May 21, 2011
Attention Dutchmen Players, Parents and Guardians:
THE 2011 FOOTBALL SEASON IS UNDERWAY!
Thank you for taking the time to read through this important program material. Special thanks to all of you who have helped out this off-season, from our Pasta Dinner fundraiser to the RPI 7 on 7 tournament. Your help promotes the spirit and tradition of Dutchmen Football. Thank you!
Spring challenges us. It takes forever to sit through the cold weather and rain as we gradually wait for our yards to come back and the fields to dry out. Then, seemingly overnight, the grass is knee-high and we are figuratively and literally in the thick of the spring blossoms and sports competitions.
In preparing for the football season our challenge is far greater – we carry the same anticipation but for only a golden few Saturday mornings, Wednesday afternoons and thrilling Friday Nights. Our preparation from this point out is vital – consider: In less than five months our Varsity team will be in the second round of the playoffs while our JV, Freshman and Modified teams will be in the final week of their seasons.
Our 2011 season Seniors met this winter and set championship level goals for the upcoming season. They know that to build a championship team we must relentlessly and consistently invest in our out-of-season events - to a greater extent than has ever been accomplished. To this end we recorded our highest Winter training participation ever and have had our most active spring-sport involvement ever with dozens of our players on the Guilderland track, baseball and lacrosse teams.
So while we still may be in “Spring” mode, it is critical that we set our sporting clocks to FOOTBALL SEASON in order for our season to be a success
Camps and clinics, team builders and fundraisers – many of these events are exciting and fun. But the core element of out-of-season preparation is our strength and conditioning program at GHS.
“Preparation is not fun. It's hard work and difficult, but doing something difficult builds character. It's difficult to have fun with drudgery and repetition. The fun is on game night, making it pay off."
Bob Ladouceur, De La Salle Football (CA)
32 year record of 374 wins, 24 losses and 3 ties
THERE ARE NO SHORTCUTS IN FOOTBALL
OUR TOP PRIORITIES ARE TRAINING, BLACK AND BLUE CAMP AND PRESEASON CAMP. DETAILS:
STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING SUMMER SCHEDULEJune 27 – August 12
Mondays:12:30 – 2:00, 6:15 – 7:45 p.m.
Tuesdays: 12:30 – 2:00,6:15 – 7:45 p.m.
Wednesdays:6:15 – 8:00 p.m.
Thursdays:12:30 – 2:00, 6:15 – 7:45 p.m.
Fridays: 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Our lead coaches for the strength and conditioning program this summer areCoach Schewe, Coach Favro and Coach Penna. Each will lead the players through an intense 60-75 minute workout that will be tailored to each player’s ability and development. Players should arrive 5-10 minutes beforethe start of the session. They attend one session per day, 2-4 times per week (Freshmen attend two minimum, JV and Varsity attend 3-4). Through this program we are:
- BUILDING BETTER ATHLETES: Our training program builds strength, stamina, agility and speed. We build core strength and flexibility in the abdomen, hips and lower back. We prioritize ground-based athletic movements that train the whole athlete. We perform agility/speed drills and Strongman activities. We emphasize proper form and movement before encouraging athletes to perform heavy lifts.
- AVOIDING INJURY: Studies in all sports continue to prove the advantages of proper strength and conditioning. Participation in our program greatly reduces the chance of injury during the season.
- PROMOTING TEAM: Players will push each other through team competitions, timed workouts and competitive goals they set each workout.They push each other and protect each other just as they will do on the football field. NEW THIS YEAR – Wednesday nights we will have an extended session that includes skill development and Captain’s practice
- ENSURING PROPER PREPARATION: Training at the ‘Y’, in your basement, or even with some of the personal trainers and coaches out there will not meet all of the above criteria.Our program ensures each player will excel through the rigors of organized football.
- HOLDING OURSELVES ACCOUNTABLE: No more are players “off the radar” for the summer. When a player is with us, we know he is preparing. If he is not with us, we know to contact him. Questions? Interests? Concerns? Stop by our sessions and see for yourself.
Please note: During Exams, June 15 – 23, the weight room will continue to be open after school; players should check in with Coach Jensen for specific times to train.
BLACK AND BLUE CAMP: Our eighth annual contact camp will run from Monday to Friday, 3:30 – 7:00, with our official starting time being 4:00. At 3:30 and after 6:30, players will have the opportunity to practice additional drills (kicking, snapping, QB-Center exchanges, etc.) and get one-on-one attention from the staff and trainer.Cost is $100; only $50 for players who make the commitment to attend Union camp. Register through Coach Penna for this discount; brochures are located in the weight room and players can bring them in or they can be sent in to the school This is a high priority camp; players should see Coach Penna if they cannot attend.
PRESEASON: Preseason camp performance dictates the success of the team and of an individual player. At the JV and Varsity levels, missing more than one day will make your son INELIGIBLE for the first game and will jeopardize the success of the team. Please make your vacation plans for other times during the summer and arrange transportation plans in advance. Also, given the grueling nature of double-sessions, players are advised to drastically cut down their work hours or stop any part-time work altogether. We will provide additional preseason informationin our summer mailing.
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COMPLETE LIST OF FOOTBALL EVENTS
Review this list for the times and dates of upcoming events in the program this summer. All events are encouraged for all players unless otherwise noted:
DUTCHMEN FOOTBALL SPRING/SUMMER CALENDAR
DateEventTimePlace
May 22Challenger Football Community Event1:00 – 4:00 p.m.Game Field
May 26Final Spring Training Team Builder4:00 – 5:30 p.m.Weight Room
May 31 – June 3Athletic Testing (Varsity and JV)2:30 – 4:30 p.m.Weight Room
May 31 – June 3Equipment Distribution (Varsity and JV)2:30 – 4:30 p.m.Locker Room
June 3Ath. Testing and Equip. Distrib. (Freshmen)3:45 – 6:00 p.m.Weight Room
June 5Linemen Challenge8 a.m. – 3 p.m. SUNY Albany
June 6-10 Black and Blue Camp4 – 7 p.m.GHS West Fields
June 1Physicals (by appointment)4 – 5:45 p.m.Health office
June 9Physicals (by appointment)4 – 5:45 p.m.Health office
June 8Parents Meeting 6:30 – 7:15 p.m.New Cafeteria
June 15–24Regents/School Exams8 a.m. – 3 p.m.GHS
Jn. 30–Jul. 1Utica College Lineman CampOVERNIGHTUtica College
July 8-9SUNY Albany Air Assault Camp9 a.m. – 4 p.m.SUNY Albany
July 10SUNY Albany 7 on 7 Passing Tournament9 a.m. – 4 p.m.SUNY Albany
July 11–14SUNY Albany Dog Pound Linemen Camp6:30 – 9:00 p.m.SUNY Albany
July TBAFreshman Sports Community FundraiserTBAGame Field
July 16Cicero-North Syracuse Passing TournamentFULL DAYCNS, NY
July 16Lineman ChallengeFULL DAYCNS, NY
July 25–29Union College Football Camp (Varsity)6:30 – 9:30 p.m.UnionCollege
Aug. 1-5Union College Football Camp (Fr. and JV)6:30 – 9:30 p.m.UnionCollege
Aug. 15-27Preseason Camp (Freshman start Aug. 17)TBAPractice Fields
Aug. 29 Single-session practices beginTBAPractice Fields
Sept. 2Varsity Opening Game –@ Ballston Spa7:00 p.m. Ballston Spa H.S.
Sept. 3JV Opening Game – vs. Ballston Spa10:00 a.m.Game Field
TEAM BUILDERS: Throughout the spring and summer we’ll get together for team events such as dinners or pizza, flag football, bowling, and more. Event leaders will communicate when the next events come up through text messages, website posts and posters in the weight room.
ATHLETIC TESTING AND EQUIPMENT DISTRIBUTION: Players will test in running and lifting exercises this week. Black and Blue campers will receive their equipment after completing their tests.
PHYSICALS:In order to compete in August, all players MUST turn in the Parent Consent/Emergency information and Health History form. Everyone also needs a physical which is offered for free by our school.
PARENTS’ MEETING JUNE 8TH: We highly encourage all parents to attend this information meeting. We will explain our expectations for the summer, update signups for events where we need parental help (the chain gang, concession stand, etc.) and answer questions.
LINEMEN CHALLENGES: Linemenwho are interested in participating in a one-day test of strength and skill have two events this year in which they can compete. Contact Coach Schewe for signups.
PASSING TOURNAMENTS/7 ON 7’S: For offensive backs and receivers and defensive backs and linebackers, we compete against the best competition in the state in developing our passing attack. VARSITY PLAYERS should set aside these dates and contact Coach Childs about signups; interested JV and Freshmen should contact Coach Cahill (for Freshmen) or Coach Usher (JV).
FOOTBALL CAMP OPPORTUNITIES: Team camps, skills camps, one-day camps, three-day camps, full-contact, non-contact…there are an abundance of football camps available to develop your football skills. Listed are the local camps we attend. Varsity players should sign up through Coach Penna for Union camp. For all other camps, register directly through the college. Registration is available online or you can get a brochure from our weight room at GHS.
FUNDRAISING: Our fundraising efforts begin now as we prepare to fund 50% of the Freshman Team. Please plan on attending the FOGA community fundraiser in late July. Further details and date coming soon.
BOOSTER CLUB: The Guilderland Football Booster Club works hard behind the scenes to provide a positive team spirit, organization of team events and financial support to the Modified, Freshman, JV and Varsity teams. We ask each player’s family to donate $50 to help contribute to the events and resources that create the highest caliber experience for our players. See enclosed form.
FURTHER INFORMATION AND HELP: Coaches are available each day during school and in the weight room. Former booster club president Dom Paratore updates our team website ( weekly with announcements and events. Our program continues to grow;contact Booster Club President Emilio Genzano () to get involved. Final reminder: Our next informational meeting will be June 8th at 6:30 p.m. in the New Cafeteria at GHS. Please call or email the high school to contact any coaches, nurses, etc. with any questions or comments. I can be reached through email () or at 861-8591 x 5501.
Best of luck to our spring athletes competing in sectional and state play. We are eagerly anticipating the start of the 2011 season starting with athletic testing and Black and Blue Camp. Go Dutchmen!
Sincerely,
Daniel Penna
Head Coach
GuilderlandFootball