The Eagles Nest: March 2011

2012 The Year of Destiny

2012 The Year of Destiny: Time to go back to work!

I think each day, each week, each month, and of course each year brings new and exciting challenges and expectations. The 2012 Eagle Football year is no exception. We have entered in to a new Conference, with many of our old friends from Tennessee, that will give us opportunities for success that we have not had before. We are attempting to build a new 11-man conference which will include teams that we have been playing from Indianapolis and Cincinnati, that again, we lend its' self for our success.

2012 promises to be an outstanding year in many regards. It looks very good for the success of our Senior and Junior teams, in that we have already had an influx of coaches and players show interest in those two teams. Locally, there is a new league which has formed that shows promise of sound structure and motivation in the 9 - 14 age group which will lend itself to our needs.

Spring Football begins on March 19th, and already we have many new faces at the younger ages that want to come out and take a look at what we offer. All in all I visualize Eagle Football becoming a platform for God's plan as it spreads beyond my expectations in 2012.

I can't wait to watch it all happen!

A Season To Remember

Eagle Football 2011,

was a season to remember, for many reasons. We, the players themselves, the coaching staff, and myself and the players and parents came together like never before and met challenges head-on. The players went from two-a-days, where they worked on football skills, (but also fed the people in need, helped mentor kids at a football camp, and washed cars for a church), to regular season with hopes and aspirations of success.

Together, the players worked hard, to get in shape, to hone skills, and to reach a point where team would be gained and individual would be lost. They were successful!

Through a season that witnessed "not so many wins" but many victories on and off of the field, our fans saw hard play, companionship, and a dedication to one another that showed the greatest of our players. Players, as well as the team, went through trials and tribulation but over-came the not so bright moments to stand tall and witness the greatness of what we achieved.

Together, with God's help, we withstood personal strive, family disorder, relationship testers, sicknesses and emotional soul seeking. Together, with God leading the way, we stood tall!

God has blessed us! He has blessed us as individuals and as a team and a program. God stands in front of us as a protector, as a mentor, as a leader, as a guide, and as our Father!

He told me this year, in a passing moment of fasting and searching, that it is our time to plant the seeds and He will choose the season for the blooming.

You know what? I believe Him.

HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!

The Eagle Philosophy

Eagle Football 2012

Mission Statement: We will influence young men and women in Christ like ways, by using athletics as our vehicle, so that together we may build strong Christians, a strong educational system, and a strong Christian based community.

1. Build individual and program character.

2. Encourage players, parents, and staff to create positive goal oriented values and philosophies.

3. Develop student-athlete relationships.

4. Create within the program a sense of growth of all involved personnel.

5. Teach personal conviction and a high work ethic.

6. Lead members to understanding the scope of a purpose driven life.

7. Promotion of Pride, Team, and School and Community Spirit

8. Instill a Vision of success.

1. Build individual and program character

This program is and will continue to be built on the idea that character is acting in the appropriate way when no one else is watching. In other words, if we can learn and can teach every one in the program to be accountable for themselves, the team, the school, and Jesus Christ we as a program will be a success. The first thing we must teach and learn is, if everyone involved does what they are suppose to do, not only will everything be done in a wonderful manner but everyone will establish within themselves a pride and a honor for the commitment to all of the people involved in that commitment.

It goes without saying that every person involved has been introduced to a varying set of rules and ideas on the best way to live ones life. Within the understanding of this fact, it is necessary that we establish our team rules, that will predicate our team character.

We must also manifest the idea that this commitment to character be carried over to each and every persons own individual lives.

These ideas are manufactured by;

a. the common sharing of team tasks

b. team study hall

c. team dress codes

d. team discipline and action expectations

e. team practice schedules

f. team calendars

g. team itinerary

2. Encourage players, parents, and staff to create positive goal oriented values and philosophies.

We will schedule team and parent meetings so that every member of the program will have the opportunity to be an influence in the program.

Parents are invited to contribute to the goal setting, goal seeking, and goal reaching process. This is established through the scheduled meetings and through the ongoing student-athlete functions. The seniors are invited to participate in a one-on–one goal setting meeting between the player, their parents, and Coach Thomas.

Each player will establish annual goals and they will be evaluated as the student-athlete progresses through school and the program.

3. Develop student-athlete relationships.

The goal for all students should be to be successful. I think that one common thread runs through all adults. That would be that sometimes in life we need help. Our goal is to help students to learn how to be successful through gaining help in the team.

By teaching a student that the team consists of teachers, parents, coaches, and other classmates, we as a program can help the student-athlete gain understanding that help at being successful is all around them. Many times students do not thing that seeking help is a good thing but by sharing stories, gaining confidence, and by involving the students themselves in the process we can help them become the best they can be on and off of the field.

Through the organization of groups, visitation of colleges, and public service time we will insure each and every student has an opportunity to develop meaningful, positive relationships.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Parent Meeting, minutes

Eagle Football Parent Meeting, Monday, March 28, 2011

Held by: Coach Dave Thomas

Location: Evangel Christian School, library

Parents Attended

Teri Eisenmenger

Rick Miller

Rhonda Pierson

Jason Stewart

Marletta Baete

Parents Notified their Absence

Rodney Janes

Kerry Jones

Trace Chesser

Rick Lykins

John Mcclanahan

Renee Bishop

Listed below are the topics that were discussed in our Football Parent Meeting:

The basketball league fundraiser has been delayed to start after spring break. Coach Thomas is hosting a men's basketball league to raise funds for our football program. He is posting an ad in the sports/recreational section of the newspaper for interested players ranging from age 16 to adult. The league will play on Wednesday for 14 weeks at Evangel Christian School. The cost to register a men's basketball team is $350.00. If you would like to volunteer to work the concession stand (drinks) or keep score at the game please notifiy Coach Thomas of your interest to volunteer.

Coach Thomas and a few volunteers worked on the weight trailer during the 3-day Work Days he scheduled in March. It was a start in cleaning, organizing and painting; however, there is still more work needed to be done. Coach is asking for volunteers to help out in the month of April in the following jobs to finish the work needed in the weight trailer.

a) 3 or 4 men needed to arrange weight room equipment (heavy lifting required)

b) Upholstery 3 or 4 benches on weight equipment, or possibly all to make match

c) 1 6-foot belt needed to be fixed on weight equipment

d) Install shelves to store concession stand items

Coach Thomas has also scheduled a Work Day on April 14, 2011 for the players and any parents who would like to volunteer their time to do some landscaping. He plans on planting some trees and would also like suggestions on what type of bushes/flowers to plant. The work will begin at 4:30pm and will last as long as Coach has volunteers to work. Please contact Coach Thomas of your interest to volunteer; it will be MUCH appreciated!

Thanks to Eric Yates we have now obtained the 3 large tractor tires Coach requested for training/conditioning purposes for the team.

Coach is figuring the railroad ties to fence in the track around the football field will be ready for delivery in July. At that time he will need large trucks for transportation and volunteer workers to unload and build the track.

Coach Thomas is still in the process of interviewing perspective assistant coaches for the team. He is looking for Christ-centered individuals who agree with the mission to build Christian young men through this football program. He is looking to have 5 or 6 coaches for this football season.

We just finished our Spring Flag Football program; it ran for the past three weeks and was a

great success! The Spring Football program is a continuation of the off-season conditioning program for our existing players, but it is also designed to let new kids who are interested get an idea of how the football program works. All players involved had fun playing flag football and we have a few who are now intersted in joining the team! Coach Thomas was very proud of the older varsity players who took the time to motivate and encourage the younger players.

On April 11, 2011 we will begin our Off-Season Weight Training Workouts, Monday thru Thursday, 4:30pm - 6:15pm; this will continue through May 26, 2011. Coach Thomas will host a Lift-a-Thon on the last two days of weight training, May 25th and May 26th. The winner will be the one able to lift the most weight based on a percentage of his own individual weight. Players will need to report to the weight trailer by the field instead of reporting to the front of the school.

Coach Thomas handed out examples of the ad sizes/cost that can be sold for our game football programs. This is a great opportunity that will benefit the team and your pocketbook! You can sell an ad for the game football program and Coach Thomas will award 50% of the proceeds towards your son's registration/spirit pak fee. This will give each player the opportunity to play for free! The company that purchases an ad will receive a tax donation. If you are not familiar with the game football program, contact Coach Thomas and he will give you a copy. Listed below is the price to place an ad in the program.

$25.00 - Business Card

$50.00 - Quarter Page

$100.00 - Half Page

$200.00 - Whole Page

$300.00 - Back page of program

Coach Thomas has e-mailed each family a wealth of information concerning our football program. The e-mail addresses the cost, required forms (Eagle registration form & KHSAA physical form), football schedule and summer workout calendar. The Eagle Football registration form is due May 1, 2011 along with the registration fee (see below).

High School (Varsity) Fee Schedule

Registration Fee - $75.00 - due May 1, 2011

Sprit Pak Fee - $100.00 - due June 1, 2011

Camp Fee - $125.00 - due July 1, 2011 **

**The Camp Fee will only be for Varsity Team Players and will only be due if the decision is made to go to Asbury

College for Football Camp. The Junior and Middle School teams will NOT go to camp and will not need to pay a

camp fee.

Middle School Fee Schedule

Registration Fee - $50.00 - due May 1, 2011

Spirt Pak Fee - $50.00 - due June 1, 2011

Junior Fee Schedule

One time registration/spirit pak fee - $75.00 - due May 1, 2011

To kick off the official football season the Varisty players will have a sleep over at the school on July 8, 2011. This will be a great bonding time for the players with plenty of games to be played. Sport Physicals are scheduled for the next morning, July 9th, for all football players, which also includes the Junior and Middle School players. The physicals are scheduled at 9:00am and will be given by a doctor with 2 nurse assistants at Evangel Christian School. There will be a $25.00 fee for each physical. Parents please make sure your son has the $25.00 fee and the KHSAA physical form with the parent and insurance sections completed. The doctor can NOT complete the physical without the form completed by the parent first. If your son is unable to come to this scheduled physical he must have his physical completed by a doctor before the official start of the football season on July 11, 2011 for Varsity players and August 1, 2011 for Junior and Middle School players.

Some parents have expressed an interest in starting a cheerleading squad for our team. If you have a daughter who would be intersted in participating on this cheerleading squad please contact Teri Eisenmenger through her e-mail address, je2911@bellsouth.net. Also, if anyone has experience and would like to be the cheerleading coach let Mrs. Eisenmenger know of your interest.

Don't forget to visit our blog, THE EAGLES NEST @ myfootballhome.blogspot.com. Let Coach Thomas know if you have any suggestions of what else could be added to the blog.

Our next Football Parent Meeting is scheduled for May 2, 2011, 6:30pm, in the library at Evangel Christian School. Hope to see you there!

Contact Information for Coach Thomas:

dthomasfootball@aol.com

Cell - (502) 523-0869

School - (502) 968-7744, ext. 1512

Address

Evangel Christian School

5400 Minors Lane

Louisville, KY 40219

PLEASE RETURN ALL FORMS TO COACH THOMAS:

Eagle Football

Attn: HFC Dave Thomas

4314 South Park Road

Louisville, Kentucky 40219

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Did You Know?

Most people view football as a contact sport, but is it the only contact sport? That would be an easy answer considering boxing, judo, wrestling, ..., but how about soccer and basketball? Did you know that between the years of 2000 and 2010 there were four times as many joint injuries in basketball than in football? Did you know there were 2 1/2 times as many of head and neck injuries in Soccer than in Football during the same time period?

The truth is that injuries do happen in all sports, and a good, well designed injury prevention program is something you as a parent or player should be looking for. We pride ourselves in our injury prevention program as well as our heat emergency action plan. But it is a key point that any athlete participating in Summer and Fall sports needs to become acclimated.

Come to our parent meetings and get in on what we do to protect our players!

Next meeting; May 2nd at 6:30

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Spring Football and Off-Season Weights

Spring football was a great success. All the players had a great time and Coach T., well you know, he was just Coach T.

See all of you off-season workout junkies on the 12th from 4:30 - 6:15 for the good ole' Olympic System. Come on guys, I know you missed those plates of iron and those bars of steel. Listen closely; I can here one calling your name now!

If interested come out and join us, in the weight room, or if you have questions give Coach Thomas a call at (502) 523-0869.

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I had a friend visit me today!

Today I made contact with a young man that I have not spoken with in many years. It was awesome! I treasured his work ethic, his sense of purpose and his desire to excel in a situation where excellence does not come easy......FOOTBALL.

It was a young man that played for me 10 years ago, and now has a family and goals of his and their own. It is interesting to visualize how developing an attitude toward life can make or break you later on in life. He is living the dream; of success, family, children, and a loving wife.

I call that perception. You know; life really is about perception. How do you visualize the task at hand, the circumstances that have delivered you to where you are, or merely the plans for your life, that sometimes seem so difficult.

Do you realize that the odds where actually against you being here? Yeah, thats right. When you where conceived you where a 40 million to one shot and you won. The kid that could have took your place could have looked like you, breathed like you, been raised like you, but it would not have been you. Have you ever thought about that?

Jer. 29:11 says God does have plans for your life. Plans to make you prosper, and He had them, just for you, before you were ever conceived. The only thing really left to decide is what are you going to do with the one life you have.

Are you going to walk in front of, beside of, behind, or not at all with the one that formulated the plans for you? I suggest you walk behind Him, with your hands tightly grasping His, so that He may lead you and that you may develop FAITH in Him that you may "prosper, all the days of your life."

A Message of Preparation

My father used to always tell me, "Yours is not to ask how or why but only how high!" That little message, on which I grew up is as true today as it was then. We need to get ready and always be ready for the return of Jesus Christ.

We should always seek humbleness, love, and righteousness. Righteousness unto our King. Seek what is right and gain wisdom in to the ways of the Lord. Pray for wisdom and Godly perception in all things. Pray for the desire to do God's will, always. I pray that God grant you and your family peace during the wonderful times of the Labor Day weekend.

Joel 3:11

Assemble and come, all you nations, And gather together all around.

Joel 2:28 - 30

"And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions.

And also on [My] menservants and on [My] maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

"And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke.

The Shoes that we Walk in

Today, at church, the message was about shoes and the lives we all walk within our shoes. Christians should be different than non-christians based on their desire to love, to give, and to help, and to promote. An interesting question came about through the di-section of Christian people who proclaim their faith but choose not to share it. How much would you have to love or to hate someone to make a decision about sharing your faith with them?

The answer is obvious. We, as Christians, should share our faith with everyone. Our faith is not about us; but rather about God and what He can do with us (through us). We should be proud of the fact that we can be used by God, the creator of everything that is.

I ask you: what does Jesus and the cross mean to you?

This question began a question and answer process in my own mind wondering if our football program is turning out great Christian men, as our mission statement pronounces, or are we merely turning out good people because we stand for good things, such as hard work, dedication, teamwork, and Godly decisions?

God wants us to ask ourselves, and Him, tough questions. God wants us to seek Him for guidance and for answers. God wants us in our entirety, all of our lives, all of our thoughts, all of our desires, and all of our questions.

We; (you, me, our program, everyone), must all live a life as a Christian with the knowledge that we can not be successful without Him in our lives. He must lead, He must guide, He must instruct, He must provide, and He must take away.

Our program will produce Great Christian Men, if God is in control, if God is our leader (for all things), and if everyone involved in the program maintains the perception and the truth that God is the foundation of all that we do, teach, and maintain.

Allow God to lead your path!

The hardest thing I've ever done was to allow God to lead my life. Not a little, but totally lead my life. As an athlete I learned that through training and hard work I could excel, but I didn't learn about things I could not do by myself. I thought that there was no end to my ability if I worked hard enough. Life has taught me otherwise. As a Christian I have found that "all things are possible when, and only when, God is in control." I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me. Phil 4:13

The Church and Faith

The Church, although we see a building, really is no building at all. It represents ones believe in what did, what is, and what will happen in the future. It represents the believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross, is living with you (beside you) in your life now, and Jesus Christ will reign on Earth in the future.

The church sends a message to all that look on it, that we believe in God, the creator of all things, and ruler of our lives.

The one thing that the church doesn't represent is our own personal Faith in those foundational beliefs. We must show to the world our level of faith that is within us, by how we live, by what decisions we make, by what words we speak, and by how we live our life.

Daniel 3 The Story of Shadrack, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, showed to all, what our faith should look like and it also proved what having faith can save us from.

What it did not essentially show us or tell us about, was how to obtain faith of that magnitude. Strong faith comes from a relationship and a strong relationship comes from knowing. We must seek and find closeness to God's heart, His ways, and His plans for our life.

God's desire is success in all that we do; (including football). We, as a group, must seek the Lord's will. He will bring about success if our Faith is strong, unwavering, and absolute.

I pray FAITH into your family, your personal life, and into all that you, I, and we do as we strive for closeness to God during this day!

Amen

Teaching Football Players about Christ

It took me 45 years to find exactly what it is that I am supposed to do with my life. It took many years to transform, to learn, to get ready for what God had for me all along, and to totally commit to the calling on my life. I am a servant, and am blessed to be just that.

2 Timothy 4:2 - 5

Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;

and they will turn their ears away from the truth.....

But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry.

Things that might surprise you!

Do you know why the Bible is called the living word?

The words that have been written never change but their

meaning change provoked by what God wants to say to you,

based on what is going on in your life.

It is very interesting that I, or you, can read the same passage

at different points in our lives and the passage may actually

say different things. The Bible speaks to your soul and to your

Heart, if you let it. We must open the door.

I get surprised everyday, when I read the Bible. Things are in

there that just surprise me. Did you know that the Bible reflects on athletes and athletics? Yea, it surprised me too!

2 Timothy 2:5 ...if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to

the rules.

Competition and doing things the right way

"Do it right the first time.......every time" is a phrase I came up with the hard way. I learned as a high school football player, in the middle of two-a-days, that life was much easier if I gave full effort the first time (and did a task well) rather than making myself think I was tired and hot and thus deciding to not give full effort the first time and having to repeat the drill many times.

This is one of life's lessons that football can teach.

God wants us to get it right also. He has grace for us when we fall short of the expectations, urges us to keep on trying, has great delight in our success, and He will always be there for us.

Hebrews 13:5

Delight in having a relationship with Him and have faith in Him, always!

You are Special

You are special in the eyes of the Lord. Just as the lost lamb is rescued by his master so does the Lord rescue us.

At Eagle football, we pray together, we play together, we love and care together, and we become one in Jesus together. The prayer of Jabez rings loud as kids are mentored each and every day, and are taught that "I can do all things through God who strengtheneth me".

Phil. 4:13

If you are looking everywhere for positive influences for your son or daughters life, give us a call. We would love to talk to you!

Coach Thomas (502) 523-0869

The Eagles Nest