To the 2016 Ringgold Middle Football Players and Parents:

It is almost time to start our preparation for the 2016 Football Season. Our coaching staff is looking forward to seeing old and new faces at the beginning of the summer. We will be getting everyone geared up for a great football season starting with our summer strength training program that will start in June and finish the end of July, leading straight into our official practice starting July 25th. In this packet I will try to answer as many questions as possible and give the basic information for our program. We will have a Mandatory parent meeting once our official Season is about to get started to make sure our program is going in the right direction. If you do have any question or concerns about summer workouts please feel free to contact Coach Blankenship @ .

Summer Workouts. Our summer workouts will beTuesday, Wednesdays (July) and Thursday from 9:00-11:00 A.M. (See Calendar) at the Ringgold Middle School GYM. Drop off and pick up will be in the front of the gym. I’ve attached a calendar for all workouts. All players who attend 12 of the 14 workouts will be eligible for an RMS football prize.Players can be dropped off around 8:45 A.M.at the Ringgold Middle GYM and players should be picked up at 11:00 A.M. Players should wear a T-shirt, athletic shorts, and tennis shoes. Players should also bring a pair of cleats if they have them as we will be doing agility work and football-related drills in the grass area throughout the summer. Players can bring water and/or Powerade but will have access to a water fountain at any time during workouts.I would encourage all players to eat breakfast before workouts but limit drinking milk.

Lift-A-Thon. I have also attached a Lift-A-Thon form in the player packet. Our Lift-A-Thon is a fundraiser that allows RMS Football to function and cover some of those needed expenses that come along with running a successful football program. Our RMS Quarterback Club Membership Drive will be held in early August and that is when we ask those parents willing to contribute money to the program to help out. We are hoping that our players and parents can ask extended family members and businesses in the surrounding areas to contribute to our Lift-A-Thon fundraiser. We ask that each player raise a minimum of $100 and players will be rewarded for the amount of money they raise. Players will be rewarded for raising money with RMS football attire. All checks can be made out to RMS QB Club.

RMS Athletic Form. All players will need to turn in a completed athletic form along with a copy of the player’s insurance card to Coach Blankenship before July 14th in order to continue summer workouts. All sports physicals are good for one calendar year. If a player does not have this available by July 25th they will NOT be allowed to participate for the 2106 season.

July/August Practice. Starting on Monday, July25th, we will officially start football practice. PLEASE try to schedule summer vacations during June and early July. All players who plan on playing football are expected to be at all practices starting on July 25th. If transportation looks to be an issue, please contact me and we will do what we can to make sure your son gets to practice and workouts this summer.

Sixth Grade Tryouts- Depending on numbers, we may conduct tryouts for all 6thgrade football players. All 6th graders are strongly encouraged to attend workouts this summer if they are planning on trying out in August. Those 6thgraders who attend workouts regularly this summer will have an advantage of being evaluated by the coaches and instructed on specific things to work on leading up to August practices. All 6th grade football players must have the RMS athletic form and a copy of their insurance card to Coach Blankenship before being allowed to tryout. Six graders who do not make the RMS football team are strongly encouraged to play recreational football. All 6th graders that qualify for 12 workouts and/or raise money for the Lift-A-Thon, regardless if they make the team or not, will be rewarded accordingly. There is NO CHARGE to tryout or to play football for Ringgold Middle school.

Please contact me if any questions or concerns. My cell phone number is 423-593-1202. My email address is . Thank you for all that you do for our community, school, and football program.

Sincerely,

Barret Blankenship

Ringgold Middle School

Head Football Coach

423-593-1202