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Welcome and Congratulations on your decision to join the Thunderbird Chief Football family. We understand that this is a big transition. Most freshmen football players have never played organized football before. With this in mind, our goal as a program is to introduce the freshmen to sound concepts and teach fundamentals and techniques that will make them successful. We believe in getting the most players as much playing time as possible at the freshmen level. Wins and losses are not our biggest concern (of course we would like to win), but rather giving the players the skills and understanding of what it will take to be a successful 4A varsity football player.
A great resource for information is the Thunderbird High School website, Thunderbird.guhsdaz.org. Click on “athletics”, then “fall sports” and then “football”. The website will be updated with important information, such as when to pick up gear and when practice begins. Much of this information will be distributed to the players in the weight room throughout the summer as well.
One of the first items I would like to talk about is the summer schedule. I have enclosed a copy of the current calendar for all levels. The incoming freshmen will only be lifting and conditioning on Monday through Thursday from June 1st through July 30. Freshmen will lift as a freshmen group only. The first week will be an orientation week where we will teach the correct way to perform each lift. At this level we are more concerned with proper technique rather than how much weight a player can lift. The weight room time for freshmen is from 7:30 – 8:30 on Monday,Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. These times change July 12. The weight room will be closed the week of july 5th. Please check the website summer schedule for more info. There is a $50 charge for the weight room to cover costs. If this poses a problem, please have your son see me, or another coach, to resolve the issue. I do not want a player to not lift because they cannot afford to. We will find a way to make it work. All other items on the calendar, such as the passing league games, are for either the JV and/or the Varsity. Freshmen are welcome to watch if they are interested.
In order to begin practice in August, a student must have a physical and a consent card filled out and turned into the office. This is called being “cleared” to play. Too many times a player will miss valuable practice time because they are not cleared. If a player cannot practice, they lose the opportunity to compete for positions and playing time. To help players be prepared and ready for the upcoming season, the Glendale Union High School District offers free physicals for current and incoming players (See flyer). If your child attends this physical and has the paperwork filled out and then turned in they are cleared for their freshman year to play any sport they choose. No matter if you choose to attend the free physical or if you have your child go to your doctor, please try to have all paperwork on file at Thunderbird by June 7th. Last year on the first day of practice we only had 12 out of over 50 freshmen cleared. We would like to try and avoid that this year. Thunderbird will be shut down from June 7th through July 5th.
Practice usually begins the week before school starts, but due to the calendar and the beginning of the season, freshman practice will begin the first day of school on August 9th. The freshmen coaches may decide to have practices the week before. Again, the players will be notified of this in the weight room and an announcement will be placed on the website. We may also do an emailing if we can get enough email addresses.
Our Booster Club, known as the Touchdown Club, has been continuing to grow and had a very successful year last year. The Touchdown Club is under the direction of Kristena Malmgren and Jeff Pugh. Please consider getting involved in the Touchdown Club to help provide your son with the most positive experience possible. The Touchdown Club has their own website located at www.tbirdfootballboosters.org. On Thursday, May 17th, there will be a parent meeting at Thunderbird for all parents of current of incoming players. Theresa has included a letter that provides more information regarding this meeting and the Touchdown Club.
Again, Welcome to the Thunderbird Football family. We look forward to four great years.
Sincerely,
Brent Wittenwyler
Head Football Coach
Thunderbird High School
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