Spring 2019
SPRING 2019
44 Kids Meet NFL Stars 4 Letter from Jon Butler 2019 Panini Skills Clinic 6 Cheerleader with Down Syndrom 48 Q &A: Tommy Bohanon Flies High Jacksonville Jaguars 10 Catching Up with a Cheer Coach 50 Q&A: Shayla Wilmington’s Deb Smith
12 Teammates to Rivals An Army-Navy Story
Miami Dolphins Cheerleader
54 CrashCourse
Concussion Education Nationwide
14 NFL Teams Celebrate Pop Warner 58 USA Football Names Pop 22 The 62nd Annual Pop Warner Warner Leaders to Football Super Bowl
30 2019 National Cheer and Dance Championships
36 Behind the Scenes
The Making of Pop Warner’s Super Bowl and National Cheer and Dance Championships
40 College Football Award Recipient: Kentucky’s C.J. Conrad
42 Pop Warner Inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame Class of 2018
Development Model Council
60 Renewed Partnership Pop Warner and Riddell
62 Eliminate Three-Point Stance 64 Youth Sports— What Had Changed
66 Teaming Up in the Fight Against Breast Cancer
68 Something to Cheer About
POP WARNER LITTLE SCHOLARS, INC. 586 Middletown Blvd., Suite C-100 Langhorne, PA 19047 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Jon Butler NATIONAL FOOTBALL COMMISSIONER: Sam Mutz NATIONAL CHEER & DANCE COMMISSIONER: Lisa Moroski NATIONAL EVENTS MANAGER: Beth Dietz NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF SCHOLASTICS: Nick Koshofer NATIONAL RECRUITMENT & GRANT COORDINATOR: Kevin Allen NATIONAL BUSINESS PARTNER COORDINATOR: Phyllis Farruggio EDITORIAL CONTENT: CTP DESIGN/LAYOUT: Ignite2X POP WARNER PHOTOS: Gerardo Mora
For Pop Warner info, visit:
PopWarner.com © 2019 Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Printed in the USA. All rights reserved.
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LETTER FROM JON BUTLER
WHY CHANGE? I want to answer a question we get occasionally.
Why are you changing the game? It came up again when we recently announced the decision to eliminate the three-point stance for our three youngest age groups this coming season. First, some context. Whether you’re a parent, player, coach, volunteer or administrator, we all share something: a deep love for this sport. So many of us have had great experiences playing the game and have been shaped by it. But we all share something else: an abiding responsibility to the kids who play it. I know many of you feel that same responsibility. That means making the sport safer while maintaining what makes it so great. With that backdrop, the Pop Warner medical advisory committee keeps us informed of the latest research. This panel of nationally respected neurosurgeons, neurologists, sports medicine practitioners and researchers meets with us to review the latest research and discuss ways to continually make Pop Warner football a positive experience for young people. That will always be our mission. Guided by science and analysis of our own medical team, and shared with the regional directors before enacting.
improved player field of vision. So we set out to explore ways to reduce both the magnitude and likelihood of head contact for linemen. We understand that no study is infallible and there are often conflicting conclusions. We take that into account. A number of states have introduced legislation to outlaw tackle football for children. When we visit legislators in those states to share the work we’re doing collectively to make the game safer it is often a surprise to them. Because we are guided by what’s in the best interest of our young players, our player safety improvements long preceded politicians getting involved. If we were not acting responsibly toward our participants they would be considerably more emboldened to kill the sport. Some inside the sport wish we would not “tinker” with it. That is not an option. Regardless of the lack of consensus around causes and risks of head injuries, we will strive to recommend approaches that can lessen the opportunity for such injury. The remedies may not always be popular but we look forward to working with so many across Pop Warner – and beyond – who are inspired to do what’s right for our young athletes and for the sport they love.
That’s how we looked at previous decisions like eliminating the kickoff for our four youngest divisions, reducing contact time in practice and improving coaching education. It’s also why we looked at the three-point stance. By eliminating it for our three youngest divisions we took the first step in making a move many in football, including the NFL, have long considered. While there are some who point to the lesser force of linemen contact we also took a look at the potential frequency of head contact, and the data suggests that the linemen have the most contact. According to researchers at Brown University and Dartmouth College, defensive linemen, offensive linemen and linebackers have the lowest head impact magnitudes of all positions in football but they also had more head impacts. A study in the journal Pediatrics suggested that players “who start in a 3- or 4-point stance, rather than a 2-point stance, generate greater trunk and head velocity before collision with the opposing players and may limit an athlete’s field of view, making it difficult to anticipate and prepare for a collision.” An earlier study in the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine concluded the two-point stance was likely safer because reduced “kinetic energy in case of collision” and
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Jon Butler
Executive Director Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc.
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“we walked in, and within a day, all the girls were embracing Audrey, and they all wanted to be her friend.”
Like many of her classmates, Audrey Chisholm wanted to be a competitive cheerleader. But because the Illinois teen has Down Syndrome, she was told she could join the team but couldn’t participate in the state competitions. So, after searching for a more inclusive team, her parents connected with coach Christine O’Donnell of Mokena Burros Pop Warner. “You’d think that everyone would be raising an eyebrow: ‘Is she going to help us win a second state championship, or is she going to pull us down?’” Audrey’s continued on page 8 6 / INSIDE Pop Warner
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mother, Jody Chisholm, told the Chicago Tribune. “But I’ll tell you, we walked in, and within a day, all the girls were embracing Audrey, and they all wanted to be her friend. These girls mean so much to me, and they mean so much to Audrey.”
December, the girl who was told she couldn’t compete was on the sport’s biggest stage competing for a National Championship at Disney World.
going to know what it’s like to have a friend with a disability and to be protective of them. Through these 23 girls, the world will be a better place.”
When it was all over, Audrey and her teammates were national champs.
Since joining the Burros, Audrey has become an integral part of the team as a flier in the stunt group. And in
“These 23 girls are going to be the leaders of tomorrow,” Chisholm said of Audrey’s teammates. “And they’re
Audrey’s story is incredibly inspiring and one that was recognized by media outlets across the country -- from the Chicago Tribune to POPSUGAR and even NBC’s today.com!
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COACH’S CORNER
Q&A
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Tell us about your involvement with Pop Warner.
My Pop Warner family and this team of athletes have no idea how much they have helped me. They’re all amazing and I don’t think I would be here without them.
DEB: I’ve been involved with Pop Warner for about 23 years. I started coaching back in 1995 when my oldest daughter wanted to cheer for the Medford Colts. A few years later, in 1998, I transitioned to the Wilmington Wildcats where I was a coach and also the President of the association. I’ve been with the Wildcats ever since and we’ve brought home a total of 10 National Championship titles!
What was your favorite moment from last season?
We understand you were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016. Can you talk about why you continued coaching your team?
What is the most rewarding part of being a cheer coach?
DEB: After getting diagnosed I wanted to continue coaching my team because I had coached this group of girls from their Junior Pee Wee days all the way up to Midget and I wanted to see them through the end of their Pop Warner careers. I also wanted to let them know that even though life is difficult at times, they should never give up!
DEB: It’s so hard to choose -- the entire season was amazing! If I had to pick, I would say seeing the looks on the kids’ faces when they placed 2nd at Nationals. They were absolutely beaming!
DEB: The most rewarding part is watching these young girls develop the understanding of teamwork and watching them grow into kind, compassionate young athletes.
What do you think your team members like the most about cheering for Pop Warner? DEB: My team would probably say getting better every week!
DEB SMITH Head Coach of the Wilmington Wildcats
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From Pop Warner
TEAMMATES TO Q&A RHATTIGAN MITCHELL WEST JON ARMY WEST POINT • LINEBACKER NAVAL ACADEMY • DEFENSIVE BACK
When they were playing Pop Warner together on the Naperville Chargers as young kids, Mitch West and Jon Rhattigan never imagined that one day they’d be competing for the Commander-in-Chief Trophy in one of the nation’s most important and historic college football rivalries. Beyond being college rivals and good friends, though, the two share something bigger – the honor of playing for Service academies: Mitch at the U.S. Naval Academy and Jon at the U.S. Military Academy.
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RIVALS in America’s Game
Mitchell West
Jon Rhattigan
How long were the two of you Pop Warner teammates?
Did the two of you talk about the military when you were younger?
JON: I played for the Naperville Chargers Pop Warner team for three years from 5th -7th grade. Mitch and I were teammates for two years in 6th and 7th grade. We also played lacrosse together in the spring so we were year-round teammates for about two years.
MITCH: No, we didn’t. My decision came down to a combination of things - football tradition, academic opportunities, and of course, serving my country.
Have you stayed in touch over the years? JON: Yeah we’ve definitely stayed in touch. We’re from the same town. He went to a private school but we remained friends all throughout high school. MITCH: Yes, we have been good friends since playing youth football together.
What was it like playing against each other at the collegiate level (especially as part of such an iconic rivalry)? MITCH: It was really cool. Our football careers have come full circle. It was truly special. JON: Mitch had actually committed to another university but things didn’t end up working out so he reached out to me because he was getting a lot of interest from the Naval Academy and he knew I had been accepted to West Point. We talked about it and he ultimately decided on the Naval Academy.
JON: I used to talk to my brother and some family about potentially joining the military but Mitch and I never really talked about it at that age. We talked about college football and were huge fans, but we never talked about the military or possibly getting the chance to play in the greatest rivalry in college football history. I think our paths came about naturally because football is a great route to attend such a prestigious academy with great tradition in both football programs.
How did Pop Warner prepare you to play for a D1 program? MITCH: The fundamentals of my football career were definitely built when I played Pop Warner. JON: I think Pop Warner is a great organization and it was an amazing learning experience. I learned all the fundamentals and it prepared me to play in high school. I also had fantastic coaches and all the events were great. Mitch and I actually got to go to Orlando for the Pop Warner Super Bowl when we were in the 7th grade. And even though the Chargers didn’t bring home a National Championship title that year, it was an experience neither of us will ever forget.
It’s a privilege for us to play for such incredible institutions and to be part of such an iconic rivalry. It was really a dream come true. We were warming up and I got to see Mitch on the other side of the field, which was really cool. It’s something we both dreamed about and there’s no greater feeling -- but we both have a long way to go in our careers. INSIDE Pop Warner / 13
#56 Chris Long and #9 Nick Foles of the Philadelphia Eagles
QB Nick Foles back in his Pop Warner days playing for the West Austin Corsairs 14 / INSIDE Pop Warner
It might seem hard to believe, but last year Pop Warner entered its 90th season playing youth football. That means millions of young people have had the opportunity to play, learn and grow from the sport for nearly a century. And even amid the sport’s evolution during that time, Pop Warner’s mission has always remained the same: to shape well-rounded student athletes who excel on the field and in the classroom. “Pop Warner has had a significant impact on youth football by emphasizing both academics and athletics,” said ACC Commissioner John Swofford. “Celebrating 90 years is an incredible milestone, and we congratulate this organization for its continued good work over the past nine decades.” To mark the milestone, Pop Warner partnered with NFL franchises across the
country to honor youth football by hosting Pop Warner scrimmages during halftime, sharing a video tribute in stadium, conducting pre-game recognitions and celebrating Pop Warner on social media. “Pop Warner football has been a staple for millions of young people from our nation’s inner-city neighborhoods, suburban towns and rural communities for 90 years,” said Jon Butler, Pop Warner Little Scholars’ executive director. “Thanks to the commitment of thousands of volunteers, young people have not only developed athletic skills and competed in a great sport, but also learned important life lessons, which is what we’re most proud of. We look forward to continuing our mission of enabling young people to benefit from participating in team sports and activities in a structured environment for many years to come.”
“Like the game itself, Pop Warner embodies a spirit of innovation,” USA Football CEO Scott Hallenbeck said. “Its forward thinking encompasses USA Football coach certification, smarter practice guidelines and embracing our American Development Model for greater physical literacy and skill development. We’re inspired to stand with Pop Warner’s leadership and will continue to serve the players and families of Pop Warner programs for another 90 years.” “Pop Warner has demonstrated a genuine passion for helping young people grow through the game of football,” said National Council of Youth Sports Executive Director Wayne B. Moss. “The organization has been in the forefront of providing best practices and policies that help lead to the success of young athletes both on and off the playing field.”
#87 Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs
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See how we can help protect your life’s many sides. Visit nationwide.com/PopWarner or call 1-855-550-9215 for more information TM
*Savings compared to stand-alone price of each policy, based on national sample customer data from 2017. Discount amounts do not apply to all coverage or premium elements; actual savings will vary based on policy coverage selections and rating factors. Nationwide has made a financial contribution to this organization in return for the opportunity to market products and services to its members. Products are underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates, Columbus, Ohio. Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle and Nationwide is on your side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2018 Nationwide AFO-1106AO (10/18)
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#11 Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals
#92 Brandon Mebane and #53 Mike Pouncey of the Los Angeles Chargers
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A LOOK BACK: The 62nd Annual Pop Warner Super Bowl
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Pop Warner football teams from across the country traveled once again to Walt Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex™ this December for the annual Pop Warner Super Bowl.
In addition to a number of D3 and MiteyMite teams from throughout the US and international teams all participating in exhibitions, the week-long championship event was made up of 64 teams that won both their League and Regional Championships. Teams competed in
Division I and Division 2 across five different age/weight ranges (Jr. Pee Wee, Pee Wee, Jr. Varsity, Varsity & Unlimited) and were guaranteed to play at least two games. A National Champion was crowned in each age-weight division and competition level. INSIDE Pop Warner / 23
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2018 Pop Warner Super Bowl National Champions: Division 1 Pee Wee: Westside Wildcats (FL) Westside Wildcats 19, Far West Jets 18
Division 2 Junior Varsity: Palm Beach Gardens Gators (FL) Palm Beach Gardens Gators 36, Lenape Valley Indians 8
Division 1 Junior Pee Wee: Virginia Beach Mustangs (VA) Virginia Beach Mustangs 25, St. Phillips Saints 0
Division 2 Pee Wee: Brick City Lions (NJ) Brick City Lions 26, Rancho Cucamonga Cougars 8
Division I Junior Varsity: Palmetto Raiders (FL) Palmetto Raiders 28, Hoffan Estates Redhawks 0
Division 2 Junior Pee Wee: Royal Palm Beach Wildcats (FL) Royal Palm Beach Wildcats 34, Far West Tigers 0
Unlimited Division: Brick City Lions (NJ) Brick City Lions 32, Garden Grove Bulldogs 12
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The Pop Warner organization and the lovable Mickey Mouse both celebrated 90 years in 2018
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2019 National Cheer and Dance Championships
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Alongside Pop Warner’s 64 football teams, more than 500 cheer and dance teams traveled to Florida to compete in the National Cheer & Dance Championships inside the HP Field House at Walt Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex™. With thousands of teams competing for a spot at Nationals, competition was at an all-time high and only the top two teams from each region qualified. Once they secured their spot at Disney, squads competed in: • Four age ranges: Jr. Pee Wee, Pee Wee, Jr. Varsity & Varsity • Th ree group sizes: Small, Medium & Large •E ight YCADA Divisions: PW 1, PW 2, PW 3, PW4, Sideline Performance Cheer, Pom Performance, Hip Hop and Theme Dance To kickoff the five-day event, participants from the Pop Warner’s Mitey-Mite and Tiny-Mite Divisions performed exhibition routines.
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Congratulations to all who participated and a special shout out to the 2018 National Champions: PW 1
PW 4
JUNIOR PEE WEE • South Pasco Predators (Large) • Howell Lions (Medium) • Mount Hope Cowboys (Small)
JUNIOR PEE WEE • Roger Bacon Academy Silver Flame Vikings (Medium)
PEE WEE • Plainfield Lady Cardinals (Large) • Woodbridge North Broncos (Medium) • Jacksonville Beach Jaguars (Small) JUNIOR VARSITY • New Britain Raiders (Large) • South Valley Grizzlies (Medium) • Kuyahoora Cougars (Small) VARSITY • Braintree Wamps (Medium) • Kensington Ravens (Small)
PW 2 JUNIOR PEE WEE • Riverside Bulldogs (Large) • Taunton Tigers (Medium) • Pinelands Devils (Small) • Dexter Lions (Large) • Hazlet Starz (Medium) • East Brunswick Spotswood Golden Bear Chargers (Small) JUNIOR VARSITY • Temecula Valley Golden Bears (Large) • Coastal Cowboys Renegades (Medium) • Hoffman Estates Redhawks (Small) VARSITY • Reading Rockets (Large) • Plainfield Lady Cardinals (Medium) • Delran Bears (Small) VARSITY COED • Northern Community Knights (Medium)
PW 3 JUNIOR PEE WEE • Monroe Wolverines (Large) • Four Points Vipers (Meidum) • La Costa Canyon Lady Mavericks (Small) PEE WEE • North Rockland Red Raiders (Large) • North Pinellas Panthers (Medium) • Munster Colts (Small) JUNIOR VARSITY • Wolcott Eagles (Large) • Dracut Middies (Meidum) • Malden Cyclones (Small) VARSITY • Taunton Tigers (Large) • North Pinellas Panthers (Medium) • West Elmwood Intruders (Small)
JUNIOR VARSITY • Mokena Burros (Large) • Junior Varsity -- Toms River Angels (Small) JUNIOR VARSITY COED • New Britain Raiders (Large) • New Britain Raiders (Medium) VARSITY • Roger Bacon Academy Vikings Purple Reign (Large) • North Rockland Red Raiders (Small)
SIDELINE PERFORMANCE CHEER JUNIOR PEE WEE • Milford Eagles (PW1 Sideline Performance Large) • RBA Silver Flame Vikings (PW1 Sideline Performance Medium) • Mt Hope Cowboys (PW1 Sideline Performance Small) PEE WEE • Hagerty Huskies (PW1 Sideline Performance Large) • Lake Mary Rams (PW1 Sideline Performance Medium) • Naperville Chargers (PW1 Sideline Performance Small) JUNIOR VARSITY • Lenape Valley Indians (PW1 Sideline Performance Large) • Montgomery Wildcats (PW1 Sideline Performance Medium) • East Orange Jr Jaguars (PW1 Sideline Performance Small) VARSITY • Hagerty Huskies (PW1 Sideline Performance Large) • Fishhawk Wolfpack (PW1 Sideline Performance Medium) • Alex Bay Stallions (PW1 Sideline Performance Small) VARSITY COED • Northern Community Knights (PW1 Sideline Performance Medium)
POM JUNIOR PEE WEE — Monmouth Falcons PEE WEE — Monmouth Falcons JUNIOR VARSITY — Monmouth Falcons VARSITY — South Coast Tritons
HIP HOP JUNIOR PEE WEE — Rochester Rams PEE WEE — Rochester Rams JUNIOR VARSITY — Rochester Rams VARSITY — Palmetto Raiders
THEME DANCE JUNIOR PEE WEE — Grand Park Rams PEE WEE — Cleveland Rams JUNIOR VARSITY — Grand Park Vikings VARSITY — Richmond Perrine Giants
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BEHIND BE HIND THE SC E NE S The Making of Pop Warner’s Super Bowl and National Cheer and Dance Championships The Pop Warner Super Bowl and National Cheer and Dance Championships is among the largest youth sports tournaments in the world. There are nearly 100 football teams and over 500 cheer and dance squads. Making sure
things run smoothly requires lots of committed people – mostly volunteers – doing a whole bunch of work. So we decided to bring you behind the scenes to meet just a few of the people who help create such a wonderful week.
ARMYE WITHERSPOON Volunteer How did you get involved with Pop Warner? I’ve been involved with youth sports for over 26 years because of my son. He’s always been really active and started out playing basketball, karate and Pop Warner football. Now his son (my grandson) plays Pop Warner football, too. What is your role during the Super Bowl? Over the years I’ve played many different roles within the Pop Warner organization. I started as a team parent and then moved on to coach, commissioner and member of the conference board. Now, I volunteer throughout the year, not just during the Super Bowl or even the season. And I just do whatever needs to be done. My group of volunteers from Mid-Florida covers all the fields in a variety of roles—announcing is just one of those roles. As a volunteer, you don’t pick the job, you do the job. What is your favorite part of this week? Definitely seeing the smiles on all the kids’ faces.
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JOHN PHELAN Show Director for Disney Parks Live Entertainment How did you get involved with Pop Warner? I’m a show director for Disney Parks Live Entertainment so I’m brought in to help Pop Warner plan out all the entertainment that’s put into the Super Bowl and National Cheer and Dance Championships. I’ve been with Disney for 35 years and have been involved with these Pop Warner events for about eight or nine. What is your role during the Super Bowl and National Cheer and Dance Championships? We start meeting with Pop Warner in March when they come down to Florida for on-site visits. They meet with my team and I to figure out everything from set design and music to the lighting. We stay in close touch throughout the year to make sure everything is all set for when they come down for the events. What is your favorite part of this week? I’m a big football guy, but I have to say that my favorite part of the week is seeing the enthusiasm from the cheer and dance competitors. They love the Parade of Champions and get really excited during that portion of the event. It’s a really nice tribute to all that Pop Warner does to create such a special week.
JENNIFER CLOUTIER Head Rules Judge How did you get involved with Pop Warner? I was a cheerleader in high school and college, and then began coaching after I graduated. While I was coaching, I also started judging some local events. I became quite busy judging and as an official, and that’s when I started doing more Pop Warner events. I’ve been participating in the Pop Warner National Cheer and Dance Championships for about 15 years now. What is your role during the National Cheer and Dance Championships? I’m one of the head safety judges so I check for legalities and deductions. I also answer any questions the coaches have about their score and how deductions may have been applied to their performance. What is your favorite part of this week? I really enjoy Thursday’s event, which includes the ESPN live stream. It’s so great to see the kids’ hard work get recognized and I would actually love to see it expand to more days. It’s exciting and I know the kids get a kick out of all the cameras and seeing themselves on TV. I also love watching some of these teams come through all the levels - starting at six or seven years old and competing until until they hit high school. It’s really wonderful to see their hard work pay off for them. INSIDE Pop Warner / 37
KAREN POPE Region Cheer and Dance Coordinator (New England) How did you get involved with Pop Warner? I started in 1983 as a cheerleading coach in my hometown of Leominster, Mass. From there, I became the League Cheer and Dance Coordinator (LCDC) in Central Massachusetts. I did that for around six years and then became the Region Cheer and Dance Coordinator (RCDC) for New England -- and I’m actually the longest reigning RCDC from any region. What is your role during the National Cheer and Dance Championships? I work directly with Lisa Moroski, Pop Warner’s National Cheer and Dance Commissioner, to help run the event. I help with performance order, media books, trophy and medal set up, and the music station. I also stay in contact with the other RCDCs to ensure a smooth, successful event.
What is your favorite part of this week? I’m not sure I have a favorite part. What’s most important is the overall experience and what it does for some of these kids that haven’t had many of these opportunities. The overall picture of what it represents is really special.
DONNA REBARCHAK Volunteer Coordinator How did you get involved with Pop Warner? I got involved with Pop Warner many, many years ago. My daughter was a cheerleader for Pop Warner so I started off as a cheer coordinator and coached her team.
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University of Kentucky Tight End
C.J. CONRAD Named 2018 Pop Warner National College Football Award Winner When it comes to well-rounded athletes, C.J. Conrad checks all the boxes. Not only is he the Wildcats’ team captain and second leading receiver, a Dean’s List student and three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll member, but he’s also one of Kentucky’s most active players in his community. His dedication to his sport, academic excellence and bettering his community are why he was awarded the 2018 Pop Warner National College Football Award at the 62nd Annual Pop Warner Super Bowl at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports complex. 40 / INSIDE Pop Warner
Conrad’s passion for helping others should be a true inspiration to Pop Warner’s young athletes. He spends so much time with patients at Kentucky Children’s Hospital that the hospital holds “Tuesdays with C.J.,” which the kids look forward to each and every week. Additionally, he has traveled to the Dominican Republic for a service trip with two teammates, where they interacted with residents of impoverished communities, visited an orphanage, constructed park benches in a sugar cane village, distributed food to the hun-
gry and visited a nursing home and a daycare for children with special needs. Conrad also supports the Special Olympics and volunteered with Amachi Central Kentucky, a mentoring program that seeks to pair caring, positive adults with children and youth who have been affected by incarceration. “I am extremely blessed and thankful to win this award. I take my community service work and being a role model very seriously,” said Conrad. “Anything I can do to help put
“Giving back is what matters most and I’m so grateful for all of the opportunities I’ve had while being a student-athlete at Kentucky.” a smile on someone’s face means everything to me. Giving back is what matters most and I’m so grateful for all of the opportunities I’ve had while being a student-athlete at Kentucky.”
“I played the sport my whole life and two of my children played, and I “We began presentingthink this the game is safer award in 2010 to shine a than it’s ever been.” light on those student athletes who excel on the field, in the classroom and in the community. With his academic success, his onthe-field leadership, and his work with those in need, C.J. is a poignant example of all that is good in our sport,” said Jon Butler, Executive Director of Pop Warner Little Scholars. “As the only national youth sports organization that requires its athletes to also perform in the classroom, we value student-athletes at the collegiate level who continue to represent those ideals. C.J. provides the perfect example to our young athletes of how to balance sports, school and citizenship.”
“C.J. Conrad exemplifies what the Pop Warner Award stands for,” said Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops. “He is an outstanding player and yet he sets the standard for self-sacrifice, both on and off the field. He is a highly respected leader among his teammates and a great role model for our youth.”
Established in 2010, the Pop Warner College Football Award recognizes a senior who has made a difference on the football field, in the classroom and in his community, all attributes Pop Warner emphasizes with its young scholar athletes. The 2017 winner was former Miami and current New England Patriot wide receiver Braxton Berrios, and
our 2018 finalists were University of Southern California guard Jordan Austin, Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley, USMA at West Point linebacker Kenneth Brinson, Duke University linebacker Ben Humphreys and University of Kansas linebacker Joe Dineen Jr.
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Pop Warner Inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame Class of 2018 Former Stanford head coach Pop Warner, the namesake of our organization, was among four inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame as the Class of 2018 at the Rose Bowl Stadium, the day before the 105th Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual. Pop Warner Little Scholars executive director, Jon Butler, was invited to represent the Warner family during the ceremonies. The Rose Bowl Hall of Fame was established in 1989 to pay tribute to members of the Rose Bowl Game who have contributed to the history and excitement of the game, and those who embody the highest level of passion, strength, tradition and honor associated with The Granddaddy of Them All®. Glenn Scobey “Pop” Warner is regarded as one of the most innovative and creative coaches in college football history. With a coaching career that spanned nearly 45 years, Warner won a then-record 319 games and four national championships, the first three at the University of Pittsburgh and the final one at Stanford in 1926. The legendary coach made three appearances in the Rose Bowl Game and compiled a 1-1-1 record.
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The first time he brought a team to the Granddaddy of Them All, Warner’s Stanford team was defeated by Knute Rockne and the Four Horseman of Notre Dame, 27-10, on January 1, 1925. Two years later, Warner and Stanford returned to Pasadena for the 1927 Rose Bowl Game and tied Alabama, 7-7, with both schools named National Champions. Warner earned his first victory in a Rose Bowl Game in his third try, the following year in 1928, by defeating his former team, the Pitt Panthers, 7-6. In addition to Pop Warner, inductees included former Arizona State guard and NFL great Randall McDaniel, University of Texas and NFL quarterback Vince Young and Illinois graduate and Chicago Bears founder George Halas. With the addition of this year’s class, the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame includes 129 inductees over its 30-year history. Inductees are honored with a permanent plaque that is inscribed with
their name and year of induction at The Court of Champions at the Rose Bowl Stadium. More information on the Hall of Fame induction ceremony can be found online. The Pasadena Tournament of Roses is a volunteer organization that annually hosts the Rose Parade, the Rose Bowl Game and a variety of associated events. The Tournament’s 935 volunteer members act as ambassadors of the organization within the community and serve on one of 31 committees that ensure the success of the parade and game. Collectively, they contribute upwards of 80,000 hours of manpower each year. For additional information on the Tournament of Roses, please visit the official website at www.tournamentofroses.com.
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The 12th Annual Panini Pop Warner Skills Clinic was held February 1, 2019, in Atlanta as part of NFL Super Bowl LIII festivities. The special event featured NFL stars Nick Mullens and Matt Breida of the San Francisco 49ers, Ito Smith of the Atlanta Falcons, Bradley Chubb and Phillip Lindsay of the Denver Broncos and Tyler Boyd of the Cincinnati Bengals, as well as 2019 NFL Draft prospects Dwayne Haskins and Nick Bosa of Ohio State University and Darrell Henderson of the Universith of Memphis.
These players treated more than 100 Pop Warner kids to a memorable experience.
Nick Mullens
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Tyler Boyd
Nick Bosa
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Ito Smith
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ALUMNI FEATURE:
Q&A TOMMY
BOHANON Jacksonville Jaguars
How did you get involved with Pop Warner? TOMMY: I started playing Pop Warner when I was 5 years old. My older cousins played before me, and my sister was a Pop Warner cheerleader.
What is your favorite Pop Warner memory? TOMMY: My favorite memory was when my team won the Peace River Conference Championship and went to the Pop Warner playoffs.
Tell us about your Pop Warner team / coach. Who was your team’s biggest rival? TOMMY: My Pop Warner coaches definitely helped shape me into the person that I am today. They instilled the importance of hard work and dedication in order to reach your dreams. Our biggest rival was probably the Riverdale Wildcats.
Are you still in touch with any of your Pop Warner teammates? TOMMY: I have been able to keep in touch with some of my childhood teammates throughout the years. Some of them are even involved in the youth football camp that I started.
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Is there anything you learned playing Pop Warner that you’ve carried with you through adulthood? TOMMY: Hard work is the catalyst to anything in life. If you work to get the things that you want, only then are they attainable.
How has Pop Warner influenced your professional football career? TOMMY: Pop Warner played a big part in me becoming a professional athlete. Without playing Pop Warner football as a kid, I would never have found the love that I have for the game.
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ALUMNI FEATURE:
Q&A SHAYLA Miami Dolphins Cheerleader
What Pop Warner team did you cheer for? SHAYLA: I cheered for the Liberty City Warriors in Miami.
What was your favorite part of cheering for Pop Warner? SHAYLA: My favorite part of cheering for Pop Warner was that we were all a close-knit family even though we weren’t blood relatives. The team parents brought everybody snacks and drinks so we could eat together after practices and games. All the families knew each other and there was always an uproar of support coming from the stands. It was just an amazing environment to be immersed in.
What are your hobbies outside of cheerleading? SHAYLA: My main hobby outside of cheerleading is working out. If possible, I try to go to the gym 3-5 times a week and I push myself hard because I truly enjoy it. Not only does it keep me active, it also keeps my spirits lifted. Another hobby of mine is singing. I’ve been singing since I was a little girl in the church choir. It’ll always be a passion of mine and I don’t think I could ever stop singing. Dance, of course, is another hobby of mine. Without dance, I don’t know where I’d be. 50 / INSIDE Pop Warner
Do you do any volunteer work? SHAYLA: Yes, I try to do as much volunteer work as I can. I’ve volunteered at summer camps such as MAD Dance Summer Camp and Christopher Columbus Basketball camp. In previous years I’ve volunteered at Hard Rock Stadium during football games and as a tutor. As a Miami Dolphins Cheerleader, I have the pleasure of being able to do even more volunteer work. So far, my favorite event has been painting and sprucing up a veteran’s house for Veteran’s Day. It was the most amazing experience and I’m forever grateful for it.
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What would you say is your biggest accomplishment? SHAYLA: I’m incredibly proud of myself for graduating college. I went to New World School of the Arts as a dance major and the journey was a long and difficult one. It took a copious amount of discipline, hard work, sweat and tears but I made it! I couldn’t be prouder of that fact. I’m also incredibly proud to be able to call myself a Miami Dolphins Cheerleader. The opportunity that I’ve been given to not only better myself, but to also help and inspire others, is the opportunity of a lifetime and one that I’ll never take for granted.
How did Pop Warner prepare you for the world of professional cheerleading? SHAYLA: Pop Warner taught me discipline and how to embrace the uncomfortableness that comes with doing something unfamiliar. I understood from an early age that I had to be committed to my craft and willing to put in the necessary work in order to succeed. When I cheered for the Liberty City Warriors, I had never danced or cheered before and I had definitely not been in front of such large crowds of people. However, those years allowed me to grow into the person and professional cheerleader that I am today.
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POP WARNER BECOMES THE FIRST ORGANIZATION TO PROVIDE
CRASHCOURSE
CONCUSSION EDUCATION NATIONWIDE Through a unique partnership with Stanford University and TeachAids, a nonprofit leader in global education innovation, Pop Warner is committed to educating its young athletes across the country about concussions. Concussions are one of the most widely discussed but least understood issues among the 38 million youth actively engaged in sports across the United States. TeachAids aims to help correct that through CrashCourse, an interactive learning experience that was developed with Stanford University’s leading education, engineering, and medical researchers, as well as their world-class coaches and student-athletes. Filmed in
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both Virtual Reality and HD, the program puts students virtually on the field during a high school football game. “Although there are ample materials available for parents, coaches and medical professionals, there is a dearth of customized, research-based education for young people. If we are going to change the culture of sports we need to educate our young athletes,” said Dr. Julian Bailes, founder of The Brain Injury Research Institute. “CrashCourse has tremendous potential to resonate with our young people and encourage them to come forward when injured.”
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“We have put into place a number of important tools to make Pop Warner football safer, including major rule changes and enhanced coaching education. The partnership with TeachAids will give us yet another important approach to protecting the young people who love the game,” says Jon Butler, Executive Director of Pop Warner. “The interactive, engaging content from experts and elite Stanford student-athletes
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will help teach young people to recognize a concussion and emphasize the importance of speaking up if they think they or a teammate suffered a concussion.” The free, HD version of the CrashCourse curriculum was instituted throughout Pop Warner’s programs nationwide starting in October 2018. The program is also available at: crashcourse.teachaids.org.
“Kids and parents from all sports come to our clinics searching for more robust education on concussions,” said Dr. Gerald Grant, Division Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Stanford Children’s Health. “CrashCourse speaks to young people in their own language. This resource will fill a major gap in education and we hope it has a huge impact around the world.”
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USA FOOTBALL NAMES POP WARNER LEADERS TO FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT MODEL COUNCIL Executive Director Jon Butler and Janan Miller, Hill Country Pop Warner league president in Austin, Texas, were each named by USA Football to its Football Development Model Council. Launched in February, the Football Development Model (FDM) Council has been established to guide the formation of the first national application of a long-term athlete development model for the sport. Aligned with the U.S. Olympic Committee’s American Development Model, the FDM centers on physical literacy and developmentally appropriate skill instruction. It serves as a framework
for how football is presented, practiced and coached from youth through adulthood, spanning varying game types and options. “The FDM is an athlete’s roadmap – at any age – to enjoy the fun of football by participating in sport activities that are developmentally appropriate physically, mentally and socially,” said Dr. Brian Hainline, chairman of the Football Development Model Council and the Chief Medical Officer of the NCAA. “Part of the model’s forward thinking is that you learn to become an athlete before you learn to become a player. When sports
programs adopt the FDM, athletes will perform better, play longer and gain a lifelong path to athleticism, health and wellness through football.” “Our FDM Council is a tremendously diverse and knowledgeable group of experts,” said USA Football CEO Scott Hallenbeck. “Each member will help deliver a first for our football family, employing a holistic framework to reimagine how football is played, coached and experienced.” More about USA Football’s Football Development Model resides here.
Football Development Model Council Medical/Child Development Specialists • Dr. Brian Hainline (Chairman), NCAA Chief Medical Officer • Dr. Gerard Gioia, Division Chief of Neuropsychology, Children’s National Health System • Dr. Michael McCrea, Professor of Neurosurgery & Neurology, Medical College of Wisconsin • Dr. Johna Register-Mihalik, Assistant Professor Exercise & Sport Science, University of North Carolina Long-Term Athlete Development and American Development Model Specialists • Dr. Stephen Norris, Adjunct Professor of Applied Physiology, Mount Royal University and University of Calgary • Dr. Paul Roetert, Former Chief Executive Officer, SHAPE America • Mr. Chris Snyder, Director of Coaching Education, United States Olympic Committee Football Subject Matter Advisors • Mr. Todd Berry, Executive Director, American Football Coaches Association • Mr. Anquan Boldin, Former NFL Player • Mr. Elijah Brooks, Running Backs Coach, University of Maryland • Ms. Callie Brownson, Assistant Football Coach, Dartmouth College • Mr. Jon Butler, Executive Director, Pop Warner Little Scholars • Mr. Brad Garrett, Assistant Executive Director, Oregon School Activities Association • Mr. Scott Heitland, Head Football Coach, Dallas Center-Grimes (Iowa) High School • Mr. Kirby Hocutt, Director of Athletics, Texas Tech University • Ms. Janan Miller, League President, Hill Country Pop Warner (Austin, Texas) • Dr. Karissa Niehoff, Executive Director, National Federation of State High School Associations • Mr. Richard Raphael, President, Xtreme Youth Football (Miami, Fla.) • Dr. Jon Steinbrecher, Commissioner, Mid-American Conference • Mr. Buddy Teevens, Head Football Coach, Dartmouth College • Mr. Troy Vincent, Former NFL Player and NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations USA Football designs and delivers premier educational, developmental and competitive programs to advance and grow the sport. As the sport’s national governing body, member of the U.S. Olympic Committee and organizer of the U.S. National Team for international competition, USA Football partners with leaders in medicine, child advocacy and athletics to support positive football experiences for youth, high school and other amateur players. 58 / INSIDE Pop Warner
WHY GET CERTIFIED? USA Football empowers coaches at all levels to develop their coaching skills through easy-to-access certification opportunities and training resources. Heads Up Football gives youth league coaches access to the most comprehensive and widely endorsed player safety program in the nation.
1 FURTHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT All USA Football certifications are created with leading football and medical experts. Our courses are focused on providing the right content to make you a better coach and create a safer experience for your youth athletes.
2 RECEIVE INSTRUCTION FROM NFL EXPERTS In addition to important health and safety training, you’ll receive a solid foundation for better, safer contact techniques. The Heads Up Football program features instruction from Rocky Seto, former Seattle Seahawks assistant coach, and Scott Peters, former NFL offensive lineman and contact expert.
3 ACCESS ADVANCED TECHNIQUES Courses feature advanced techniques and in-game and in-practice examples from NFL, college and top high school teams across the nation – allowing you to learn from the best.
4 IT’S EASY-TO-ACCESS New for 2019, coaches are able to get certified in a way that is easiest for them. 1) Complete the entire certification online at usafootball.com/certification. OR 2) Attend an in-person clinic and receive both classroom and on-field instruction. All participating attendees will be automatically certified after the clinic.
Lead the change in your organization – become certified today. Learn more at usafootball.com/certification
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POP WARNER & RIDDELL RENEW PARTNERSHIP With a goal of improving youth football and the experience it provides for young athletes across the country, Pop Warner has renewed its partnership and Riddell, the leader in football innovation. The new three-year partnership will keep Pop Warner as an Official Youth Football Partner of Riddell, and Riddell will remain the Official Protective Equipment and Reconditioning Provider of Pop Warner. “At Pop Warner, we are focused on continually looking for ways to elevate the safety of the game, and we know that is a priority for Riddell as well,” said Jon Butler, executive director of Pop Warner Little Scholars. “We’re grateful for the partnership and look forward to working closely with Riddell to make football safer and better for the young people who want to play this great game.” 60 / INSIDE Pop Warner
Founded in 1929, Riddell is a premier designer and developer of protective sports equipment and a recognized leader in helmet technology and innovation. One of BRG Sports’ most well known brands, Riddell is the leading manufacturer of football helmets, shoulder pads and reconditioning services (cleaning, repairing, repainting and re-certifying existing equipment). “Riddell values its relationship with Pop Warner as both of our organizations have a shared commitment to leading football to a strong future,” said Dan Arment, President and CEO for Riddell. “We look forward to our continued support of Pop Warner and its member organizations as we advance player protection today and in the future.”
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POP WARNER BECOMES FIRST NATIONAL FOOTBALL ORGANIZATION TO ELIMINATE THREE-POINT STANCE Also eliminating kickoffs in a fourth division and introducing age-specific programs Pop Warner became the first national football program at any level to eliminate the three-point stance as it advances efforts to make the sport safer for young people. The ban, which will be introduced in Pop Warner’s three youngest divisions this season, is aimed at changing how offensive and defensive linemen engage in contact when the ball is snapped. Studies have shown offensive and defensive linemen have the greatest frequency of head impacts. Under the new rule, players in Tiny Mite (5-7 years old), Mitey Mite (7-9) and Junior Pee Wee (8-10) will not be allowed to position themselves on the line with their hand on the ground before the snap. Instead, they must either be upright or in a modified squat position with their hands on their legs. “We believe this change is another step in creating a safer, better football experience for young people,” said Jon Butler, executive director of Pop Warner Little Scholars. “By moving away from the three-point stance at our youngest levels we are changing how players are introduced to the sport and how they learn to play the game. We are also setting the stage for our higher levels of play to adopt the change. Because our sport has been willing to evolve over the past 150 years it is safer than ever, while maintaining what makes it so great.” “When making decisions like this we first look at them from a medical standpoint and examine whether the change will make the playing experience safer for our young athletes. We believe this rule does that,” said Julian Bailes, MD, chairman of the Pop Warner Medical Advisory Committee and NorthShore University Health System’s surgical director at NorthShore Neurological Institute and chair of the Department of Neurosurgery. “Eliminating the threepoint stance should lessen the amount of force between linemen and we expect it will cut down on unintentional helmet contact at the line.” Pop Warner will use this coming season to assess the new rule in the younger divisions as it considers implementing it later for the program’s higher levels. The organization also announced two additional changes for the 2019 season, which starts in September:
• No kickoffs at the Pee Wee (9-11 years old) level. Pop Warner’s 2016 rule banning kickoffs in its three youngest age groups will be introduced at its Pee Wee division this season. Instead of kicking the ball off following a score or to start a half it will be placed at the 35-yard line.
• Adding alternative to Age-Weight. Pop Warner leagues may continue the current structure of divisions based on a player’s age and weight or can now implement a division by age only. Currently, an estimated 75-80% of youth football leagues nationally abide by an age-only structure.
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Youth Sports–What Had Changed by Ken Newman I have been involved in sports my whole life. I started playing sports at the age of 5. I began coaching high school athletics in my 20’s, which lead to coaching at the junior college level in my 40’s. (I still coach high school as of this writing.) I volunteered to coach my son and daughter’s travel teams from 4th grade to 8th grade. Finally, I volunteered to help with the town basketball program, eventually becoming president for 7 years. In all that time things have certainly changed. Articles have been written. News stories covered. Parental battles captured on social media. I continue to wonder what the heck is going on? Has it always been this way? I don’t think so.
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So, what has changed? As I sat back to reflect on my youth and my playing experience, I tried to recall the scenarios we often see today. Either I am repressing such events, or they just weren’t that prevalent back then.
lunch period on Monday. They are well aware of their skill level or lack thereof, but they are there participating.
As I sat back and pondered the current state of affairs, I stared at the word Youth; and there it was right there in the word itself —YOUTH.
For many, participation is not something they sought out, but is thrust upon them because mom and dad want them to socialize and get some exercise. Unfortunately, this is because the idea of knocking on your pals doors and organizing your own athletic event doesn’t happen as it had in the past.
Often at times today we forget that these sports are being played by our youth, our children. Their reason for participating is usually tied into the fact that they want to be with their friends and have some fun. They want to put on a uniform and be part of a team so they can share stories during
As parents our desire to protect them and make sure they have friends and are happy overtakes the natural course of events. Because as parents we set up play dates and register them for sports, our children are not always in charge of their own decisions.
In the 1970’s if you wanted to get a game together you made phone calls, knocked on doors or you organized the gathering during school. As parents, we knew most of your friends because they would come to the house or call on the phone. Today, as parents our involvement is removed due to “social” media and texting. So what do we do; we get them involved; we make choices for them; and we try to connect them with friends. I get it, as parents we want our kid to be liked and popular and successful. That’s not a bad thing by any means. However, do we stop and take inventory of our child’s wants or preferences before they start their youth sports journey? Do we understand why they are on the field or
court? If it is not really because they want to be then don’t be so critical about their performance or lack of interest. Don’t be so critical of their playing time or lack there of. For many a coach it is not always that they don’t play your child because he or she is not skilled; however, it might be because he or she is not skilled enough to be successful. Kids are very critical of themselves and each other. For a child, being put into a situation where they cannot succeed is negatively impactful on a couple of levels. First, it impacts their confidence in that they have failed and are no good. Second, there is either the self-imposed criticism on how they let down the team or the occasion where teammates say things.
Parents, coaches, teachers should really all have the same objective and that is to put a player in the best position to succeed and not set them up for failure. Our objective should be to help them grow and improve as they participate. I believe the most important word in sports today is PERSPECTIVE. If we can keep the proper perspective in youth sports, especially for our child perhaps we too will enjoy all that comes with being on a team, participating on a team and we won’t miss out on our child’s enjoyment of the experience when the expectations placed on their success are put into the proper perspective.
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Pop Warner Athletes
TEAM UP in the Fight Against Breast Cancer
With more than 3.1 million survivors and nearly 270,000 new invasive cases each year in the United States alone, breast cancer has touched so many people in every community across our country. In fact, it’s the second most prevalent cancer for women in the U.S. That’s why we wanted to do our part in fighting this terrible disease. So during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, Pop Warner held its annual PINK Contest to help raise awareness for breast cancer research. We challenged teams across our cheer, dance and football programs to show their support for the millions of people affected by this disease. To highlight the creative ways in which the teams met the challenge, they posted their photos to social media with the hashtag #PopWarnerPink.
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“Breast cancer is a terrible disease that affects millions of people and their families worldwide,” said Lisa Moroski, national cheer and dance commissioner for Pop Warner Little Scholars. “Unfortunately, some of those people include our young athletes and other members of the Pop Warner family. To help show our support and dedication to finding a cure, it was important that we find a fun, interactive way to get the kids involved.” Each week throughout the month of October, a panel of judges selected the top photos from the week and featured them on Pop Warner’s social media channels. Fans voted for their favorite photo and the winning team was named Pop Warner’s “Pink Games Team of the Week.”
HERE ARE SOME OF THE WINNING PHOTO SUBMISSIONS: Week 1
Week 2
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SOMETHING TO CHEER ABOUT Spring has arrived, and this means prepping for your next Pop Warner Season.
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Written By: Marty Grogan Vice President | JAMZ
If you’re a cheerleader you can look forward to having fun, working hard, improving from last year, hanging out with friends, wearing your team colors, cheering for your team and being proud at competition! If you’re a coach you can look forward to rushing home from work, gulping dinner, racing to practice, overseeing warm-ups, motion drills, jump drills, stunt drills, teaching game day chants, half time routines and competition choreography. Then when games begin, it REALLY gets crazy!
The commitment and value of volunteer coaches cannot be overstated. Most work harder at this volunteer job than the one that pays the rent, and they stay because they love the kids, love the sport, and love their Pop Warner friends who have become family. The secret sauce of a vibrant program is the recruitment, retention and training of coaches and cheerleaders. When a veteran coach is paired with a well-trained team, excellence happens, and everyone notices. Kids want to return next year to continue
the tradition. Returning coaches become more comfortable in their role and learn to delegate responsibility to newer coaches while improving their program even more. Excellent teams have a natural draw and become the best recruiting tool for drawing in new kids and their parents. New parents, who sit on the sidelines this year, are also known as ‘Future Coaches’, they just don’t know it yet. And so the cycle begins!
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But what if your cheer program is struggling? What if the fire has burnt down to a flicker? You CAN turn it around! Here are 4 steps in the turnaround process: 1. C reate a welcoming vibe. From the moment a potential program leader or coach meets the leadership team, they must feel the culture of support and ‘we’ve got your back’ that they never want to leave. 2. F ind ONE great person. Easy to say. Hard to do. You’ll notice the word coach hasn’t yet been introduced in this job description. You need a strong leader. This trait ranks higher than how much they KNOW - at least in the beginning. Look for someone who is strong minded yet light hearted, structured yet kind, someone who leads without intimidation, takes the sport seriously but themselves lightly, is willing to communicate openly but can take critique, and someone who knows enough to spot and recruit people with more cheer and/or dance knowledge than they - who in turn will teach, energize and restructure your teams.
3. M ake it FUN. Now that you have a strong leader who has recruited skilled coaches, you must retain this volunteer lottery with the gift of fun. Be honest with yourselves. Kids and coaches have a choice of staying or going. While we know we provide life lessons of hard work, sportsmanship, teamwork, skill building and healthy exercise, the kids only stay if they’re ‘having fun’. It’s our job to make them excited to bring their friends and to return next season. 4. C reate a Media Army. Your cheer program is now ready for its ‘close-up’. Create social media recruitment posts and encourage all your athletes and coaches to add their positive experiences and SHARE. Create flyers for kids to give their friends. Have a contest. All cheerleaders who recruit at least three friends will be entered to win the sweepstakes prize. On the designated day, draw the winning name. Have a prize of value donated by a sponsor or community partner. Admittedly, this is a very short list of the many ways to recruit and retain athletes and coaches, but please remember that EXCELLENCE is the best recruitment tool. I wish you an excellent, healthy and safe season! Have FUN and enjoy the ride.
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ESPN Wide World of Sports is bringing new and improved menu options to The Grill, The Arena, and even food trucks throughout the complex. Be on the lookout for everything from fresh grab-and-go salads to smoky barbacoa and nachos!
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BEST OF LUCK ON YOUR SEASON THIS YEAR!
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