January 25, 2006 Menchville football coach John Byron thought it might be a long shot, but he asked anyway.

When former Monarch star David Macklin, now a cornerback with the Arizona Cardinals, was at Fort Eustis hosting a football camp last July, Byron asked if Macklin would be interested in helping the Monarchs get new equipment for their weight room.

"He (Macklin) said he would love to," Byron said. "But a lot of times it starts and it ends there, because of everything professional athletes have going on."

When Macklin called Byron back in August to let him know that he would not only donate $5,000, but also got the NFL Players' Association to donate $5,000, Byron was floored.

Macklin, who ran for more than 2,000 yards and 28 touchdowns for the Monarchs while doubling at running back, stopped by Menchville on Tuesday to drop off the donations and speak to Monarch athletes about hard work and perseverance.

"I just wanted to help out," Macklin said. "I wanted to give them more than I had when I was here."

Macklin's family still lives in the area, and he said that he had always wanted to give back to his school, but he wanted to make sure that he made the right contribution.

"I wanted it to be something that would not only help out with football, but all of the sports," said Macklin, who played for the Monarchs from 1992-96. "I remembered that when I was there, the weight room needed to be revamped, so I felt like that could be a big help."

The Monarchs football team hasn't had a winning season since the Macklin era.

Monarch athletes won't have to wait long to see how much the donation helped. Byron expects a new rubber floor and mirrors to be in the weight room by the end of February. Other upgrades will follow.

He also hopes that the allure of the new weight room will encourage more participation from athletes, and ultimately turn around the football program, which hasn't won a game in two years.

"We've got guys coming into the weight room now at 5:30 a.m., and I think that because of the new equipment more will join," Byron said."It's showing our athletes that we want the best for them, and that we appreciate their hard work. Things will turn around for our program. It's only a matter of time."

The Monarchs excel in girls track, baseball, girls swimming, golf, boys basketball and boys volleyball, and Macklin agrees that the football program can turnaround. But he also thinks that the new weight room will pay dividends for every sport at Menchville.

"I hope this will help get the whole athletic program going," he said. "I'm just glad that I could help."

Pics of the event

Dave Macklin with Mr. Surry and Mr. Edwards.	Dave signs autographs
"Smile Dave!"	Dave presents the check.
"Coach Byron, he's ineligible. You can stop the recruiting pitch."	Coach Byron chats with Davids Dad. Mr. Macklin teaches in Newport News schools.
Everyone poses with Dave.	Dave hopes to inspire the next generation. We thank you Dave!