Jeromy Graybill's job at Siuslaw High School includes something old, something new and something borrowed.

And of course something blue, and gold, which he now bleeds as the second-year athletic director for the Vikings.

"Last year went real good," said Graybill, who Monday welcomed athletes to the first week of practice for fall sports. "Your first year, it's not always going to go smooth, but it was as best as expected.

"The first year you learn the ins and outs, kinda like going into a dark room and grabbing stuff."

He started by grabbing all he could learn from a veteran coaching staff.

"There are great programs here, with great coaches who have been established here for a long time," said Graybill. "I kept my mind open, like a parachute. It works better that way."

Monday he started work on his second year, as students began practice for fall sports.

"That's the band playing in the background," he said. "Everybody's out. Football starts at 4:30 (p.m.), volleyball's going on, cheerleading is going on, cross country's going on, the buzz is going on.

"It's an exciting week. The kids are starting to get into it. They haven't done much all summer, they're getting back with their friends, and they're probably getting yelled at already."

The something new this year is registration online for athletics. An online payment system was approved Monday.

"We have a plethora of things going on with registration," he said. "We get over 150 kids registering at this time, all online. It's really user-friendly. Kids will still have to register every year, but now their information is stored.

"It makes it a lot easier for parents and coaches. Coaches get a good idea of who's signed up, and who hasn't, and who they have to get on to sign up."

Meanwhile, he's borrowing all the ideas he can to make ends meet. It's an ongoing process that includes everyone, with the generous support of an active school booster club.

"We only operate at 80 percent funding," said Graybill. "We have to come up with the rest. The booster club helps us. And coaches have their own fundraisers.

"If we can't make up the difference, we'll have to cut a program. And no one wants that, because all of this if for the kids."

He figures he's paying back, while paying his dues.

"This just happened to be a great opportunity for me," said Graybill. "I've always been in sports, since grade school.

"It's made a big impact in my life."