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!!!