RIVERTON HIGH SCHOOL
SILVERWOLVES FOOTBALL
Head Football Coach, Brent Hawkins
Dear Riverton Football Parents,
On behalf of the Riverton Football staff, I would like to welcome you to another exciting football season. It is a joy to have you and your son as part of our program.
In order for this season to be an amazing one, parental assistance will be needed! We will enjoy pasta parties, football games, and various activities as a program. I encourage you to be involved with these great traditions. All the work parents do for the program means a great deal to the players and the coaches.
As we advance into the 2015 football season, please keep in mind that high school football is an extremely competitive sport. As a staff, our philosophy is to play as many young men as possible. However, the players who work hard, are dedicated, and have natural ability will play the most.
As coaches, we see our players daily in practice and on game film. Thus, we are in perfect position to evaluate their performance and effort. Academic performance and proper demeanor, on and off campus, are also considered when evaluating players. No matter how players begin the season, there is always the opportunity to earn or lose a position throughout the season. Therefore, players must start strong, stay focused, and remain solid throughout the year!
If you ever have questions or concerns, please contact ME! Again, welcome to the Riverton High School Football program.
Sincerely,
Coach Brent Hawkins
VARSITY COACHES
Brent Hawkins - Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator, LB's
Joe Edman - Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line/Defensive Ends
Jim Edman - Football Operations/Defensive Line/Special Teams
Scott Linford - Offensive Line (T's/TE's)/Defensive Line
Bob Stephens - Running Backs/Passing Game Coordinator/Defensive Line
Josh Holt - Tight Ends/LB's/Special Teams
Mike Hutchings - Running Backs/DB's (Safeties)
Kris Jacobson - Wide Receivers/DB's (Safeties)
Alec McMorris - Wide Receivers/Defensive Backs (Safeties)
Eric Kimball - Quarterbacks/Defensive Backs (Corners)
Josh Bolding - Running Backs/Defensive Backs (Corners)
SOPHOMORE COACHES
Dan Melville - Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator, Offensive Line
- Defensive Coordinator, LB's
Devin James - Running Backs/Linebackers
Allen Jackson - Wide Receivers/Defensive Backs
Lance Hope - Quarterbacks/Defensive Backs
Matt Milkanen - Offensive Line/Defensive Line
Sam Rogers - Running Backs/Defensive Line
VARSITY COACHES
Brent Hawkins - Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator, LB's
Joe Edman - Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line/Defensive Ends
Jim Edman - Football Operations/Defensive Line/Special Teams
Scott Linford - Offensive Line (T's/TE's)/Defensive Line
Bob Stephens - Running Backs/Passing Game Coordinator/Defensive Line
Josh Holt - Tight Ends/LB's/Special Teams
Mike Hutchings - Running Backs/DB's (Safeties)
Kris Jacobson - Wide Receivers/DB's (Safeties)
Alec McMorris - Wide Receivers/Defensive Backs (Safeties)
Eric Kimball - Quarterbacks/Defensive Backs (Corners)
Josh Bolding - Running Backs/Defensive Backs (Corners)
SOPHOMORE COACHES
Dan Melville - Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator, Offensive Line
- Defensive Coordinator, LB's
Devin James - Running Backs/Linebackers
Allen Jackson - Wide Receivers/Defensive Backs
Lance Hope - Quarterbacks/Defensive Backs
Matt Milkanen - Offensive Line/Defensive Line
Sam Rogers - Running Backs/Defensive Line
RIVERTON FOOTBALL TEAM RULES
1. W.O.L.V.E.S. CREED COMMITMENT AT ALL TIMES -
A. Do what is right! (Represent the program with integrity/class).
B. Do the best you can! (Strive for excellence in all you do).
C. Treat others the way you want to be treated! (Respect for all).
* Never do anything that would embarrass your parents, your team, your teammate, your coach, or you!
2. HUSTLE - Run everywhere at practice and games, never loaf!
3. CHARACTER - (on AND off the field) - This includes showing respect for women, adults, those in positions of authority, AND not having any confrontations with game officials, opposing coaches, opposing players, and/or fans.
4. EQUIPMENT - Take care of all equipment, you are responsible for it.
5. ELIGIBILITY - All athletes must be enrolled in the equivalent of four core subjects, the quarter prior to participation, and during the quarter of participation.
Eligibility is determined by your fourth quarter grades.
Academically: You need a 2.00 or better G.P.A. and cannot fail more than one class.
We feel loyalty is a vital part of our program. Those who cannot abide by these rules will be dismissed from the squad.
Any player that becomes ineligible, quits, or is dismissed from the team, will forfeit any awards or honors they have received for the season.
TEAM PRACTICE RULES
All players are expected to comply with the following policies regarding attendance and tardiness. Failure to abide by these policies can be reason for dismissal from the squad.
1. Every player is expected to be prompt and attend every squad meeting, practice, and game (Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Sophomore.)
2. Tardiness will not be tolerated. If there is a reason that requires you to be late, it is your responsibility to notify a coach before that meeting, practice, or game.
3. No player is excused from practice, unless he has notified a coach, and received permission to miss.
4. If you are injured or unable to work out, you are expected to attend practice, meetings, and games and assist when possible.
5. If you are being treated for an injury, you are to report to a coach as soon as your treatment is finished.
*As coaches, we realize there may be times when you are unable to notify us due to certain circumstances beyond your control. In this case, it is your responsibility to notify a coach as soon as it is possible.
TRAVEL POLICY
All behavior on trips is a direct reflection on our school and team. Therefore, I expect the best. We are a first class football program!
1. Be on time to the bus (it will leave on time)!
2. There will be no loud music (headphones are okay) or loud talking on the bus. We want to concentrate.
3. No players leave the group without coaches permission.
4. No profanity, obscenities, or hanging anything out the windows of the bus.
5. All members of the Riverton High School Football team are expected to travel with the team, to and from games. This time is utilized for pre-game and post game meetings with the players. If an exception is needed, the parents need to contact Coach Hawkins at least three days before the game.
RIVERTON FOOTBALL LETTERING POLICY
1. Any player who participates in at least 11 different quarters during the varsity football games.
(Participation in just one play during a quarter, either scrimmage or kicking, will constitute a whole quarter of playing time).
2. All seniors.
A player must finish the season as a member of the team in good standings. Becoming ineligible, quitting, or being dismissed from the team, nullifies the award of a letter, as well as, any other opportunity for awards, certificates and honors regardless of prior accomplishments.
GIVING UP FOOTBALL
Any player giving up football and/or is dropped from the team is required to set up a meeting with Coach Hawkins and turn in all equipment and play book. Certainly, football is not for everyone. Therefore, the Riverton Football Staff will respect any player who comes to us directly and turns in his gear when leaving the team. If equipment is not turned in, the following will be owed.
Helmet = $ 300.00
Shoulder pads = $ 200.00
Pant pads = $ 40.00
Game pants = $ 45.00
Practice pants = $ 20.00
Game jerseys = $ 180.00 ($90.00 each)
PARENTS & ATHLETICS
The number one priority of parents should be that their children have POSITIVE AND PRODUCTIVE ATHLETIC EXPERIENCES. The responsibilities of parents seem to fall into two distinct areas: support and understanding. When parents lose sight of these prime concerns, problems can develop.
SUPPORT
Basic Support: Parents should do the best they can to help their children in the following areas:
A. Nutrition - Have them eat right to perform at their best.
B. Proper Rest - Sleep is essential and often neglected part of an athlete training/competition schedule.
C. Transportation - Provide or help arrange for rides to and from practices, games etc.
D. Time Management - Family, school, athletic, social and work responsibilities can become too much for a young athlete. Guidance in this area helps children remain focused on their personal goals.
Support by Caring: There are many ways for parents to show their children that they are truly concerned for them:
A. Always keep the child's best interests in the forefront.
B. Always be aware of the child's needs, feelings, and concerns.
C. Honestly assess the child's ability or potential and work to instill true confidence.
D. Always try to be interested in the progress and improvement of the athletes.
E. Attend as many of their games as possible. Obviously parents need to be there to support their children. They also need to be there to support the team.
UNDERSTANDING
A. Parents need to "understand" the role of interscholastic athletics.
1. Fun
2. Camaraderie
3. Fitness/Exercise
4. Lifelong lessons
-Self-discipline
-Hard work and Improvement
-Meeting challenges
-The value and power of team work
-Stress management
-Competitive Sportsmanship
B. Parents need to understand the various Points Of View of all involved (with the team).
1. The Point of View (P.O.V.) of their child (the athlete)
2. Their own P.O.V.
3. The P.O.V. of the other athletes and their parents.
4. The P.O.V. of the coach.
Note: Each group had a unique point of view . . . a different perspective of situations. Also, each group has its own role & responsibilities with respect to athletics.
C. Parents need to "understand" how to motivate their children to achieve their full potential.
1. Help to set realistic, attainable goals.
2. Be aware of the kinds of things that have positive (and negative) effects on the athlete and the team.
D. Parents need to "understand" the concept of being PART OF A TEAM:
1. The fragile nature of a team and its members (team chemistry)
2. Team attitudes - the idea that there is no place on a team for selfishness.
3. Team Success is based on the group effort. Individual achievements are fine as long as the team remains the number one priority.
PROBLEMS
A. Loud, obnoxious, unsportsmanlike behavior. Such actions are an embarrassment to the parents, their children, the school and to the community. They are unnecessary and not acceptable.
B. Becoming overly critical:
1. Of their children
2. Of the team or the players on the team
3. Of the coach
4. Of the referees or the game officials (griping and complaining is contagious, negative behaviors rarely bring about positive change!)
C. "Overstepping" or going too far - Parents simply are not responsible for
1. Game strategies
2. Program philosophy
3. Rating of other players
4. Evaluation of players, coaches, programs or officials.
TEN RULES FOR PARENTS
WITH ATHLETIC CHILDREN
1. Make sure your son knows you love him! Win or lose, scared or heroic, let him know you appreciate his efforts and will never be disappointed with him. This will help him to do his best without a fear of failure. Be the person in his life he can look to for constant positive reinforcement.
2. Try to be honest about your child’s athletic capability, his competitive attitude, and his skill level.
3. Be interested and supportive but don’t coach your son. It’s tough for a child to be overwhelmed with advice, pep talks, and frequent critical instruction.
4. Teach him to enjoy the thrill of competition. Let him know that improving skills and attitude are important. Help him to develop the feel for competing, working hard and having fun.
5. Don’t relive your athletic life through your child! This creates added pressure that your son does not need. Remember, we have all fumbled, lost games and have been frightened.
6. Don’t compete with the coach. Keep in mind that they are balancing the development of your child with the growth and progress of an entire athletic program and team. Often coaches have many considerations that are not obvious to parents.
7. Don’t compare the skill, courage, or attitudes of your child with other members of the team, at least within his presence.
8. Get to know the coach. Understand his philosophy, attitudes, ethics and knowledge in such a way that you are happy to have your child under his leadership.
9 Remember, young men tend to exaggerate when being praised and/or criticized. Temper your reaction until you investigate.
10. Make a point of understanding courage and the fact that it is relative. Some people can climb mountains but are afraid to fight. Others will fight but turn to jelly if a bee approaches. Everyone is frightened of certain things. Explain that courage is not the absence of fear, but means of doing something in spite of the fear or discomfort.
The job of an athlete parent is tough and takes a lot of effort to do it well. However, it is worth the effort when you hear your son say, “My parents really helped. I am lucky in this respect.”
