Developing Outstanding Student Athletes

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Developing Outstanding Student Athletes
September 13, 2006 To: Returning Boys Hockey Players and Parents From: Coach Gibbons Subject: Developing Outstanding Student Athletes I want to thank you in advance for taking the time to read this rather long letter and consider participating in all aspects of helping your sons become contributing members of our community. I think most of you know, that I believe outstanding student athletes are those that are good/excellent students, above average in their physical and athletic skills, and last but not least good citizens. We have four programs that will all contribute in some way to developing good citizenship habits for your sons. The purpose of this letter is to communicate the details of these programs and my hopes for your participation.
Hockey Expo The first opportunity is the upcoming Eastview Hockey Expo taking place October 9th from 11:00a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This is going to be a fun event where the High School Boys and Girls Blue Line Clubs are working in conjunction with the Youth Hockey Association to provide the Eastview community with 3 hours of skating and other off ice events at the Eagan Ice Arena. This is NOT a fund raising event. The stated goal is to introduce the community all levels of our hockey programs and encourage them to participate as either players or as active fans. We expect a great turn out and a big part of the success will be having our players attending the event and taking an active role getting to know the community and most important showing the children a great time. More details are coming shortly and all of you will have many opportunities to participate. Please mark your calendars and plan to play an active role in the success of this new initiative.
Student Coaches All returning players and any new players after the season begins, will be asked to participate in the Eastview Student Coach Program. This program is intended to provide our youth hockey players and the student coaches an opportunity to share a passion for the game of hockey. The student coach’s work with EVHA will be critical to maintaining a positive image, improving player retention and establishing a strong program for the future. The goals for this program are:
1. Create a positive, constructive environment for the development of Eastview youth hockey players. 2. Stimulate a sense of community and pride that will flow all the way from beginner Mites to the high school varsity teams. 3. Provide assistance to Eastview association coaching staff. This includes running drills and demonstrations. 4. Interacting with youth players and encouraging a love of the game, good sportsmanship, fair play and fun.
Here are some program guidelines:
-The EVHA team coaches and manager will ensure that the team schedule and events are communicated with the student coach. -The student coach will be provided the teams website password to enable them to view team information and communications. -Provide on-ice assistance at practices, scrimmages and clinics. -Attendance at a minimum of 1 event per week, unless there are extenuating circumstances (Sick, Vacation, away tournament) -Must wear a helmet with full face shield, gloves and skates while on the ice. -Goalie student coaches are suggested that they full goalie equipment to assist with goalies a few times during the season. -Squirt/U10 level and below a game/other Eastview jersey should be worn. -Student coaches may not act as a Head Coach or an Assistant Coach during games or scrimmages. -May be on the bench during games with an adult coach. -Upon reaching the age of 18, the student coach must comply with the USA Hockey Screening Program.
Steve Longren will be heading up and coordinating this effort. Please complete the enclosed USA Hockey Student Coach Form and mail to Steve by October 1, 2005. After Steve receives your forms he will be working with me to assign each player to a team and get back to you with the necessary contact information for the appropriate coaches. As a general rule, we will be having the Senior players assigned to the Bantam age teams, Junior players assigned to Peewee teams, and so forth. If you have a request to help out on a particular team please let Steve know by attaching a note to the form. Here is Steve’s contact information: Steve Longren 14101 Brandbury Walk Minnetonka, MN 55345 Office: 952/945-0572 Fax: 952/945-9970 Cell: 612-961-4559 steve@longrenparks.com
Read with the Lightning
Guidelines for our Student Readers Thanks for being a part of our new program called Read with the Lightning. The goals of the program are: #1- Provide you with an opportunity to volunteer and give back to the community. #2- Project a positive image about Eastview Hockey and our High School students to our youth. #3- Provide you a method of receiving credit for your service hours. This can be used as you begin to pursue employment opportunities and more important apply for the college of your choice.
Sean Gibbons reading for the kids.	How do you get involved? Begin by looking at your calendar and picking day (s) and times when you are available to read. You should be thinking at least 7 –10 days out, so please plan ahead. The most likely times when you can read are: when the high school is off and the grade schools are still in session, the end of your school day, or if you have a study hall before or after lunch. In this case you can be excused from study hall for this activity. If you have a study hall 7th hour you can also be excused if you are going to read.
The next thing you need to do is contact Steve Longren with the following information. Date (s) and times you are available and which grade school you attended. Here is Steve’s contact information. The best method will be to call either: 612-961-4559 (cell) or 952-945-0572 (office) or 952-945-9894 (home) steve@longrenparks.com If you send an email please call to let him know so it doesn’t get lost in cyberspace!
Once you give Steve this information, it cannot be changed or cancelled. Please consider that fact that you are making a firm commitment as you review you calendars.
What happens next? Steve will contact the schools letting them know about your interest and available times. Once he matches you up with classes he will contact you. At least one day before you are reading #1- Contact Colin Longren’s mother Brigitte to pick-up the books and jersey you will be wearing. 612-619-0889 (cell) 651-686-2922 (home) 1700 Brant Circle, Eagan, MN 55122 She will ask you to leave a “deposit” of some sort so you have the incentive to bring back the jersey and books the day you read or the following day at the latest. #2- Plan to read each book at least once the night before.	Colin Longren reading for the kids.
The day you are reading #1- Dress accordingly. No hats. Plan to wear a jersey or on warmer days an Eastview T-shirt. #2- Arrive at the school at least 10 minutes before you are scheduled to start. Check in at the office and get a visitors pass. #3- Confirm with each teacher what the correct time is for you to end your reading session. #4- Have fun! The kids really do look up to you and will be very excited to have you as their guest. Here are a couple tips that will help make it fun for you and the kids. Introduce yourself and tell them a little about yourself. The grade you are in; where you went to grade school; sports you play; other hobbies you like. Ask the class what sports they play. As you read the book pause and ask the class questions pertaining to the story. Try to get the kids involved. #5- Return your visitor pass to the office and sign-out. #6- Return the books and jersey to Brigitte. How will you will get credit for reading? Simply contact Steve when you need a letter and he will have one sent to your home.
Supporting the Adaptive Floor Hockey Team Many adaptive athletes spoke or wrote what a thrill it was to have the boys and girls teams cheering for them last year. We will continue to support the team again this year by attending a game and cheering them onto to victory. I look forward to seeing all of you at the game this winter. More details will be provided after the season begins. Thanks again for your consideration. I look forward to getting all of your commitments to these programs by October 1st and seeing you at the upcoming Hockey Expo. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments on these programs. -Coach Gibbons

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