Quote of Encouragement

Gentlemen,

 I received this quote in an email from a very close friend of mine and I think it's important for me to share it with you. I need you to truly think about what this quote means and how it speaks to you personally. I encourage all of you to print several copies of this quote and hang them in your room, locker, on the refrigerator, etc . . . as a reminder to why you fight the great fight every day.

Coach Heppner

Man in the Arena "It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."

Theodore Roosevelt, April 23, 1910

Final Week Reminders/Schedule

Parents and Players, As we wrap up what has been a very productive Troy Sports Camp week, I wanted to send you the schedule for our final week of preparation before we start camp on August 6th. All of the lifting and conditioning will be replaced by the testing on Monday through Wednesday. Please be sure that all players report on time to their designated testing time. In regard to Thursday's sign-up schedule, we will be collaborating all of the attendance, testing, and miscellaneous data to determine who our Men of Iron are for the 2012 football season. All players who have earned the Men of Iron title will be informed at testing on Wednesday as to whether they are to report to the early sign-in time. August 2nd Reminders: (Momma Rock, Martha, and Paul . . . it's a long message, so get ready to read!) For this Thursday's sign-up, please make sure that your son brings his physical form so we can keep the appropriate records. If your son has yet to get a physical, then it must be turned in to me no later than 12:30 pm on Monday, August 6th. Any player that does not have a physical form turned in will not be able to participate until that exam has been completed. It is also important that each player bring a combination lock to the sign-up as well. I want to make sure that each player secures a locker for the season. That being said, it is important that any items they bring to their scheduled sign-in time be locked up in a locker before they leave. We will be passing out playbooks at this time as well. The players do not need anything fancy for their playbook, but a simple three-ring binder with pockets will do. Please be sure to remind your son that they will also need to have a writing utensil with them to all meetings throughout the season. During the sign-up on August 2nd, we will be measuring heights and weights, along with collecting the appropriate contact information. We will also be fitting any player new to the program that has not received a helmet yet. Each player will be receiving two football shirts, a mouthpiece, and pair of shorts for the 2012 football season. I am in the process of purchasing game socks for all the players. If they do not arrive by August 2nd, I will make sure each player has a pair before our first contest. Just a little more clarification regarding Thursday's sign-up. We will be waiting until the following Thursday - 1st day of pads - to officially hand out the rest of the player's equipment. One of the reason's being is that in the past we've had players show up on the Thursday before 2-A-Days, get all of their equipment, and then disappear. Changing the image of Troy Athens football is an on-going task. We have been blessed to have set the tone of a very competitive football program throughout the state, but wearing the equipment you will use to build a brotherhood of trust and respect needs to be earned. One of the many lessons we are trying to teach these young men is that you will have to work hard to earn certain privileges in your life. Therefore, we will challenge them physically, but most importantly mentally for the 1st three days of camp in order for them to feel that they have earned the opportunity to wear their Troy Athens Football equipment. My goal is to create a sense of pride in these young men that each and every time they put on those pads, they - along with their Red Hawk brothers - realize that each one of them has made the appropriate sacrifices for each other to wear that equipment. We will bring each one of the participants in one-by-one during their scheduled time the morning of Thursday, August 9th, to go over their goals and hand out the rest of their equipment. It is important that they check all the straps and buckles on their pads to ensure everything is ready to go when practice starts that afternoon. The times for the final equipment distribution and goal review will be the same as this Thursday, August 2nd sign-in times. Thanks again for your time and patience. I can’t wait for the season to begin. See you at the BBQ on Friday. Coach Heppner Go Red Hawks!!!

Pride Camp and Football Cleat Reminder

Parents and Players, This is a reminder that Pride Camp will quickly be upon us and we still have several players who have not pre-registered. If you were unable to pre-register, please make sure that you and your son report for helmet and shirt distribution at the designated 7:20 to 8:00 scheduled time period. To all others, we will be distributing helmets in the main gym again this year to all participants. Your son will need to wear their helmet and Pride Camp shirt to each of the 3 practices. Mouthpieces are also required. I will double check our storage this week and see if we are able to provide the mouthpieces for free. Football Cleat Reminder: Once again, I am asking that all football cleats purchased for the 2012 football season be white (base) with red(accents). It's fine if you have an old pair that is black for summer workouts, but by the time the season rolls around I would like all of my players looking as unified as possible. Our blog has some helpful information from last year that will help you search for the appropriate football cleat. Please contact Stephanie Turek if you would like to register before June 18th. Coach Heppner Go Red Hawks!!!

End of the Year Schedule

“Forget yourself for others, so others will never forget you.” Schedule: Monday, May 21st: • 6:00 am ~ Weight Training • 8:00 pm – “10 for the Title” Speed and Agility Workout Tuesday, May 22nd: • 6:00 am ~ Weight Training • 8:00 pm – “10 for the Title” Speed and Agility Workout Wednesday, May 23rd: • 6:00 am ~ Weight Training • 8:00 pm – “10 for the Title” Speed and Agility Workout Thursday, May 24th: • 6:00 am ~ Weight Training • 8:00 pm – “10 for the Title” Speed and Agility Workout ~All workouts are intended for ALL players – both in-sport and out. Attendance points will double this week. In-coming Freshman are highly encourage to attend as well. It’s time for all of us to set the tone that the rest of the teams in the OAA need to follow. Ask yourself . . . “If the team was working as hard as me, how good would we be?” Competition, Heart, Attitude, Motivation, Performance, Sacrifice

End of the Year Schedule (Cont.)

2nd Phase Testing /Lift-A-Thon Schedule - Tuesday, May 29thth – Saturday, June 2nd 6:00 a.m. Testing = In-Sport Athletes 2:15 p.m. Testing = Non-spring Sport Athletes Tuesday, May 29th: o Bench o Vertical o Squat Wednesday, May 30th: o 40 Yard Sprint o Long Jump o Power Clean Thursday, May 31st: o L-Drill o Dead Lift o Pro Agility Friday, June 1st: • 6:00 am o Make-up testing (All-Participants) • 2:15 pm o Weigh-In (Locker Room) o Gym Set-up (All Players) Saturday, June 2nd: • 12:00 pm o All Players Report • 12:30 o Parent/Player Summer Schedule Meeting • 1:00 pm o Show Time! Make sure all of your Lift-A-Thon money is turned in by the end of school Friday, June 1st. I will obviously accept Lift-A-Thon sponsorships turned in at the event, but they must be turned in to me at the high school by 11:00 am on June 2nd. This will help me in regard to record keeping.

Parent Meeting

Parents and Players,

There will be an informative meeting Tuesday, February 7th for all in-coming freshman players and parents at 6:00 p.m. in the high school cafeteria. We will be introducing the coaching staff,regular off-season routines/expectations; along with a tour of the facilities and weight training demonstration. The freshamn meeting will be followed by an informative football meeting at 7:30 for all program members to discuss our fundraising program and off-season expectations.

See you soon,

Coach Heppner
Go Red Hawks!!!