Middle School Warrior Football - July 10

We are just a few weeks away from the start of the football season. The first practice will be at 6pm on August 9. A full practice schedule can be found at www.cypresschristian.org/football/Practice.cfm.

Roster

You were emailed a middle school roster for next year. Please verify your son’s shirt and short size and let me know in the next 3 days if there are any changes that need to be made. I will be ordering clothing at the end of the week.

Middle School Football Camp

On Wednesday and Thursday we will have a middle school football camp from 9:30 to 11:30. The camp is non contact and will teach basic skills. The cost is $20 which includes a t-shirt. You can register on line at

www.cypresschristian.org/football/Middle-School-Warrior-Football-Camp-Registration.cfm.

Physicals

Your son must have a physical before we start practice August 9. You can get an athletic physical from Body Balance for $15 on July 14 or 28. See the website for more details. www.cypresschristian.org/news/Athletic-Physicals.cfm

Equipment

Each player is responsible for his own cleats (style does not matter but we prefer that they be a majority black) and must also purchase a 5 pocket girdle and 7 piece pad set. The girdle and pad set run about $35 together. You can get girdles with the pads built in but they will be more expensive. The girdle and pad set could easily last 3 years or longer.

Girdle

http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3594015&cp=3077571.3079736.2360713.2366532.2360752&parentPage=family

Pad Set

http://www.academy.com/index.php?page=content&target=products/sports/football/pads&start=0&selectedSKU=0449-00072-0071

All other required practice and game equipment is provided by the school.

Singular Purpose

While I always appreciate the media coverage we get, it is always interesting and not always what I intended it to be when I gave the interview. Here is a link to a recent article about the upcoming season. http://www.ultimatecyfair.com/2010/06/warriors-have-singular-objective-fall We do have a singular purpose but it has nothing to do with "win the state title," which was something I never said in the interview. Yes I do believe that we will have the best team Cypress Christian has ever had. It will certainly be the largest. I also believe that we have assembled a great coaching staff and will be more prepared for the season than we have ever been in the past. However, winning is simply a bi-product of true success and our "singular purpose" is based on Building Godly Men. We want to build men that will walk with Christ in both tough times and good times, wins and losses, and in playing or sitting on the bench. Our singular purpose is much greater than the score of a football game. After all if you have ever watched a football bounce you will know that anything is possible and many things are outside our control. We cannot always control our circumstances but we can always control how we react to those circumstances.

Warrior Football - July 4

I hope everyone is having a wonderful 4th of July and takes time to reflect on the blessing we have that we live in the US. We will have workouts on Monday through Friday this week. Out attendance has been dropping a little so please encourage your son. The summer is the time to learn commitment and hard work that will have great benefits at the end of the season.

7 on 7
We will not have 7 on 7 this Tuesday and I have decided to not enter the private school tournament next weekend. We will have two more 7 on 7 dates at CCS on July 13 and 20 from 5 to 6:30. We will be playing against ourselves and these are critical dates for your son to attend as we prepare for the fall.

Meet the Staff Night
We will have three new coaches on the varsity staff next year which will add about 50 years of coaching experience. I am planning a "Meet the Staff Night" for later in July. You can read a little about Coach Gentry and Coach Laidlaw on the football website at http://www.cypresschristian.org/football/Coaching-Staff.cfm. Both coaches have experience on both sides of the ball so we plan to maximize that experience. Coach Gentry will work with the defensive and offensive line, while Coach Laidlaw will work with the running backs and defensive backs/outside linebackers. A more formal announcement about all three new coaches will be made in a couple weeks.

Clothing Sizes
In the next two weeks I will be ordering our sport packs for the 2010 season. I will be sending out a roster prior to that with size information that I will need you to verify as soon as possible. Getting sizes for 100+ people is not easy so please let me know as soon as possible once that information is sent out.

Practice Starts August 2
We have less than one month to go. Practice starts August 2 and I am still working on the exact schedule but it will probably include a morning workout from 8 to 10 and an afternoon practice like we have done in the past from 3:30 to 7:00. We will practice in the morning on the first two Saturdays, August 7 and 14.

Senior Retreat
On Fridays I talk with our seniors about leadership following the morning workout. I am planning to have some form of a retreat with the seniors at the end of July to continue the conversation on leadership and set goals for the 2010 season. Senior parents please stay tuned for more details.

Warrior Football - June 28

It is already the last week of June. The official start of the football season is just 35 days away. We start practice on Monday, August 2. Our kickoff party will be held on Saturday night August 7. We will have more details as that event gets closer but it will probably be at the school because the football families can now easily number 300 people with almost 100 players in the program.

7 on 7
We will be going to Fort Bend for 7 on 7 tomorrow (Tuesday). We will be taking the bus and leaving from the school at 3:30. Fort Bend Baptist is feeding everyone after the game so will probably arrive home 30 minutes later but your son will not need dinner.

Texas Private School Coaches Association 7 on 7 Championship July 9-10
I am considering entering CCS in this 7 on 7 tournament. I am already aware of several players that will be out of town this weekend so if your son regularly attends 7 on 7 and will be out of town on July 9-10 please let me know tomorrow. I will try and get a head count tomorrow when we travel to Fort Bend. The registration fee for the tournament is $300 and due on June 30 so I would like to make sure we have numbers before I commit and pay the fee.

Our summer works continue to be well attended. This is what will separate us from other teams and I am excited about the work ethic and number of players (25 to 35) that I am seeing.

If you missed Coaching Your Students Passion it was an incredible night. There is a reason entire states ask Bruce Brown to speak to their parents, coaches and athletes. You can purchase the two booklets that were given out at the event for just $10. More details are available on the website at: http://www.cypresschristian.org/athletics/Coaching-Your-Students-Passion.cfm

Warrior Football - June 21

Coaching Your Student’s Passion – Featuring Bruce Brown
This Thursday Cypress Christian athletics will hold a fundraiser that you do not want to miss. If you like what you see in the football program then you will love this night as I use a tremendous amount of resources from Bruce Brown in our program. I know your son wants you to attend so please invite friends to come with you to hear Bruce Brown at Coaching Your Student's Passion. The price goes up at the door so register today. The website has more information including a promotional video and on-line registration www.CypressChristian.org/Athletics/Coaching-Your-Students-Passion.cfm.

Cypress Christian Football Camp
Your son will get great college coaching instruction and you will both have an opportunity to ask questions of college coaches and get a feel for college athletics. We need participants to be able to hold events like this so have your son bring a friend on Friday. The website has more information including a promotional video and on-line registration www.CypressChristian.org/Football/Warrior-Football-High-School-Camp.cfm.

7 on 7 - Fort Bend Baptist at 5 and 6:30
We need more people to go if we are going to benefit from playing in the league. We will be taking the bus and leaving at 3:30 from school tomorrow. Everyone but offensive and defensive linemen should attend. Your son should know if they need to go or not but feel free to call or email me as needed. Your son should wear his silver/gray football shirt from last year or a gray t-shirt along with shorts and cleats.

Football Booster Club
The first order of booster club clothing will be placed on Monday June 28. If you are signed up prior to June 28 you will be guaranteed to have your coaches shirt and replica jersey (Coaches level and above) for the first scrimmage of the season. The Warriors are going to look great this year so you do not want to miss out. You can join the football booster club online at www.CypressCchristian.org/Football/Football-Booster-Club.cfm. Your Football Booster Club Membership benefits more than just football as 10% of the money raised goes to the general athletic booster and another 10% goes to the schools benevolence fund.

Service Hours
The school needs a little dirt work so send a shovel with your son this week and they can knock out a few of the hours that I am asking them to give to the school after the morning or afternoon workouts.

Even with vacations and camps we continue to have 25 to 30 players working out on a regular basis. It is that work in the summer that pays off the most in November and December.

Warrior Football Summer Information

7 on 7 - Fort Bend Baptist at 5 and 6:30
We will be taking the bus and leaving at 3:30 tomorrow. Everyone but offensive and defensive linemen should attend. Your son should know if they need to go or not but feel free to call or email me as needed. For the rest of June any days that get rained out will be moved to Thursday of the same week. Your son should wear his silver/gray football shirt from last year or a gray t-shirt along with shorts and cleats.

Bruce Brown/Football Camp
In just under two weeks we will host these two great events. It is my desire to grow both of these events every year and to do that I need your help. I hope you invite friends to come with you to hear Bruce Brown at Coaching Your Student's Passion and encourage your son to bring a couple friends with him to the football camp. Current parents and students are the best marketers of the school so please sign up today and pass the information along to your friends.

Coaching Your Student's Passion video and on-line registration
www.cypresschristian.org/athletics/Coaching-Your-Students-Passion.cfm

Football Camp video and on-line registration
www.cypresschristian.org/football/Warrior-Football-High-School-Camp.cfm

Workouts
We have had an average of 30 players working out every day. These are great numbers but we could almost double them if everyone were to show up. While summer workouts are not required and I am in favor of the various camps and vacations many of our players take, our workouts will have your son in the best shape of his life and be ready for the start of the season. The workouts will help to keep your son from injury during the season and build team unity.

Shelly Patterson is working with several of our athletes on flexibility and core strength. She is also helping football players and me in the college recruiting process. If you are interested in either of these please contact her directly at 281-960-9617.

10 Hours of Service
I have asked every football player to donate 10 hours of labor to the school this summer. We will have several projects starting in the next couple of weeks where your son can earn those hours after the morning workouts doing various needed projects around the school. We have already moved books and furniture. A former coach of mine would always say, "Many hands make light the work!" so be looking for more details in the future.

All Stars
Brandon Galloway and Jacob Reed will be playing in the Texas Private School Coaches Association All Star game this Saturday night in Dallas. www.tpsca.org

It is always a great week to purchase season tickets (www.cypresschristian.org/football/Tickets1.cfm) and join the football booster club (www.cypresschristian.org/football/Football-Booster-Club.cfm). The first day of practice is August 2.

In other football news:
The Big 10 has 12 schools
The PAC 10 has 11 schools
The Big 12 has 10 schools
Why is it that people question the math scores in the USA? At least the Big 12 still exists and tradition and rivalry were saved.

John Wooden

I do not think their was ever a greater coach. He passed away yesterday at the age of 99. What he did on the court (88 game winning streak and 10 nation titles) is only over shadowed but what he did off the court for his player and God's Kingdom.

"Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming." - John Wooden

Here is an article that is worth a few minutes to read. Legendary John Wooden dead at 99

Hardwork

• 5 Pull Ups
• 10 Push Ups
• 15 Air Squats

All in one minute, every minute for 30 straight minutes. Yes our workouts are crazy hard but what was so exciting is seeing the leadership that got everyone through it as a team.

Summer Workouts

While it has only been three days. We have averaged over 30 players a day working out and I am sure they are working harder than ever before. I could be taking 20 kids to the Taste of Texas in August which would be a great opportunity to hit them up to be a football sponsor. November and December games are earned in June and July and I certainly like what I am seeing. A lot of things for the 2010 season are falling into place. We will travel to Fort Bend for 7 on 7 this coming Tuesday. For the full summer schedule click here.

Summer Schedule and Information

Welcome to the 2010 season of Warrior football. It should be an exciting one from every perspective. Our off season training will begin on Tuesday. Everyone will get credit for Memorial Day as I have heard a fair amount of excitement about making all 40 workouts and going to the Taste of Texas. For a complete summer schedule including attendance awards please see the website at www.CypressChristian.org/Football/Off-Season.cfm. One change is that Warrior Wednesday is going to move to Thursday and probably get a new name as a result. We will have 7 on 7 this Tuesday at CCS. Starting June 8 we will be traveling to Fort Bend and will probably need a few drivers.

I will continue to send regular emails but want to encourage you to subscribe to the RSS feed for both the football headlines and the Warrior Link on the new school website. Each sport has a Warrior Link so you will need to be on the football pages. To subscribe just click on the word subscribe above my picture on the Warrior Link and at the bottom of the headlines. When you subscribe to the RSS feed the information will come right into your email or onto your home page depending on how you set it up.

If you missed the parent meeting after the scrimmage or simply need the information again here is what was discussed.

Coaching Your Student’s Passion
I believe that this will be a tremendous event that will be a great encouragement to you as a parent. The speaker will be Bruce Brown and I use a great number of his resources in our football program. I hope you come and make it a point to invite friends and neighbors. You will be benefiting our schools athletic programs and I believe you will benefit greatly as a parent who has the tough job of raising a teenager in todays culture.
June 24 at 7:00 p.m. Cost: $20 ($35 per couple) (Admission includes two Bruce Brown booklets.)

High School Football Camp
June 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Cost: $35 This camp is coached by college coaches from programs that I know personally are like our program at CCS. It is both a basic skills camp for all positions and a recruiting opportunity for the colleges that come to the camp. So far Dordt College, Greenville College, and Taylor University are committed to coming.

Season Tickets
You can purchase or renew your season tickets through the website. A reserved stadium seat for every home football game at any level is just $100. 10% of the ticket revenue goes into the schools benevolence fund and another 10% goes into the general athletic booster account.

Football Booster Club
I personally join each year and this season there are new benefits including a replica game jersey and a reduced cost for the Coach's Club level. 10% of the money raised goes into the schools benevolence fund and another 10% goes into the general athletic booster account. Our budget covers about a third the cost of our program and the rest comes from ticket sales, booster club memberships, and sponsorships.

Football Sponsorships
There are a lot of sponsorship opportunities with football like Field Signs, Media Guide, PA announcements on Friday Nights and Website Opportunities. Your business or one you know of may be interested in this opportunity. This can also be done in conjunction with the schools larger Partners in Education program.

Old Uniforms can still be purchased for $10 each. The new uniforms should arrive in mid June and we will have an event to show them off and take pictures for the media guide.

School Service
I am asking each football player to donate 10 hours of their time to improve our campus over the summer. This will be done in small groups following the morning workouts or on some select workdays. This is a great opportunity to give back to the school as well as show some servant leadership. More details will be provided soon and we will probably start working the second week in June.

Please remember that the first day of practice is August 2 so please take all your vacations prior to that if at all possible.