Dear Football Parents,

As the head football coach, I would like to share with you my philosophy and goals for the Southridge Football program with the hope that you will better understand the direction and focus that will comprise the Southridge Football program.

Fundamentals in any sport must be stressed, and if football were just a game of fundamentals, for example; blocking, tackling, passing and kicking, my level of dedication would not be very deep. If football was just about winning and losing the game probably would not be worth all the time and effort the parents, coaches and players will commit. I say this because regardless of how great a player you are raising, there will come a day in his life when he will play his last football game, at which point your son will then need to take the lessons he learned through this football program and use them to prepare for the next phases of his life. These lessons are just as important as the fundamentals of the game.

I believe the key to a successful football program and to being a great man can be summed up by the words “Self-discipline.” This is and will be the main focus of the Southridge Football Program. Characteristics of the word “self-discipline” are teamwork, enthusiasm, obedience, desire, organization, love, fun, confidence, unselfishness, achievement, work ethic, character, courage and success. These characteristics do not cease when your son has played his last game, but are a part of who your son has become by being involved in the Southridge Football program. Hard work is also involved in the word “self-discipline.” The result of hard work includes blood, sweat, tears, bruises, physical exhaustion, and improvement. I wish there was an easy and painless way to build character but there is not - not in football or in life. My philosophy lies in the idea that by building self-discipline, a player has the ability and strength to get back up when he is knocked down, whether it is on the football field or in life.

Teaching the lesson of self-discipline begins with ones’ actions. I will not tolerate disrespectful behaviors towards teammates, officials, coaches, parents or other personnel. Regardless of a player’s size, speed or ability, he can always give his best effort on and off the football field. The success of the team, in my eyes, does not lie with the wins or losses, yet in the effort put forth and the self-discipline displayed. I want your son to have every opportunity to become a fine football player, but more important then that, I want him to be a fine young man as a result of having participated in the Southridge Football program.

I believe that you will be proud of your son and his accomplishments both on and off the field. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for letting me be a part of your son’s life and allowing me to share my philosophy and expectations with you.