2019 Football/Parent’s Meeting

2019 Football/Parent’s Meeting We will post this power point on the athletic page of our school website and also on our Twitter page

Coaching Staff • Bob Czarnecki Tom Bridges (9) • Aaron Segedi Marc Gonyea (9) • Bill Miller Vince Porreca • Joe Petrena • Dave Marshall • Dylan Berry • Bob Powell • Jeff Charping • Cody Gundick • Kent Sikora • Nick Porreca

How we practice • The 10th-12th grade groups will drill together. • When a varsity coach does not have a primary position, he is free to help at the lower levels. • We design practice to free most of us up to be able to lend another set of eyes and ears. • At times, the 9th grade group will work with the JV group. • An example might be for a 7-on-7 allowing the best of each group to compete against one another.

Changes Melvindale has left the Downriver League; we had an open date which we filled with South Lyon. As most of you have seen, 9th grade football, in the area, is starting to dry up. To my knowledge, only New Boston Huron fields a 9th grade team in the Huron League. Our 9th grade team has a bye week due to Southgate not having a 9th grade team—the problem is small numbers that cause teams to fold as the season progresses.

Salesman • L.J is here to size and consult in terms of shoes, cloth, etc. • He has set up an online order system…no money here…pay on the site…receive orders at home. • I would suggest looking at purchasing a girdle that has the pads built in…found them to be more convenient.

Eligibility • Must pass 4 of 5 classes the semester prior to the season. Incoming 9th graders are all eligible. • Must have a physical on file in the athletic director’s office. Physicals are being offered on Friday, June 15th from 12-4. I would suggest they get them done at that time. • Must have a concussion form reviewed and signed in the athletic director’s office. • Fee:$ 130.00 • Lunches for doubles-$ 20.00

Friday, June 14th • I will meet with our seniors in my classroom at 9:00 a.m. • To my knowledge, the school will offer physicals again this year. We are not going to work out that day to allow our players to get physicals. • It is my desire that they all stay and get their physical immediately after they complete this task. It is so important that we get the physicals and the concussion form completed and turned in; it makes the first day less hectic. • Please make sure that all areas of the physical forms are completed and signed—if not, they will be returned to you.

Importance of Summer • I realize that they are going to be pulled in many different directions this summer. There is summer hockey, baseball, etc. Since football is next, it is my hope that it holds that importance to your sons. • We will work out on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 12/11th- 8:00am-10:00; 10/9th- 9:30 11:30. • 7 on 7 candidates have already been informed. • We have 7 dates to compete against other schools throwing and defending.

Summer • I cannot emphasize,enough,the importance of the summer—they can get stronger, faster, and aerobically ready for double sessions and the season. • It is a short summer as it is; It is important that they take every opportunity to condition themselves. • In the end, it will keep them safer. • There are two weeks where we will have limited or no contact with our players per the state.

Summer • The week of July 1st is a dead week; we will not have contact with our players. In the past, our seniors have organized conditioning workouts for the all grades. • The week of August 5th-9th is called down week. We cannot do anything “football specific” but can condition; we use that week to hand out equipment. M-12, T-11, W-10, and Th-9. We expect that everyone will attend each session because we condition prior to equipment selection.

Double Sessions • Double sessions will begin on Monday, August 12th at 8 am; we will take attendance at 7:55. • We will practice twice a day for the first two weeks of the season. The second practice tends to vary depending on the needs of the group. For the most part, we will be back out from 1:00 until about 3:30. • Lunch will be offered by the TD Club the first 3 days of practice…thus the $20.00 charge.

Pictures • Program Pictures will take place on Saturday, August 17th [time TBD]. Please feel free to come and take as many pictures as you would like to take. The pictures you take will be memories that they can tell lies about later…the older I get; the better player I was in high school!!! • Seriously, I want all of you to be a part of this journey they are on right now.

Family Picnic • We will gather on Wednesday, August 21st @ 6:00 pm for our program picnic. This is the 29th year of the picnic; I think people enjoy getting together. • We will announce our captains at this picnic; the event culminates with the introduction of our cheerleaders and players (all levels) on the game field. • More picture opportunities.

Scrimmage • On Thursday, August 22nd we will scrimmage Monroe Catholic Central and Redford Thurston. The JV team will start at 4 (on our practice field) bring a chair to sit in. The varsity scrimmage will begin at 6 on the game field. • The 9th grade team will scrimmage against New Boston Huron at New Boston Huron; Again, bring chairs. • We are charging canned goods as admission; they will then be taken to the church were we go to game day service. • Any questions about the service????

Game Week Prep • Following the scrimmage, we will have one long practice which will include film study, lifting, and on the field work (depending on what we saw the evening prior). • The following Monday we are getting ready for Edsel Ford. We will practice once a day; although, we may have them on campus longer that week. We have to take advantage of not having school.

Membership • This is a no cut sport; I want it that way. However, everyone here has to understand that all children will not play the same amount. That is the by product of not cutting. • I really do wish I could play everyone an equal amount; however, that has not been the reality. • I am counting on everyone here to understand what was said here this evening. • Please understand that playing time is not indicative of your sons importance to their team.

Membership • Lettering is simple; I will letter any young man (playing at the varsity level) who finishes the season in good standing. If they do what we ask, they deserve a letter no matter their playing time. • I guess this is a good time to talk about playing time; we try to play as many kids as possible and still put this team in the best possible position to succeed. Please understand, that yelling from the stands is not going to influence playing time. • Their ability, their work ethic, and attitude will help this coaching staff determine the amount of time each child plays. • Honestly, the more we can play; the better we will be in the long run.

Membership • We spend an inordinate amount of time talking about our rosters and who should play where. We try, as best we can, to make decisions based on where we believe your son will play when he becomes a varsity candidate. • This is another place where the summer is important as we start to put schemes in place. • Ultimately, I am the one who makes the final call on who plays where—just for the record.

Rules • This may sound ridiculous, but Coach Cook once taught me, “The fewer rules the better”. • So we try to have some very simple axioms: be where you are supposed to be when you are supposed to be there; Do nothing to embarrass yourself, our team, our school, or your family. • Just like at home, there will be consequences for actions that fly in the face of these axioms.

Rules • Just like playing time, I will determine what happens in any given situation. For instance, a child may miss practice because their mother is in the hospital; another because he wants to go to a Tiger’s game. Both missed practice, but I may treat each differently. I believe that we all do that at our homes; I do not have a “one deal fits all” policy. • Thus, absences are deemed excused or unexcused by me, as is the playing time effect of a missed practice.

Rules • The rest are real-life consequences. If you miss work, you will get fired. I believe it is better they learn now than later. • Practice is important for several obvious reasons; we are putting in schemes, revamping plans, honing skills, etc. The bottom line is your son has made a commitment to us and his team; he needs to learn to honor commitments.

Rules • I hope what we do goes beyond the playing field and their playing days and are lessons that will help them through their personal journey. I have heard from enough ex- players to know that what is said and done does have a lasting effect on many of them. Just like at home, you may be wondering if they are listening because their behavior indicates they are not…trust me…they are listening.

Injuries • They are an unfortunate by product of any sport or activity; we are lucky because we have Lori Holcomb. She does a terrific job of helping our kids recover from injury. However, she cannot help if they are not here. • We expect our injured players to come to practice and receive treatment from Miss Holcomb.

24 hour rule • I stole this from Coach Rod Baker (rest his soul) when he was at Wyandotte. • We are asking that everyone wait at least 24 hours before voicing a complaint. I will have to commend all of you, who have been with us over the years, we are lucky to have the parents we have compared to some of the horror stories I have heard from other coaches in this league. Of course, I am not surprised.

24 • This gives all of us a chance to calm down and reassess what may have taken place. • Our assistant coaches have been reminded not to take a parking lot visit with any of you. That comes from me; it is not them trying to be rude to you. • Nothing good has been decided in a parking lot, at least not in my experience.

Process • This is the process (to question something) that we have taught and followed since I have been here: First, have your son go to his position coach. Secondly, if there is no resolution, I will sit with the coach and player and try to resolve the issue (remember, this may not always work out the way everyone would hope it would). Next, if there is not a resolution, we will involve the position coach, myself, parents, and the player involved.

Process • I think the responsibility falls on the player’s shoulders to resolve issues. I hope that you will encourage your sons to follow this procedure. I do not think, as they get older, they are going to expect or want a parent to take up for them. Too many ugly things have happened over the years, in other sports here, and nationwide. We need to teach our children to be problem solvers.

Zero Tolerance • I will dismiss a players who is caught drinking or using drugs. I hope that hanging this over their head will help them make good choices. • Just so you understand how serious I am about this; our coaches are under the same policy, myself included. • The last thing I want to do is have to put my arms around any of you at Martenson’s.

Special Health Situations • In the past, we have had players who have medical conditions that need monitoring. We need to know about these players so that we can also keep our eyes open. Inhalers, testing kits, etc. have been on the practice field for those players to use (obviously, those are prescribed to the players). • We have not had a medical emergency since I have been here because we have been made aware early. • This is another area where Lori is invaluable. She makes the calls on whether a player can practice, if they need some time out of practice, etc.

Banquet • Our banquet is for grades 10-12…which is not an attempt to slight our 9th graders. In the past, I have seen our 9th graders get awards and then their families sneak out. They will have their own little gathering. • It becomes too long a night if all are in attendance; again, we are not trying to slight anyone, just trying to be practical.

Misc. • Three seasons ago, it was brought to my attention that one of our “fans” was yelling ugly things from the stands at Lori. I cannot think of a more cowardly thing to do. That is not how we conduct ourselves; at least, that is not the Trenton I grew up in. • Two seasons ago, we were sent a picture of a female who was yelling from the stands at Southgate Anderson; Her yelling did nothing to affect the outcome of the game, nor the playing time of any team members. • Be a fan, cheer the kids on…I understand the pressures of being a parent of a player. I hope all of us can find a way to enjoy this time in our son’s lives, as well as making their experience enjoyable.

Misc • Camps, Combines, etc.- that is your call. Just make sure that your son is combine ready. These have become the latest meat markets in our sport; unfortunately, it is the best way to be seen by many and the best way to get the maximum exposure. However, be realistic. • Recruiting- this has changed drastically over the last few years; with the advent of Social Media the mechanics have changed. • Let me try to make this clear to all of you; I am as heart- broken as you are when we have a player, who I think, can play at a particular school and the school does not agree.

Misc • I will do whatever I can do; however, I can only do so much. • I guess it would be like asking a girl out…we called her several times, texted, emailed, and she doesn’t respond or tells us that she will get back to us and never does. At what time do we get that not so subtle hint? • I think I have a fair command of the levels our kids can play at upon graduation; ultimately, I do not make those decisions. • I try to be honest with the college coaches I deal with knowing that I need them to keep coming back to Trenton High School..

Misc • Please be careful with the cloth; If it comes back pink, it will not be hard to see your son on the field, he will be in pink!!! • We are entering a really dangerous time of the year; graduation parties are right around the corner. • Remember, their eligibility starts right now. • I stopped going to grad parties when I started to notice the inordinate amount of red plastic cups in our students’ hands.

Online Fundraiser • We have been working with a company called Eteamsponsor over the last few seasons, and we have generated a substantial amount of money for our program. We are holding this fundraiser once again in 2019. • What we need from you: a list of 20 email addresses of relatives, family friends, old coaches, doctors, lawyers, etc. We need their first and last name, email address, and their relationship to your son. • Returning players still have old emails in the system. They are encouraged to bring more if possible. • Players will import these email addresses into a website, and then they are done with the exception of posting a fundraiser link to their social media pages to get it out to more people. The rest takes care of itself • These emails are not sold or released outside of Eteamsponsor

Stay Informed • Our school athletic website www.trentonathletics.com • You will find schedules, game results and a embedded calendar of events on this site. • Our Twitter handle is @trentontrojanfb • Follow us for reminders, updates, news, etc. • To sign up for our all-levels Remind group, text the message @7hhc4e to the number 81010.

Last but not least • This is the Trenton Touchdown Club’s 29th year. • It has been kept afloat by some very dedicated parents; unfortunately, not enough of them. I implore all of you to get involved with this club. Its soul purpose is to generate scholarship monies for your sons and our cheer team. • The more people involved; the easier it is for everyone.

2019 Football/Parent’s Meeting