Eau Claire
Memorial
Football
Handbook
2013
Welcome to the 2013 football season!
The coaching staff would like to welcome you and your family to the Memorial
Football Family.
The Old Abe Football Handbook has been developed to help answer any
questions that you may have about our program. It is intended to help build
better communication between coaches, players, and parents. Please read
through the Handbook with your athlete so all expectations and policies are
completely understood. If there are any questions regarding the handbook,
please contact me at pkling@ecasd.k12.wi.us or (715) 852-6462.
We are extremely excited at the opportunity to work with you and your family
and look forward to an exciting 2013 season.
Coach Kling and the Memorial Football Coaching Staff
Go Abes!
Eau Claire Memorial Football Mission Statement
Our mission is to foster an environment where academic integrity,
social responsibility, respect for others, and competitive athletic
excellence are highly valued. We feel by helping student-athletes
discover these traits they will develop the character needed to become
“Champions” not only in competition, but also throughout life.
CHAMPIONS-
character
humility
accountability
motivation
passion
Inspire
ownership
noble
selflessness
As High School Football players at Memorial:
We expect you to be ambassadors of Eau Claire Memorial High School and the Memorial
Football program. You will represent yourselves as CHAMPIONS in all that you
say and do.
The success of the team will come from the commitment and dedication that you have
for the team!
Team Expectations
Through all the excitement and challenges of participating in football, we cannot
lose focus on who we are and what our purpose is. In order to be successful
and to meet the challenges ahead, we must understand what is expected of us.
What the coaching staff expects of our student athletes:
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Enthusiasm (Be excited to do your best in everything!)
Being Positive (Help make people around you better, support your
peers.)
Hardworking (Be ready to dedicate yourself in anything you do.)
Respect (Treat others the way you would want to be treated, earn
respect.)
We believe that these expectations apply to the classroom, hallways, field,
sidelines, and our community. Our players and coaches are ambassadors of Eau
Claire Memorial High School and the Eau Claire Memorial Football program. We
will represent ourselves as champions in all that we say and do. Our
desired outcome is to become the best possible people we can be.
What you can expect from the coaching staff:
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Dedication
Organization
Consistency
Optimism
We believe that coaching transcends what happens on the field. We will focus
on building confidence and a belief in ones self. Our focus is teaching the game
of football in a positive manner and building a foundation based on teamwork.
All athletes will be coached in their techniques and fundamentals on a daily
basis. All students who participate in the Eau Claire Memorial Football program
are considered student-athletes. Each student-athlete has a role in the program
and each role is equally important to this program. This coaching staff respects
and cares that the student has made a decision to participate.
Eligibility
To be eligible to participate in Football, all athletes should have there required
information turned in from the Code signing meeting and your activities fee paid.
In addition, we will follow the Memorial Athletic and WIAA guidelines when
determining eligibility dealing with grades, code violations, and transferring
situations.
Please read the Athletic Code to understand eligibility guidelines!
Team Policies
1. Team Conduct
All players are responsible to contribute positively to the team. Any
player that disrupts team cohesiveness can be suspended or removed
from the team. Any unsportsmanlike behavior or unsportsmanlike
penalties can require game suspension or removal from the team.
2. School Conduct
All players are expected to contribute positively to school climate. All
players will be required to attend all class periods and study halls.
Unexcused absences will not be tolerated! Any player that
skips any class period or study hall can be suspended or
removed from the team. Refer to the athletic code for attendance
policies.
3. Grades
It is important that all athletes are passing there classes. The
coaching staff will periodically check grades to make sure there are no
problems. If grade problems are identified or a coach is notified by a
teacher of grade problems, the athlete will be required to get the
grade to passing before they can play in the next game. Athletes
ruled ineligible at the beginning of the season because of
grades will be required to hand in weekly progress reports
during the season.
4. Community
The Eau Claire community is excited to support Eau Claire Memorial
High School and this program. All players will be respectful of our
community. Any behavior that misrepresents our program can require
game suspension or removal from the team.
5. Code Violations
All Athletic code violations will be handled by the athletic department
and penalties will be determined by the athletic code. It is important
that any athlete that violates the code will have consequences.
Athletes must understand that the time missed serving a code violation
can affect playing time.
6. Practice/Attendance
As an athlete on the Memorial Football team it is expected that you
attend all scheduled practices and meetings throughout the season.
Failure to attend practice can result in missed playing time and/or
removal from the team. The head coach must be notified of all
excused absences by a parent or guardian. PLEASE call, email or
give note directly to coach, do not pass message by athlete or
from another party!
We will use the following criteria to determine consequences for
missed practices and tardiness.
Missed practices/Tardiness:
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Family Emergencies- Death, sudden illness, birth, etc.
- Head coach’s discretion based on practices missed
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Family Outing- vacation, family trip, etc.
- No start and sit one quarter (playing time determined by
practices missed)
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School Function(not required)
- No start and sit one quarter (playing time determined by
time missed)
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For another sport
-no start and sit for 1/2 of a game
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Unexcused
-The following will be the criteria for unexcused absences:
1 Unexcused Practice missed – Conditioning
2 Unexcused Practices missed –1 Game
Suspension/Conditioning
3 Unexcused Practices missed –3 Game
Suspension/Conditioning
4 Unexcused Practices missed – Dismissal from Team
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Tardiness
- All players late for practice will be subject to penalties set
by the coaching staff. Persistent tardiness will result in
reduction of playing time and possible removal from team.
7. Injury
Football is a contact sport; therefore we deal with many different types
of injuries. It is important that if any athlete is injured a coach is
notified so the athletic trainer can be informed of the injury and an
evaluation can be conducted.
All athletes who are injured or recovering from injury will need a
doctor’s note or approval from the athletic training staff to practice. In
order to play after an injury, the athlete must practice two days
before any game. This policy is the same for all levels.
Team Levels
We have three levels of football at Memorial. Each athlete will be placed at the
respective level based on ability and grade level. We have a no cut policy at
Memorial so all athletes will be on a team.
VarsityThe varsity team will consist of mainly Seniors and Juniors, with
some Sophomores based on ability. Playing time is not
guaranteed. This is a VARSITY sport, there is a heavy emphasis
placed on competition.
Junior VarsityThe JV team will consist of mainly sophomores. Some juniors that
are not seeing significant playing time at the varsity level may get
playing time at the JV level. This will be determined by the coach
or coaches who will be on the team. There are times that a
Freshman with strong football ability will play at the JV level; this
will be determined by the Head Coach along with the JV and
Freshmen coaches. The JV team is great opportunity for athletes
to get playing time and is viewed as a competitive team that will
develop our younger athletes into future varsity players.
FreshmenThe Freshman team is composed of all 9th graders. There is a
strong emphasis on teaching football technique. All athletes will
get a chance to compete and playing time will be determined by
the coaches at that level.
Captains
Team captains will represent the Varsity Football Team. Two captains are
chosen at the Football Banquet and two will be voted on by the team at the start
of the season. Captains are relied on to communicate between coaches and
players and will need to provide necessary leadership and organizational duties.
Captains are not specific to seniors. There will be times when underclassmen
are voted captains by their peers. Any misconduct or broken team policy
can lead to the loss of the captain title. Coaches’ discretion is always used
when captains are determined.
Lettering
To earn a varsity letter, team members must participate the entire season and
contribute to the improvement of the team. In addition, all varsity athletes who
letter will have participated in a minimum of 10 quarters in varsity games
throughout the season. However, coaches always reserve the right to determine
varsity lettering based on their discretion, considering such factors as attitude,
work ethic, and behavior. All other athletes who do not receive a letter will earn
a certificate of participation if they complete the entire season.
Playing Time
Playing time is not a right, it is earned. Playing time will be determined based on
the position coach’s discretion. The position coach will work in collaboration with
assistant coaches, the coordinators and the head coach. Areas such as attitude,
work ethic, ability, and attendance will all play a part in a coach’s decision about
playing time. Also, the type of game plan for the week will be a major
determining factor of types of players needed for specific packages.
If an athlete questions playing time, we have developed the following steps to
help athletes understand their position and how they can improve:
STEPS:
Example- A player asks to speak to a coach " what can I do to get on the field
more"
1-Player / Position Coach Meeting
Player requests a meeting with his position coach
Position Coach will review:
Primary Review
Practice attendance.
How have you been practicing? What is your effort?
How is your attitude? Are you coachable?
Are you learning the plays? Do you know your assignments?
Watch film together
Grades, School attendance
Secondary Review
Contact Day Attendance
Pre-season workout attendance (Winter, Spring, Summer)
Voluntary participation in 7 on 7, open gym, football camps, champion
practices
Support Plan: (coaches will work with you to come up with a plan to support
you obtaining your goals:
Example:
Things to work on
a) “Fred” will come to practice on time
b) “Fred” will give more effort during drills (don’t quit in the middle of drills. Al
will hustle during the play (don’t stop until the whistle is blown)
c) “Fred” will meet with his position coach after practice for 15 minutes to watch
tape and review progress (positives and things to work on)
Support Plan Signature: Player & position coach signs Support Plan.
-Player is required to take the Plan home and explain to his parents what the
expectations are.
-Parents will sign and are welcome to write comments
-Position coach will update Coach Kling about meeting
Parent Policies
Communication is very important. Parents/Guardians should discuss all issues
with your athlete first, and then contact the team’s coach if necessary.
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No parent of a player should approach coaches before, during or
after a game to discuss an issue. This tends to be an emotional time,
it is typically best to go home, think, and communicate any issues the
next day or at the beginning of the next week.
Parents should discuss any issue/concern with their child before
contacting the coach or Athletic Director.
The athlete should then discuss any issue/concern with their
Position coach, who will then discuss it with the Head Coach.
If the issue/concern has not been resolved a meeting with the
athlete, parent/guardian, and coach/coaches will be scheduled.
If needed, the athletic director and/or principal will be involved in the
discussion.
Appropriate concerns to discuss with coaches:
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The treatment of your child, mentally and physically.
Ways to help your child improve.
Concerns about your child’s behavior.
Issues not appropriate to discuss with coaches:
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Playing time
Team strategy
Play calling
Other students/athletes
Recruiting
Some athletes that play high school football will have an opportunity to
participate in football at the college level. If any athlete is interested in looking
at playing at the next level, they need to let the coaching staff know and we will
do our best to help guide them with the process. Please understand High
School coaches have very little influence on college coaches’ decisions.
Much of the recruiting process occurs early in an athlete’s high school career and
through activities like camps and combines. If you have any questions about the
recruiting process please feel free to discuss it with the head coach or your
position coach.
Transportation
Teams will travel by bus to games. It is expected that all athletes will travel
together to games! All school rules apply when traveling. Players are expected
to take care of the bus and be courteous to the driver. On longer trips, the team
may stop for dinner on the way home players should bring meal money when
necessary.
It is also expected that athletes ride home with the team. However,
there are times when athletes can ride home with their parents or
guardian. In such cases all travel requests should be prearranged
through the athletic office and approved by the Director of Athletics.
Uniforms/Equipment
Players are responsible for the care of their football equipment. Any damaged or
lost equipment will result in a fine. Please refer to the equipment check out
sheet provided for the cost of replacement equipment. It is important that
athletes communicate with their coach if something needs to be fixed or
replaced. It is important that your uniforms are washed after each game.
Before washing please read and follow the directions on the label of the
uniforms. NEVER MACHINE DRY YOUR GAME JERSYS! I would like to also
emphasize that practice attire should be washed at least once a week. This will
help keep the odor in the locker room at a minimum and also help us maintain a
clean environment in the locker room.
Equipment needed:
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Workout apparel(shorts, T-shirts, and running shoes)
Practice Jersey
Football cleats (should be shoes that are mainly black)
Socks(All players must have long purple and white socks for their uniform)
Other miscellaneous items (gloves, McDavid pants, under armour, etc)
All other equipment will be provided by the football program and must be
returned at the end of the season or when a player chooses not to be part of the
team or is removed from the team.
Equipment Turn-in:
 All equipment should be returned on the designated turn-in day
 All equipment should be cleaned (especially game jerseys, game
pants, and practice pants) If not cleaned, a $10 cleaning fee will
be assessed to the athlete.
 If equipment is not returned a $50 fine will be assessed to the
athlete and a coach will collect the equipment from the athlete’s
locker.
Being Removed from the team or Choosing not to be on the
Team
If any athlete is removed or chooses not to be on the team, the athlete will be
required to meet with the Head Coach and his position coach for an exit
conference. Equipment return will occur at that time. It is important that
athlete’s communicate their intention for choosing to no longer be part of the
Football Program!
Athletic Participation Fee
This year athletes are required to pay a participation fee to be part of the team.
This fee is designed to help fund the sport your child is participating in during a
particular season. In no way does this fee guarantee playing time! The
fee only allows your child the opportunity to be part of a team. The fee for
Football is $200. The payment must be made at the Board Office on or after
July 1. If any athlete is injured or chooses not to be part of the team, requests
can be made for a refund. Please contact the Memorial Athletic Office to find out
the cut-off date.
Calendar/Schedule
Schedules can be found on the Memorial Football Webpage which can be
accessed through the Memorial website at www.memorial.ecasd.k12.wi.us
Coaches/Contact Information
Coaches:
Head Coach-
Paul Kling (pkling@ecasd.k12.wi.us)
Phone # - (715)852-6462
Varsity
Varsity
Varsity
Varsity
Varsity
Varsity
Varsity
Varsity
Al Sega
Kevin Thompson
Ben Ganske
Eric Traxler
Bobby Diaz
Steve Chronis
Drew Seveland
Ben King
AssistantAssistantAssistantAssistant Assistant AssistantAssistantAssistant-
Freshman Head CoachFreshman AssistantFreshman AssistantFreshman AssistantVolunteer Assistant-
Tim Burns (tburns@ecasd.k12.wi.us)
Derek Olson
John Samb
Matt Mabis
Derek Sabby
Athletic Director
Trevor Kohlhepp (tkohlhepp@ecasd.k12.wi.us)