Summer 2015 Parent Letter 5/22

Hello All,

I am writing in response to a number of calls I have received lately concerning a number of items. I am writing to answer in mass these common questions.

Baseball

I know that the league that the baseball coaches have entered into is a Tuesday-Thursday league. I also happen to have football practice on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. I understand that this may seem like it is a dilemma. However, my stance has not changed. We start the preseason of football in ten days. Summer baseball is just that summer baseball. I apologize if I seem harsh or uncaring. I want everyone to have opportunities, however, I must resubmit that it is my expectation that if your son intends on playing football in the fall, then he should practice as much with us as humanly possible.

Secondly, I am not speaking without experience in this situation; Hickman won championships in football and in baseball in 2004 and 2005. Many of the contributors in both programs lifted weights and during that summer practiced football when football was scheduled and played summer baseball opposite that schedule. What has changed is the contact days in football, and the numerous and varied levels of select baseball. I recognized this when I set the schedule.  Again, in most cases our schedule allows time for many things. But football time needs to be a priority also.

Again, I am not being insensitive but the responsibility and accountability for this program begins and ends with me. For this young team to be ready to perform in the opening Jamboree in 87 days we will need as many of our intended players practicing as much as possible. Finally, I have spoken directly with Coach Mershon who will be running summer baseball and Coach Devine and outlined my stance. They, as I, believe that cooperation can be had this summer.

Vacations

Folks it is your vacation…..have a good time.

7-on-7 Waivers

Please just sign the waiver. There is no fee you need to pay. I really do not even need you to fill out anything other than your son’s name and any contact or insurance information. DO NOT SEND K-STATE ANY MONEY!!!!!.  Again, parent signature and any information pertinent to you as a parent. Our departure time will be announced for K-State next week.

The Touchdown Club Membership

There is a rumor that if you do not join the Touchdown Club and pay the membership fee we are asking of $175 then your son cannot participate in football. This is just a rumor. I do want you to keep in mind that the Touchdown Club provides for any and everything that I cannot with the football budget. This past season The Touchdown Club provided daily snacks, sports drinks, and bottled water, because some of our boys had not eaten since 10:30 am, and needed to eat something at 4:30 pm before practice. The Touchdown Club has also provided protein shakes, weekly team dinners, and entrance fees to event like the 7-on-7’s for every member. In the past team camp cost $140 with a $20 transportation cost and the night in Webster Grove was $20 per player with a $20 transportation fee. We are asking $175 from each family as a way to raise funds. This will be your fundraiser for the year. No selling cards, cookies, candy, etc. The club will use these funds to help cover summer expenses and expenses through the season. Again, joining the Touchdown Club has nothing to do with your son and his ability to play football.  Joining The Touchdown Club is one of the ways we ask that you help support the team.

Summer School

We will be finished with our morning lifting in time for your son to shower and get breakfast so that he is ready for his summer school class. Lockers and locks will be provided on June 1^st. We encourage our athletes to lock up their valuables.

Physicals

Your son can participate in summer activities without an updated physical. However, he will not be allowed to practice in August if he does not have an updated physical. An updated physical is any physical dated after February 1, 2015.

I hope I have cleared up some questions for many of you. I hope you have a restful and enjoyable weekend.

Coach Monroe

Parent Letter 5/12/15

Hello All,

Welcome to summer. As we wind down towards the end school year, I wanted to touch base with you on a number of items to hopefully make the summer go smoothly. We are less than month away from starting our summer contact sessions and summer lifting. Please check the calendar at www.hickmanfootball.blogspot.com so that you can make yourself familiar with the summer schedule.

My expectation for summer is simply this: If your son is to participate in the Hickman Football Program, I expect him to participate in our summer activities. The summer is the prelude to football season. Our preparation this summer will directly affect our effectiveness as a football team therefore, I ask that you work with me to make football a priority on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday throughout the summer. From the start of our summer session we have just 38 opportunities to prepare for the season. There have been numerous phone calls and emails this spring about my view on student-athletes and multiple sports. I have tried to support those student-athletes having a well-rounded athletic experience here at Hickman with my scheduling. Simply put, your son does not get better as a football player, and we do not get better as a team, if we do not lift weights and practice football. I stated this position in my communication dated March 30^th of this year.  Everything we do this summer will be an evaluation, an opportunity to compete, and a way to get better. Please bear with me as I touch on a few more topics for which I have received questions.

Vacations

Have a good time.

What does my son need to start the summer?

I have asked all parents to join the Touchdown Club. I posted that letter and membership form on the blog. We are asking that each parent pay $175 to cover all summer expenses and meals during the season. Please review the letter on the blog from March 19^th, 2015 to explain more about the Touchdown Club and print out a membership form.  For workouts your son will need gym clothes (t-shirt and shorts), tennis shoes, and cleats. If getting a pair of cleats is a problem, I have used ones here at the school.

What if we cannot join the Touchdown Club? Does that mean he cannot play?

If you cannot join the Club that does not mean your son will not be able to play football. Please keep in mind there are many ways the club supports our student athletes. There are also many ways you can help support the team. Please contact the Touchdown Club President, Matt Markley at mm1972golf@aol.com or 573-673-5006 if you have further questions on how you can help. 

Calendar Changes

• There will be no workouts the week of May 18^th through May 22^nd due to finals.
• All players will receive equipment on June 1^st (not just freshman). The Riddell company representative will be here on June 1^st to professionally fit all the players with helmets.
• On July 15^th we will practice against Blair Oaks High School so that day will be reclassified as a competition day.

College Camps

This year I chose not to go to a college camp because, essentially, we are a young and fundamentally inexperienced football team. Many of our incoming seniors are being recruited by colleges and universities from all over the country. They have proven themselves in varsity action. They have film against varsity opponents and will be attending college one-day camps in an effort to be evaluated for scholarships. I have worked with these colleges and universities who have an interest as spring recruiting winds down. If your son is an underclassman without varsity minutes, a college camp is a complete waste of your money and time away from the program is lost. There is a saying I like to use, “Men lie, tape does not.” All of the college coaches want varsity game tape. Please keep this in mind.

For those student athletes involved in the recruiting process, I suggest attending one-day camps where there are multiple colleges and universities that will be present to evaluate athletes. These are:

• Missouri State University One Day Camp on May 31^st, Springfield Missouri
• University of Illinois One Day Camp on June 4^th, O’Fallon Illinois.
• University of Kansas One Day Camp on June 5^th, Lee Summit High School
• University of Missouri Black and Gold Camps June 7^th and June 9^th

Please click the dates above for more information on a particular camp. I have also placed all the information I have for the various other one-day camps on the blog. You have to determine where you want your son to go and what you want to pay for. Please keep the Hickman schedule in mind as you make your plans. I too am evaluating our practices and contact days. If you have any questions please feel free to call me or stop by. I am at school every night until 6:30 p.m.

Remember the summer is the preseason for football. Please help me in making our efforts as successful as possible by seeing that your son is at as many football days as possible.

Thanks

Coach Monroe