Post by dangerzone on Dec 17, 2010 22:49:04 GMT -6
I have been coming to this site for almost 4 years but I would categorize my participation in debates at the "lurker" level 
. I just wanted to share our programs success this year with some of the people that helped along the way.
In April I was asked to take over a once popular football program that had been stopped for about 8 years. In fact as a child, I played in this program. Now I had just resigned from my head coaching spot at another program in my same city. So at the time I was just going to give youth ball a rest and enjoy my son's first year as a HS freshman.
The program had zero money, no volunteers, no equipment and really no league in which to play in. (YIKES) But what it did have was its name and rich tradition. It also had a neighborhood that needed the youth to be a part of something other than a gang.
So the first thing I did was talk it over with my family and close friends. Got together some people that worked with me at the other youth program and either had quit before me or were tired of the way things were being done there. Held a general interest meeting with the community and next thing I knew we were in business...Kinda
We got a board together, hit the streets and got sponsorships, made flyer's and yard signs advertising our rebirth, and held a few fundraisers...Well we got the $$ needed for the equipment, found a local league signed up approx 120 kids and got ready to start in Aug.
This year we had 4 teams k-2 flag team, 3/4th 5/6th 7/8th grade tackle teams as well as a 20 girl cheer team.
I got the coaches together, had a few meetings established a base offense and defense package for the ENTIRE program to follow, and set up a summer camp with the cooperation of the HS Varsity coaches and players.
By the end of Aug it looked liked we have been around for years, the parents were excited, the players looked and felt good but more importantly the community was really behind the rebirth of the program.
To make a long story short we had a great football season! 3/4 grade team although starting off rough won the last 4 games of the season, 5/6th grade team made it to the playoffs and lost to the 1st seed in a close 8-6 game and the 7/8th 8-1 overall record and won the championship in our first year.
We had 250 people at our end of season banquet, allot of tears and laughs but mainly allot of "wow you guys really pulled it off" through the afternoon.
The season had its speed bumps and road hazards throughout the year but in the end it all worked itself out.
As I sit here and think about next season already, I want to sit back and really think about what we did in a short span of time. I truly believe its from visiting this site religiously along with some others. I want to thank everyone here who takes the time to share their experiences with other youth coaches all over the country. We are "brothers" in a way and I know that the things I learn and read on this forum has helped our program dramatically. Thanks for everyones help and I will continue to visit this site and "lurk" Happy Holidays to everyone!!!
. I just wanted to share our programs success this year with some of the people that helped along the way.In April I was asked to take over a once popular football program that had been stopped for about 8 years. In fact as a child, I played in this program. Now I had just resigned from my head coaching spot at another program in my same city. So at the time I was just going to give youth ball a rest and enjoy my son's first year as a HS freshman.
The program had zero money, no volunteers, no equipment and really no league in which to play in. (YIKES) But what it did have was its name and rich tradition. It also had a neighborhood that needed the youth to be a part of something other than a gang.
So the first thing I did was talk it over with my family and close friends. Got together some people that worked with me at the other youth program and either had quit before me or were tired of the way things were being done there. Held a general interest meeting with the community and next thing I knew we were in business...Kinda
We got a board together, hit the streets and got sponsorships, made flyer's and yard signs advertising our rebirth, and held a few fundraisers...Well we got the $$ needed for the equipment, found a local league signed up approx 120 kids and got ready to start in Aug.
This year we had 4 teams k-2 flag team, 3/4th 5/6th 7/8th grade tackle teams as well as a 20 girl cheer team.
I got the coaches together, had a few meetings established a base offense and defense package for the ENTIRE program to follow, and set up a summer camp with the cooperation of the HS Varsity coaches and players.
By the end of Aug it looked liked we have been around for years, the parents were excited, the players looked and felt good but more importantly the community was really behind the rebirth of the program.
To make a long story short we had a great football season! 3/4 grade team although starting off rough won the last 4 games of the season, 5/6th grade team made it to the playoffs and lost to the 1st seed in a close 8-6 game and the 7/8th 8-1 overall record and won the championship in our first year.
We had 250 people at our end of season banquet, allot of tears and laughs but mainly allot of "wow you guys really pulled it off" through the afternoon.
The season had its speed bumps and road hazards throughout the year but in the end it all worked itself out.
As I sit here and think about next season already, I want to sit back and really think about what we did in a short span of time. I truly believe its from visiting this site religiously along with some others. I want to thank everyone here who takes the time to share their experiences with other youth coaches all over the country. We are "brothers" in a way and I know that the things I learn and read on this forum has helped our program dramatically. Thanks for everyones help and I will continue to visit this site and "lurk" Happy Holidays to everyone!!!
