TU team camp message from Coach Joe

Parents and players,

Let me give you a few words about the upcoming TU Team Camp and our preparation for it.

1) We will have practice next week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 4:00 -6:00 pm. It is important for players to make each practice if at all possible.

2) Every player must turn in parental consent, registration form and you must have a physical prior to camp. (If you played last year your physical is still good until August.) We are hopeful that Dr. Krautter may be able to offer physicals late next week but he has been out of town and we are not sure.

4) WHAT ABOUT STAYING IN THE DORM?
Each player can request his roommate but as coach, I will give final approval to all roommates for our players. Our team will all room together in the same general area of the dorm. We will have coaches' rooms placed at either end of the block of rooms for our team. The university dorm entrances are monitored by student/employees all night. Dorms are "locked down" at 11:00 and only one entrance is utilized (the one that is manned). The football program also provides supervision in the dorms via coaches and Graduate Assistants patrolling halls and space inside and out. Camp time is VERY structured with very little free time. There will be 2 practices the first day, 3 the second day and 2 the last day. After 2 practices, there is not much of a problem with the campers, especially, with the team's respective coaches riding herd. Players will be pushed hard and good and tired by night time.One of the additional values I place on this camp is the opportunity it gives us as coaches to get to know our players better and encourage them in becoming a TEAM. Our team will do everything together, eat, practice, meet, etc. I have been asked about interaction with players from other schools. It is certainly possible for our guys to meet athletes from other schools in the lobby of the dorm or cafeteria but our experience the past two years and in speaking with other coaches that have taken teams to this camp for the past 10 years, that doesn't happen much. Attending this camp has been a valuable part of our team's preparation as a team the past two years and I expect it to play that key role again this year. It is possible for a player to attend camp and not spend the night in the dorms. There is not a price break for doing so. If a player needs to leave for the evening it must be approved by the coach (me) and the camp director (Joe Walker) and they must be "checked out" by a parent.
There will be no college students or dorm residents in the dorms while we are there besides those who are participating in the camp. I know you know this but I should make the point that if your sons "look for trouble", they can certainly find it but as a coach and a parent I can assure you that the university will be diligent with security issues and takes it very serious having minors on campus. Further, I can assure you that our NOAH coaching staff takes seriously the responsibility of shepherding your sons while they are in our charge and will do our best to make the camp not only a positive experience football wise but positive in encouraging their hearts to go hard after the Lord Jesus Christ.

5) I understand that some players have conflicts that will prevent you from coming to camp. Some things are more important. I am fine with that. HOWEVER, this camp will benefit you and our team greatly. It is something as coaches we have put a lot of emphasis on. Your coaches have taken vacation days in order to be at camp. We have designated a significant amount of our budget towards attending this camp. We want you to attend. Please confirm that you are attending by Tuesday because we have to turn in a camp roster.

6) If you have any other concerns please let me know.

Coach Joe