PARENT / PLAYER NEWSLETTER – JULY 22^ND

     WOW!  What a first week of conditioning!  This is the time that we find out what is inside you and how big your hearts are.  This is the most difficult time of the football season.  Some of you have been playing baseball all spring and summer but now you are getting a taste of what a real sport is like.  We condition you to ensure you are ready to play four quarters of football.  This is not the game you play with your buddies in the neighborhood.  This is a game where you have to be in shape and ready for war on the battle field.  To ensure we do not sustain casualties we must be in condition.

   I cannot emphasize enough the importance of being hydrated before you come to practice.  Our coaches will make sure you continue to stay hydrated but the key is preparation beforehand.  Parents, please make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids well before you come to practice.  This will ensure they are healthy during our rigorous conditioning schedule.

   KEY INFORMATION FOR THIS WEEKEND

·         Saturday, July 24^th – Official SVFL Weigh-Ins

o    Milsop Community Center in Weirton – BE THERE NO LATER THAN 10:45 AM

o    This is a mandatory event for all players.  If this is your first year with the Chiefs you will need your original birth certificate as well as a copy to place in your permanent league folders.  This is MANDATORY!  If we do not have your original and a copy at this event the league will not sign off on you to play.

o    Physical Cards – This is also mandatory!  We will be reviewing the cards to ensure they have been fully completed.  If they have not been you will be asked to complete it before your child can be signed off by the SVFL

o    Players that played for another team last year – You must complete a Player Waiver Form that we will have signed off by the team that you had played for last year.  This is also MANDATORY.

o    WEAR YOUR BLACK GAME JERSEY TO WEIGH INS. 

·         Sunday, July 25^th – Picture Day @ ICHS Football Field – ARRIVE BY 9:45!

o    Pictures of individuals and team will be completed on this day.  These will also be in our programs and on our website so it is important that everyone shows up regardless if you are purchasing pictures.

o    We will wear the following:  Game Pants (these are the black and red pants), black game jerseys, all pads (shoulder, lower pads, etc…) BLACK SOCKS and cleats if you have them.  DO NOT BRING YOU HELMETS!

o    This should only take between an hour to an hour and a half to complete.

     Next week’s practice will again be Monday through Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Mingo Practice Field.  We will practice in shorts and t-shirts.  WE WILL WEAR OUR HELMETS THIS WEEK.  DO NOT FORGET THEM at HOME. 

   There are still numerous individuals that have not paid their registration fees yet.  This must be completed before the Preview Game on Aug. 15^th.  If we do not have your fees your child will not participate in this great event. 

   We are also accepting Raffle Ticket Stubs and money if you have sold all of you tickets.  Remember, this is a contest and the team with the most sold gets a pizza party.  Deadline to turn in your stubs and money is August 26^th.  If you have not received your Raffle Tickets to sell please see a Board Member.

  As a reminder, one parent or guardian of each player must sign up to volunteer for either the concession stand, home game chain gang or ICHS Bingo Event.  The sign up lists are at the concession stand.  If you do not volunteer or do not show up for your designated time you will be fined $25.  This fee must be paid before your child will be permitted to participate in any further games.  This is not to penalize anyone.  This is to be role models for our children.  We will not take the $25 in lieu of volunteering, that is not the example we are setting for our youth!

   We have scheduled a Tag Day at Wal-Mart on Sept. 10^th.  If any player had not attended a previous tag day or the Long John Silvers Event you must sign up at the concession stand for a time.  If all time slots are full, please see a Board Member and they will assist you.

   Order forms for Mingo Chiefs T Shirts and window decals are available at the concession stand.  Deadline for ordering is Aug. 5^th.  We will not extend this deadline for we need to get the orders in so the shirts will arrive before our first game.

Jeff Campbell – IC/Mingo Chiefs President