DEFA Rising Freshmen Meeting Minutes

From May 6th 2015

Mike Mastrog, Downingtown East Football Association (DEFA) Co-President

  • Welcome/Introduction of Coaching Staff
  • DEFA Purpose- DEFA is a Non-profit volunteer organization, dedicated to supporting the Downingtown East High School Football Team. DEFA Booster Club raises money to subsidize funding for the team while assisting coaching staff with organizing team events. The best way to get information about the program is to attend the monthly Booster club meetings held at 7pm on the first Monday of each month in the library at DEHS.
  • Refer to the Website for all important information
  • Introduction of DEFA officers

Mike and Anita Mastrog – Co-Presidents

Betsy & Chris Hudson – Co-Vice Presidents

Pam & Jack Carpenter- Co- Treasures

Telisha Feamster – Secretary

  • Parent Participation/Volunteer responsibilities

Freshman parents are responsible for selling programs and 50/50’s during home games. Telisha will send out a sign up through signupgenious.com when the schedule is distributed. Your participation is appreciated.

  • Fundraisers – freshmen will sell Gold Cards. The Gold Card blitz will be August 15th – we will need freshman parents to drive. More information will be announced at the June Booster Club meeting.

June 12th- The Annual Golf Outing raises most of our funds for the season. Please spread the word! We need at least 50 Golfers. Dinner only guest and Golfers should register on the website ASAP. The Golf rate 150 pp (600 for a foursome) and Dinner fee 50pp.

Coach Michael Matta – Head Coach

  • Introductions
  • What it means to be a Student Athlete-Commitment to academics and teammates
  • Expectations & requirements
  • Absolutely No Hazing allowed or tolerated
  • No slacking, hard work pays off. The stronger you get the better you will be
  • No individual recognition other that honor roll
  • Players are expected to attend practice/ lifting and have good work ethic.
  • Concussion testing- freshmen will have an impact test. The team received new helmets which a 5 star rated for safety.
  • The Big Myth- “Coach Matta does not allow players to play multiple sports” False in FACT - 37% of players play another sport. There are several players that playmultiple sports: Caleb Fell- senior, Matt Boorman-rising senior (plays 3 sports), Brody Wilson, rising senior
  • Blue and Gold Camp – June 15th –June 19th 2015 freshmen players are encouraged to attend.

Academics - Many of the coaches are educators and place a high priority on achieving and maintaining good grades. There is a homework club that meets on Tuesday and Thursday 3:15-4:15 for players who require extra assistance. Coach Matta will send players, if needed. Players will be excused from a portion of practice during homework club.

Coach Darren Wasser- strengthening Coach

Goals

  • Improve Mobility
  • Build Core strength
  • Build work ethic
  • teach good nutritional habits – important to staying healthy while lifting

Speed training is not necessary, It’s pure physics. The stronger your player gets the faster they will be.

Coach Ron Lister – Freshman Coach

Goals of the 9th grade program

  1. To help players transition smoothly to high school
  2. Teach football
  3. Get every player in each game

Coaches do not emphasize rewards or punishments. Everyday is a day to get better. Everything done is football specific.

Practice is after school and is usually over by 5:20- players can be picked up around 5:35.

2015Important Dates:

  • June 1-5thMini Camp Tues & Thurs 3:30p-5:30p
  • June 3rdPhysicals $20 – nurses office
  • June 8-12thWorkout Tues & Thurs 7a-10a
  • June 12thGolf Outing @ Broad Run Golf Club
  • June 15th -19thBlue and Gold Camp
  • June 22-25 Work out Tues & Thurs 7a-10a
  • June 29th-July 3Work out Tues & Thurs 7a-10a
  • July 6-9thWork out Tues & Thurs 7a-10a
  • July 13-16thTesting Tues & Thurs 9a-10:30a
  • July 19 –Aug 3rdOFF
  • Aug 10th -14thMandatory Heat Acclimation
  • Aug 15thGold Card Blitz
  • Aug 3-6thPre-Season workout M,T,W,Th 7a-10a
  • Aug 10-14thHeat Acclimation Camp Tues &Thurs 4:30-7:30pm
  • Aug 21stPractice 7:30-11am, Chic Filet 11:15, Picture Day 1pm
  • Aug 22ndVarsity Scrimmage @ Garnett Valley
  • Aug 22ndFamily Picnic immediately following scrimmage
  • Aug 24th – 26thPractice 3p-5:50
  • Aug 27thVarsity Scrimmage home vs Neshaminy
  • Aug 28th Parent Social @ PJ Whelihans 7pm
  • Aug 31stFirst Day of School
  • Sept 4thFirst game