get involved with the community such as car washes, food drives, supporting local businesses, visiting nursing homes and having a booth at the town fair can all make an impact.

Williams believes it is the responsibility of the head coach to relay the importance of community to his team.

“It’s the duty of high school coaches to teach these kids to give back to their community,” Williams said. “We need to let the town know that we are grateful for all they do for us, we want them to know that we will represent them the right way. And that all starts with the leadership of the head coach.”

Giving back also helps allows athletes to feel proud about where they come from and have fun while doing so. It may seem like a bother to an athlete who has homework, a social life and other extracurricular commitments, but once they get involved they will see the value of giving back.

Williams offers three pieces of advice to head coaches looking to further their involvement with the community:

Teach your athletes that community is bigger than wins and losses. To make sure they understand to be proud of where they come from, the history of where they come from and the traditions associated with their community.

Understand gratitude. Realize what you have and why it’s important to give back.

Find the things that can make a difference in the community. Use your knowledge of what is happening in the town to create positive events and actions that can really show how much you care about the community.

The atmosphere of a high school football game is unique because it really is about more than just those lining up on the field.

It’s about the members of the community, those that donated time, money and goods to the program. That’s why giving back is the right way to build unity, respect and support for a program.