contents issue 12 • winter 2010

Coaching Commissioners Officiating

12 Art of rushing the passer 18 Registration for today’s youth 24 USA Football’s LeMonnier
Keys to QB pressure from NFL, high leagues referees Fiesta Bowl
school and youth football minds Leagues plan ahead, employ new tech- By Alex Fink
By Alex Fink niques to reach players & families
By Alex Fink 26 Meet a USA Football Member:
13 Quick-Hitter Grid Donnie Stitt
19 USA Football Regional By Alex Fink
14 Season in Rewind: Managers
Grant Brawith
USA Football Coach Member develops 20 How To Get The Most From
and excels Your Fundraiser
features
By Alex Fink By Tim Polzer 6 “Team USA vs. The World”
Game set for Jan. 30
15 What If? 21 Background checks give USA Football’s Junior National Team to
USA Football Coaching Members share peace of mind face the world’s best in South Florida
thoughts about selecting assistant League commissioners protect players By Michael Kuebler
coaches with help from USA Football & NCSI
By Alex Fink By Alex Fink inside slants
4 Kickoff
Health & Safety 22 Youth leagues capitalize on
USA Football State Forums 10 Meet a USA Football Staff Member:
16 USA Football shares testimony By Alex Fink Shedrick Taylor, Member Services Coordinator
with U.S. House Judiciary 11 What Football Taught My Son
Committee 23 USA Football’s Grants Program By Nicole Lukosius
Executive Director Scott Hallenbeck strengthens the sport in
represents youth football community 28 What Football Taught Me:
40-plus states Bill Hemmer, FOX News
By Michael Kuebler By Alex Fink
By Steve Alic
17 USA Football continues con-
cussion awareness education

Coaches honed their craft at USA Football’s

2009 Green Bay Coaching School, presented
by the Packers. Check out this year’s coaching
school schedule on pg. 10.
Photo by Scott LeVeque, usa football
Front Cover
photos by shawn hubbard
Kickoff
Dear Readers,
Welcome to the first USA Football Magazine to be delivered to you in a digital format.
To serve you better, your magazine now harnesses the full potential of the internet and
usafootball.com to keep you informed of your fellow members and USA Football news most
important to you.
Speaking of news, there’s plenty to cover here.
usafootball.com
Fresh in our minds are memories of another great season; memories made by you – youth
football’s coaches, commissioners, game officials, parents and players. As we know, there is
Executive Director
no off-season for those who power the sport on youth Scott Hallenbeck
and amateur levels. It’s time to get ready for 2010.
Our team of regional managers and our non-profit
office staff is inspired to make the upcoming season Usa football
your best to date. State Leadership Forums (pg. 22) are editorial staff
now underway. And registration through usafootball.com
for Coaching Schools and Player Academies is now open. Managing Editor
USA Football’s 2010 Junior National Team will face a Steve Alic
World Select team in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. on Jan. 30. NFL Contributors:
Network will televise the 12 p.m. ET game featuring top Brian Feener, Alex Fink,
high school-aged football players from nine countries Michael Kuebler, Bill LeMonnier,
spanning four continents. Check out pages 6-9 for more Scott LeVeque, Nicole Lukosius,
Tim Polzer, Shedrick Taylor,
on this exciting matchup within our growing global foot- Jimmy Thomas
ball community.
Our equipment grant program (pg. 23) awarded To contact USA Football: 
$1 million in new equipment and apparel to more than 800 youth and high school programs (703) 918-0007
in 44 states in this winter. USA Football’s subsidized background check program (pg. 21),
protecting our kids in the fight against sexual predators, has proven to be an invaluable
resource and continues to be available to every youth league across the United States.
This issue also holds insight on how to rush the quarterback from an accomplished USA traction media staff
Football coaching member, a high school coach, and an NFL defensive end (pg. 12). Read
ideas from commissioner members on how to improve a league’s registration (pg. 18). And Publisher
check out how USA Football is continuing to work for the sport’s betterment when it comes Rudy J. Klancnik
to player safety through CDC-approved concussion awareness and education measures Editorial Director
(pgs. 16-17). Tim Polzer

This and more awaits you in the pages ahead. Designer

william Bridgeforth
And like a sure-handed receiver who’s always open, USA Football’s regional managers
and office staff is ready to serve you. Contact your regional manager (pg. 19) and ask how
Traction Media
he can help you gain an edge or strengthen your league. In addition, you’re only a toll-free Editorial Offices
call (1-877-5-FOOTBALL) or a mouse click away (usafootball.com) from our member services 7115 Tartan Trl.
department. Garland, TX 75044
All the best to you in 2010 and we look forward to seeing you at a USA Football event in the Tractionmedia@aol.com
months ahead.
Editorial Department Phone
(972) 896-8006
Sincerely,
Custom Publishing
(972) 898-8585

USA Football Magazine is published by

We want to hear your thoughts
about USA Football Magazine. Write to us
Scott Hallenbeck
at magazine@usafootball.com today.
USA Football Executive Director
Traction Media, LLC©. All rights reserved.
Traction Media does not accept unsolicited
manuscripts. Publisher assumes no
responsibility for return of unsolicited
manuscripts or art. No part of this magazine
may be reprinted or otherwise duplicated
without the written permission of the editor.

4 USA Football Magazine

 U S A F o o t b a l l’ s
Team USA vs. The World
Game set for Jan. 30
USA Football’s Junior National Team to face the world’s best in South Florida
By Michael Kuebler
New faces, same goal.
A fresh crop of 45 high school seniors will don the red, white,
and blue for USA Football’s second Junior National Team.
USA Football’s hand-picked roster follows
in the footsteps of the team that won the gold
medal in the eight-nation 2009 International
Federation of American Football (IFAF) Junior
World Championship in Canton, Ohio, this past
summer. The 2010 squad looks to prove itself
against a World Select team this time around in
USA Football’s “Team USA vs. The World” game,
presented by Riddell in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., on
Jan. 30 at 12 p.m. ET.
The game will be nationally televised by NFL Network with Rich
Eisen, Deion Sanders, and Scott Kennedy calling the action.
USA Football’s roster is composed of America’s best high
school senior football players who also demonstrate charac-
6 USA Football Magazine
ter befitting a USA Football national team.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said North Bro-
ward (Fla.) Prep running back Ethan Grant to the South Flori-
da Sun Sentinel. Grant has verbally committed
to play at TCU next fall. “This is a chance to
represent my country and show what we have
to offer in football as a whole.”
“I’m looking forward to competing with the
best,” added Hollywood Hills cornerback Tony
Grimes, who is considering scholarship offers
from Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State,
Oregon, and other schools. “It’s pretty exciting
to be able to represent your whole country
and see players from around the world. I’m excited.”
USA Football’s roster consists of young men who will play
in nine collegiate athletic conferences next season.
In light of the athletic achievements of Team USA’s players,

NFL Network to Broadcast
“Team USA vs. The World” Game
When USA Football’s “Team USA vs. The World” game,
presented by Riddell, kicks off at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday,
Jan. 30, NFL Network will be there to televise it live from Ft.
Lauderdale’s Lockhart Stadium.
NFL Network is the only television network dedicated
exclusively to the NFL and to the sport of football.
As an official NFL Pro Bowl Week event, USA Football’s
“Team USA vs. The World” game will be on after the AFC and
NFC All-Star morning practices on Jan. 30 held in Lockhart
Stadium.  Following the “Team USA vs. The World” game, NFL
Network will have the Senior Bowl game live at 4:00 p.m.
ET. The Pro Bowl will be played on Jan. 31 at 7:20 p.m. ET in
South Florida’s Dolphin Stadium.
– Michael Kuebler
Grant’s and Grimes’ comments point to the fact that “Team
USA vs. the World” is more than just another game. Wearing
“U-S-A” across their chest means something greater and
requires more than on-field talent.
Team USA athlete selections are based on the values of
teamwork and leadership as well as athletic ability. Roster
selections are made by USA Football and its coaching staff,
headed by Chris Merritt of Miami Christopher Columbus High
School. Merritt served as the defensive backs coach of USA
Football’s 2009 team and owns a 79-22 (.782) record as head
coach at Miami Columbus. His staff is composed of eight high
school coaches from five states.
“These young men were hand-selected to represent our
country as elite athletes and exceptional ambassadors,” said
USA Football National Teams
ready for 2010
USA Football will further strengthen its international
presence by fielding several national teams in 2010.
USA Football joins the International Federation of
American Football (IFAF) and its other 56 national
federation members on five continents to advance and
grow the sport’s burgeoning international popularity.
The following teams will be assembled for interna-
tional play this year:
• USA Football Junior National Team (January)
• USA Football Women’s National Team (June-July)
• USA Football’s Youth National Team (July)
• USA Football Men’s Flag National Team (August)
• USA Football’s Women’s Flag National Team (August)
Stay tuned to www.usafootball.com for more in the
months ahead.
Merritt of those selected. “They have garnered dozens of
individual honors at their respective high schools, but those
won’t help us on January 30.
“We will prepare diligently for a very talented World team. I
look forward to putting our preparation into action at Lockhart
Stadium at the end of this month.”
What awaits Team USA on January 30 is a World team
composed of 45 of the best players aged 19 and under from
outside the United States, spanning eight countries on four
continents. Jan Jenmert of Sweden will lead the World team
with a staff of coaches from 11 countries.
“USA Football shares in the enthusiasm for January’s game
with the dozens of national football federations across the
globe,” said USA Football Executive Director Scott Hallenbeck.
“This is a significant event for the sport’s continued interna-
tional popularity and it will be an incredible experience for
our players and coaches to represent the United States in
America’s favorite game.”
Follow USA Football’s “Team USA vs. The World” game and
the events leading up to Jan. 30 at www.usavworld.com.

Lockhart Stadium history grows on Jan. 30

USA Football’s “Team USA vs. The World” game will be held in Ft. Lauderdale’s legendary Lockhart Stadium on Jan. 30.
The historical 50-year-old venue’s intimate seating arrangement brings fans on top of the action. Lockhart has
showcased premier high school football games for decades, including Broward County’s All-Star Football Game and
high-profile matchups such as this past October’s game between nationally-ranked No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown be-
tween Ft. Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas and Byrnes (S.C.).
The recently-renovated 50-year-old stadium holds 18,000 fans and is the football home of Florida Atlantic Univer-
sity, Dillard High School, and Ft. Lauderdale High School.
– Alex Fink

7
 USA Football’s 2010
Junior National Team

#72 • C #70 • C #53 • LB #23 • S #7 • WR #6 • WR #17 • LB #76 • OT

Jake josh Demetre Corey shawn Anthony Steele Andrew
Alexander allen Baker Cooper corker Creecy Divitto Donnal

#8 • WR #62 • OG #2 • WR #3 • RB #10 • RB #25 • CB #88 • TE #32 • LB

Quinton Dan Sam Jakhari Ethan Tony Michael Tommy
Dunbar Foose Gagliano Gore Grant Grimes Hartvigson Heffernan

#31 • PK #26 • CB #44 • LB #71 • OT #4 • S #59 • DT #28 • CB #5 • WR

ben josh Mike Kody Bryant Jordan richard Keiwone
hopfinger huff Hull Innes Jackson Johnson leonard Malone

#24 • CB #42 • DE #33 • DE #39 • TE #73 • OT #18 • QB #30 • CB #75 • OG

Tyrann Zack Jordan kendall Mike Mark keion Colin
Mathieu McCray McDonald montgomery Moudy Myers payne Porter

#9 • WR #92 • DE #77 • OG #36 • DE #78 • T #66 • OG #11 • QB #40 • LB

Josh lebranden nick thomas kevin Adam Tyler A.J.
Reese richardson rowland ryan schloemer Shead Smith Tarpley

Kirk Heidelberg, Offensive Telly Lockette, Wide Receivers

Coordinator/Line Pat Murphy, Defensive Backs
Coaches

Gabe Infante, Defensive John Roderique, Linebackers

Coordinator Rich Stuart, Running Backs
Harold Barnwell, Defensive Line Steve Walsh, Quarterbacks

#1 • S #22 • RB #41 • LB HEAD COACH

Titus Dontae Travis chris
Till Williams Williams merritt

8 USA Football Magazine

 2010 World TEam

#45 • DL #87 • WR #42 • LB #83 • WR #24 • RB #7 • QB #40 • LB #10 • DB

Mehdi Alex Marcus Julian Guillame Brandon JOVANNI Soonbum
Abdesmad Anthony Babic Bailey Bourassa Bridge CARRILLO Cha
canada canada canada canada canada canada mexico canada

#31 • LB #8 • K #12 • QB #33 • DB #15 • WR #94 • DL #77 • OL #68 • OL

Beck Tyler Jeremi Mike Shoma Elias Danny Dillon
Coulter Crapigna Doyon-Roch Dubuisson Endo Groon Groulx Guy
american samoa canada canada canada japan sweden canada canada

#34 • RB #75 • OL #6 • RB #21 • DB #26 • DB #74 • OL #44 • LB #85 • WR

Jeff Ben Hampus Dylan Scott Sebastian Tavita Jerit
Hassler Heenan Hellermark Hollohan Janz Johansson Katina Lambert
canada canada sweden canada canada sweden american samoa canada

#95 • DL #3 • RB #36 • DB #22 • DB #4 • LB #11 • LB #76 • OL #89 • OL

David Steven Cody Yudai Jerod Byron Perez- Cam Jacob
Lee Lumbala Lynch Maruyama McCrory Archambault Redl Ruby
canada canada canada japan canada canada canada canada

#5 • WR #52 • LB #93 • DL #78 • OL #32 • FB #84 • WR #37 • DB #9 • LB

Thomas Tyler Joel Matt James Adam Cameron Christian
Ruiz Sawyer Seutter Sewell Sifakis Thibault Wade Walcott
france canada canada canada canada canada canada canada

Masato Itai, Offensive Salomon Solano, Defensive Line

Coordinator Shinichi Takeda, Defensive
Coaches

Warren Craney,Defensive Backs

Coordinator Niclas Carlson, Strength &
Oliver Moret,Special Teams Conditioning
Greg Marshall,Offensive Line Rick Sowieta, Team Manager
#49 • DL #54 • DL #81 • WR HEAD COACH Marco Iadeluca,Running Backs
Bjoern Jesse Jumpei JAN
Werner Williams Yoshimoto JENMERT Peter Tos,Tight Ends
germany australia japan sweden

9
 Meet a USA Football staffer
Shedrick Taylor member services coordinator
What are your responsibilities as a
member services coordinator?
I take care of our members through
constant communication on the
phone or over email along with many
behind-the-scenes responsibilities. I
compile reports and member feedback
on our resources, coaching schools,
and other USA Football events. I also
field calls and emails from people who
need help registering for an event or
who wish to upgrade from a Certified
Coaching Education Program (CCEP)
user to a full member.
What is your favorite part of the job?
I enjoy talking and working with our
members from all over the country.
I get to learn how each part of the
country handles different scenarios
and concerns.
What does football mean to you?
Football means teamwork and dedica-
tion. It’s arguably the only sport of the top
USA Football kicks off its ambitious
2010 Coaching School schedule on April
10. In addition to gaining a coaching edge,
attendees also receive lunch, a USA Foot-
ball Coaching School Tee, and a gift bag.
Every USA Football Coaching School
features a keynote speaker. Past speak-
ers have included New England Patriots
Head Coach Bill Belichick, Pro Football Hall
of Famer Fred Biletnikoff, Atlanta Falcons
Head Coach Mike Smith, and College Foot-
ball Hall of Fame linebacker Chris Spielman.
Seats are already moving fast, so
reserve yours today.
10 USA Football Magazine
Shedrick Taylor
four sports where an individual cannot
typically single-handedly win or lose the
game. It’s about team: offense, defense,
special teams, and coaching. Depending
on how each of these components func-
tion, it will determine the team’s success.
What kinds of things do you do in
your spare time?
I really enjoy working out and play-
ing sports. I am also pretty active in
my church and its activities as well.
USA FOOTBALL COACHING SCHOOL SCHEDULE
DATE LOCATION
April 10 Northern Virginia (Washington Redskins)
April 17 Sacramento, Calif. (Granite Bay H.S.)
April 17 Des Moines, Iowa
(Valley Southwoods Freshman School)
April 17 Indianapolis, Ind. (Indianapolis Colts)
April 24 Baltimore, Md. (Baltimore Ravens)
May TBD Charlotte, N.C. (Carolina Panthers)
May TBD Raleigh, N.C.
May 1 Foxborough, Mass. (New England Patriots)
May 1 Green Bay, Wis. (Green Bay Packers)
May 1 Paisley, Fla. (All-Star Sports Complex)
May 1 Santa Clara, Calif. (San Francisco 49ers)
May 8 Los Angeles, Calif. (Notre Dame H.S.)
May 8 Omaha, Neb.
(University of Nebraska-Omaha)
May 22 Columbus, Ohio (Dublin Scioto High School)
May 22 San Diego, Calif. (San Diego Chargers)
May 29 St. Louis, Mo. (St. Louis Rams)
June TBD Tampa, Fla. (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
June 12 Ann Arbor, Mich. (Pioneer H.S.)
June 17 San Diego, Calif.
(San Diego Hall of Champions)
I enjoy hanging out with friends and
spending time with my wife.
What is one thing that most people
do not know about you?
I’ve lived in five states (Ga., Kan.,
Minn., Texas, and Va.). I grew up in
Minnesota and traveled and lived back
and forth to see my father and mother.
My mother was in Minnesota and my
father was in Dallas and Austin. My
dad then got a job transfer to Atlanta
and we all moved there. I graduated
high school in Minnesota and went to
college in Lawrence, Kan., at the Uni-
versity of Kansas. I now live in Virginia.
What do you aim to accomplish in
2010 for USA Football members?
I look forward to continuing to help
upgrade our member resources, make
photo by Brian Feener
sure that our members get the high-quality
service they deserve, and find even more
ways that USA Football can be efficient
and productive for the sport’s benefit.
DATE LOCATION
June 19 Atlanta, Ga. (Atlanta Falcons)
June 26 Seattle, Wash. (Seattle Seahawks)
July 10 Phoenix, Ariz. (Desert Vista H.S.)
July 17 Kansas City, Mo. (Kansas City Chiefs)
July 17 Oakland, Calif. (Oakland Raiders)
July 24 Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Vikings)
TBD Chicago, Ill. (Chicago Bears)
TBD Cleveland, Ohio (Cleveland Browns)
TBD Dallas, Texas (Dallas Cowboys)
TBD Denver, Colo. (Denver Broncos)
TBD Houston, Texas (Houston Texans)
TBD Long Island, N.Y.
TBD New Orleans, La. (New Orleans Saints)
TBD East Rutherford, N.J. (New York Giants)
TBD Florham Park, N.J. (New York Jets)
TBD Philadelphia, Pa. (Philadelphia Eagles)
TBD Pittsburgh, Pa. (Pittsburgh Steelers)
TBD Nashville, Tenn. (Tennessee Titans)
*For the most up-to-date USA Football Coaching
School schedule, click here.

What Football Has
Taught My Son
B
illy Hampton is a youth
football veteran.
The 13-year-old has
eight seasons of America’s favorite
sport under his belt, having played
two years of flag football and the
past six seasons with the Football
and Cheer Club of Johnson County
(FCCJC) in
Kansas. His
little brother,
Tony, is
making his
way through
the program
as well, and
their father is
the league’s
secretary/
treasurer.
Billy’s mother,
Angele, doesn’t miss a minute of the
action either, taking on the role of team
photographer for the FCCJC Falcons.
Angele says that youth football is
about lasting friendships, teamwork and
perseverance. USA Football Magazine
recently spoke with Angele to learn more
about what football has taught her son.
When did your son start playing
football and how did he get started?
Billy started playing football at age
5 with flag football. He’s always been
athletic, active and busy playing outside
Courtesy of the Hampton Family
with one ball or another. My husband (Bill
Hampton) and I believe that organized
sports help keep children out of trouble
while teaching them valuable life lessons,
therefore, we wanted that for our boys
(Billy 13, Tony 8). They enjoy sports so
much and have decided to keep up with it.
Presented by:
By nicole lukosius
Angele and Billy Hampton
What does your son enjoy most
about playing football and why has
he stuck with it?
Billy enjoys the personal and team
challenges that come with football, and
he also enjoys doing what he is pas-
sionate about – and that is football. I
think he sees that if you’re passionate
about something, you’ll be great at it no
matter what. You may not be the best
on the team, but if you’re passionate
about what you’re doing, you’re going to
shine like you’re the best player and be
successful at it.
Why is it important to you as his
mother to be involved with his youth
football experience?
Being involved in the boys’ sports
gives me the best seat in the world! To
watch them grow and mature through
the life lessons football can give … to
be a part of something so profound
and great and to be supportive in
what they are passionate about is
what it’s all about.
What has football taught your
son?
Billy has developed from a
strong little boy to a respectful
young man all while making last-
ing friendships and I’ve observed
my youngest become stronger
and more confident. Seeing
Billy grow through that time has
taught him loyalty, perseverance,
sportsmanship and to respect his
elders and his teammates. Billy’s
also been a team captain for each
of the past eight years. This has
taught him how to be a role model on
and off the field.
How have other aspects of your
son’s life been positively affected by
playing football?
Football has taught my son to be
confident in the preparation he’s taken
and that preparation and hard work
are not always the key to a successful
turnout – you lose some and you win
some. It’s what you learn along the way.
It’s knowing even though he gave 110
percent, it doesn’t mean a sure thing.
Billy has applied this to every aspect
of his life. He has also learned about
loyalty to someone or something other
than himself.
USA Football is the official youth foot-
ball development partner of the NFL, its 32
teams and the NFL Players Association.
Learn more about football fundamentals
and values at usafootball.com.
11
 Art of rushing the passer
Keys to QB pressure from NFL, high school and youth football minds
By Alex Fink
E
very defensive end
Coaching
will tell you that once
he beats his man and
the only thing standing be-
tween him and a sack is an
unsuspecting quarterback,
there is no other place they
would rather be.
Health & fitness
Chicago Bears defensive
end and NFL all-star Adewale
Ogunleye is among the NFL’s
best at putting pressure on
the quarterback. Midway
through the 2009 season, Adewale Ogunleye, Chicago Bears DE
Ogunleye has accumulated
65 career sacks and has been a con-
commissioner
stant headache for opposing offensive
coordinators week in and week out.
“Each play, you have to just go with
all your heart and soul,” said Ogunleye. tion a dummy (use two to avoid head
“You have to be relentless. You never
know when a sack is going to come, so position and have the players compete
every down you have to play like that
is going to be your opportunity.
“Having a good takeoff is the most
officiating
underrated technique a good pass
rusher needs to have. I think people
don’t really realize that good
pass rushing begins with
your take off. You don’t have
to be very fast to be a great
pass rusher, but getting off
the ball is essential.”
USA Football coaching
member Michael Koenig,
coach and a founding board Michael Koening
member of the Omaha (Neb.)
STORM, echoes the importance of a
solid burst off the line of scrimmage
and offers his proven techniques
and drills to successfully get to the
quarterback.
12 USA Football Magazine
“I will often use a blocking dummy
as a tight end and align cones to
ensure proper depth and angles for the
rush,” Koenig explains. “I will also posi-
to head collisions) at a five step drop
to see who can get there first.
“Children need visuals, so you need
to walk through the technique and use
cones and dummies for them to under-
stand the distance/depth.”
Gabe Infante, head coach
at Paramus (N.J.) Catholic
High School and defensive
coordinator of the 2010
USA Football Junior National
Team, also emphasizes the
importance of getting out of
your stance quickly.
“I think the most impor-
tant component for a youth
coach to focus on is ‘get-off’,” said
Infante. “There are two elements to a
great get-off – stance and trigger. The
stance we teach resembles something
closer to a track runner’s start than
a traditional football stance. 
That is because we want to
get up the field as quickly
as possible, and it is difficult
to do that with a traditional
shoulder-width stance.
“The second component, or
trigger as I call it, is all about
ball movement.  Ideally we
want to beat the offensive
player out of his stance.  We
believe keying the football for
movement gives us the best
chance.  It is a neutral stimulus
we believe is better than
keying our man’s movement.”
Infante points out that the most im-
portant thing a defensive end should
keep in mind once the ball is snapped
is actually not
thinking at all.
“His think-
ing or planning
should be done
before the ball
is snapped. He
Adewale Ogunleye photo by Bill Smith, Gabe Infante courtesy of Gabe Infante
should have a
plan or move Gabe Infante
he intends to
execute based on careful study of his
opponent and his own strengths. Focus
on getting to the quarterback entails
getting by the person assigned to pro-
tect him. Closing the distance between
you and the offensive player assigned
to block you is paramount.”
USA Football Coach Members: help
your defensive linemen get to the
quarterback – go to the Drills Library at
usafootball.com. Twelve of the more than
100 computer-animated drills found here
are dedicated to defensive line play.
 quick-hitter grid
With members in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, USA Football recently caught up with four Coach Members spanning the Heartland to
the West Coast. Below are their straight-ahead thoughts covering coaching, music, movies, and other topics of interest. Note that their Super Bowl
predictions were submitted during Week 8 of the NFL’s 2009 regular season.

Coach: Willie Reeves James McGoldrick Doug Whipple Jim Wormuth

Experience: 39 years 6 years 5 years 11 years
Team: Lexington Colts Santa Clarita Wildcats Greene County Rams Noblesville Elementary
Location: Lexington, Miss. Los Angeles, Calif. Jefferson, Iowa Noblesville, Indiana

Gutsiest call you’ve Three years ago in the
ever made: playoffs, we were tied 8-8
with 2:00 left and faced a
4th and 11 near midfield.
I called a halfback option
pass and it went for a
40-yard TD to win the game.
I’m saving it for Sitting a kid for getting
the playoffs detention. We set rules
to help the kids under-
stand that football is a
privilege and not the
most important thing
Starting the game with an
onside kick. We recovered
it and went on to win the
game.

Best Football Friday Night Lights Jim Thorpe: Remember The Longest
Movie: All- the Titans Yard
American

Favorite NFL player: Devin Hester Eli Manning Barry Sanders Walter Payton

Super Bowl Giants vs. Colts Steelers and Giants Vikings and the Minnesota vs. Denver
prediction: Colts (Denver to win)

Favorite USA USA Football Magazine Practice Planner Drills Library Practice Planner 
Football coaching
resource:

Favorite Coach Bobby Bowden Lou Holtz Kirk Ferentz Lou Holtz

(College or Pro):

Best thing about Working with youth Teaching football, but Helping kids understand Teaching
coaching: even more so, instilling the what it takes to be suc- the game of
values of sportsmanship, cessful at something football
character and family

Favorite musician The O’Jays The Clash Toby Keith Journey 

or group:

Skill or value most Confidence Patience and a quick Patience Leadership & Honesty
needed to coach: mind.

One player (past or Dick Butkus Walter Payton Brett Favre Dan Marino 
present) you’d like
to coach for a day:

USA Football offers resource-packed memberships to give coaches, game officials, youth league commissioners and players
an edge. Learn more at www.usafootball.com/register.

13
 Season in Rewind:
Grant Brawith
USA Football Coach Member develops and excels
Coaching

By Alex Fink

I
n just three short tinued their strong
Grant Brawith
years, Grant Brawith showing well into the
has taken his Tokay playoffs. Although his
Jr. Tigers of Lodi, Calif., team came up just
from a grassroots youth short in the league’s
Health & fitness

football organization championship game,

into a perennial power- Brawith was very
house. All four divisions proud of the progress
of his Jr. Tigers program he and his team had
finished the season made throughout the
above .500 and three of season.
the four reached their “Our organization as
division championship. a whole achieved great
commissioner

Before its incep- success and I’m proud

tion in 2007, Brawith
wanted to make sure his
organization was readily
equipped for both the short- and long-
term goals he had set in place. Win-
ning has become a natural byproduct
of doing things right.
“Our goal was to be committed to
officiating
early coaching years, Brawith admits
he’s come a long way in terms of
coaching skills and philosophy.
“I have a much better understand-
ing of how to coach-up and reach
of the way we finished
the season,” Brawith
said. “The players were
happy, the parents were happy, the
coaches were happy. The coaches are
already anxious for next season. They
all are asking if they can return and
when the next USA Football coaching

teaching our young student-
athletes to compete athleti-
cally at the highest level and
to strive to be a lifetime
learner in the classroom and
on the field,” said Brawith,
President of the Tokay Jr.
Tigers and Delta Youth
Sports Association League Grant Brawith
Commissioner. “I felt USA Football
shared those same values and they
have certainly helped me as a coach
and league commissioner.”
Brawith has been coaching for
seven years, three of those seven
as the Varsity Jr. Tigers’ head coach
(12-14 year-olds). Looking back at his
the kids than when I first
started,” said Brawith, who
resides in Lodi, Calif. (85
miles east of San Fran-
cisco). “I used USA Football’s
practice planner from the
website this season to orga-
nize my practices and also
implemented techniques
and drills I’ve gathered over the years
– some of which are from the USA
Football coaching schools.”
The Varsity Jr. Tigers started the
season strong with four victories in
their first five games. Coach Brawith
and his team finished the regular
season with a 5-3 record and con-
school is.”
As for Brawith, he plans to continue
his hard work well into the offseason
to ensure his team and league enjoy
the same successes for years to
come.
“I’m really looking forward to the
new USA Football Coaching School
schedule to be released,” Brawith said
(see page 10). “On top of attending the
coaching schools and other seminars,
I’ll be studying a lot of game film to see
what I can improve on in the upcoming
seasons.”
Join Coach Brawith as a USA Football
Coach Member or renew your current
membership here.

14 USA Football Magazine

What If?
USA Football Coaching Members share thoughts about
selecting assistant coaches By alex fink
Timothy Bunting
City, State: Columbus, Ga.
Youth League:
Columbus Youth
Indoor Football
League
Team: Steelers
(11-12 year olds)
Coaching
Experience: 3 years
Coaching turnover in youth football is a
common occurrence. Volunteer coaches’
work schedules may change year-to-year,
a family may move – numerous scenarios
may alter a team’s coaching staff. Three
USA Football coach members, all of whom
are youth head coaches, recently shared
their thoughts about how they would fill
positions on their staffs.
What if you are seeking a new as-
sistant coach? What are some things
you take into consideration during the
selection process?
Bunting: I believe that looking for an
assistant coach should start with his
or her character. If you don’t believe in a
coach as a person, you shouldn’t believe
in his or her philosophy or abilities as a
coach. A coach should have morals and
truly believe that the kids come first.
I believe that all coaches should have
no less than the USA Football Coaches
Certification (online CCEP course
completion), although some of the other
certifications are fine. I truly believe in
what USA Football is teaching.
Kelley: First, can they relate to the
kids? Have the coaches and kids had fun
Glen Kelley
City, State: Eden Prairie, Minn.
League: Eden
Prairie Football
Association
Team: 5th grade
Yellow (10-11
year olds)
Coaching
Experience: 5 years
when they coached or led other youth
activities? Second, respect for the game:
players, parents, fellow coaches and refs.
This can sometimes be hard to determine
right away but “hot heads” need not apply.
Third, they need to have passion for the
activity. As we often tell our coaches,
“Football is a great game, don’t screw
it up.” The passion indeed sometimes
means taking extra steps for the weak-
est player on the team. It can also mean
waiting for the 20-minute-late parent
picking up their child from practice.
Hess: I think the most important thing
to me in picking an assistant coach is
coaching philosophies. Ninety-five per-
cent of the people I have coached with
fully understand the game and know how
to teach X’s & O’s, but only 50 percent of
them have what I consider to be a good
coaching philosophy. The most important
thing at this level is teaching them how
to love football while you teach them
how to play football.  I told him, “No,” he said, “Bummer, can we
What if you were giving advice to
new coaches seeking assistants?
What would you tell them?
Bunting: A coach should trust his
instincts when looking for an assistant
Jamie Hess
City, State: Endwell, N.Y.
League: Maine
Endwell Youth
Football
Team: Blue Upper
(11-12 year olds)
Coaching
Experience: 6 years
coach. They should believe in what you
do and teach and be sure to not just take
a dad because he is your friend or that
his son is a beast on the field.
Kelley: Balance, Balance, Balance – if
you’re an offensive guy, get a defensive
guy (and vice versa). If you had play-
ing experience at a skill position, look
for someone that spent their time as a
lineman. Most importantly, look for an
assistant that will be complimentary to
your communication and coaching style.
Not all kids are motivated the same way.
Hess: I have coached now for six years
and have had 10-0 teams two of those
years. The first year I coached, it was a 6-8
year old team and we won our first five
games and our coaching staff thought we
would have an undefeated season. We lost
our sixth game and my whole coaching
staff and parents were heartbroken. My
6-year-old son came up to me after the
game and said, “Dad did we win?” When
stay a while so I can play with my friends?” 
His team went to the playground and
had a great time playing. That was a life
lesson for me on wins and losses, we as
parents get hung up on it.
15
 USA Football shares testimony with
U.S. House Judiciary Committee
Executive Director Scott Hallenbeck represents youth football community
Coaching

By Michael Kuebler
scott hallenbeck

T
he U.S. House Judiciary coaching course will be expanded
Committee held its second with new chapters on concussion
hearing on Legal Issues awareness, athlete hydration, and
Relating to Football Head Injuries equipment fitting. USA Football’s
on Jan. 4. USA Football Executive CDC-approved concussion
Director Scott Hallenbeck was one awareness policy helps coaches
Health & fitness

of 21 individuals invited to testify recognize concussion signs and

before the Committee, which
conducted the hearing in Detroit,
Mich., at the Wayne State University School of Medicine.
USA Football’s Hallenbeck is the only person who has
been called to represent the youth football community on
this topic in U.S. House Judiciary Committee hearings.
Those invited to give testimony on Jan. 4 included prominent
commissioner
symptoms and shares what to do if a
concussion is even suspected.
“All youth sports need to recognize the seriousness of
concussions and the need for further education among our
coaches, league administrators, game officials, athletes,
and parents,” Hallenbeck said. “We encourage other sports’
national governing bodies to join us and make a similar

professionals from the sports, medical, and science industries. commitment to our young athletes.”
Hallenbeck stated USA Football’s responsibility to the
youth football community and its work with the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in developing
and providing health and safety initiatives. USA Football
will emphasize CDC-approved concussion awareness
and management in 2010 through usafootball.com, its 85
events in 27 states, and its membership offerings serving
coaches, players, commissioners, and game officials.
officiating

“We lead the sport’s development and serve the youth

football community,” said Hallenbeck in his testimony. “A
critical part of that leadership is the health and safety
information we provide, including our work with the CDC on
concussion awareness.
“USA Football has worked with the CDC for more than
two years to share concussion awareness information
throughout youth football and we will do so with even
greater emphasis in 2010.”
USA Football’s coaching education curriculum helps
dedicated volunteer youth coaches know how to teach
blocking and tackling fundamentals, which can lessen the
chance of injury. USA Football’s equipment grant program
also makes football safer by awarding more than $2 million
worth of football equipment since 2006 to youth and high
school programs, based on merit and need.
By April of this year, USA Football’s 11-chapter online

16 USA Football Magazine

USA Football continues
concussion awareness education
T HEADS UP
wenty-six youth sports
organizations, including USA
Football, have worked with
the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) for more than
two years to educate the youth
sports community on concussion
awareness.
Continuing this practice for the
sport’s betterment, USA Football
is emphasizing this topic in 2010.
USA Football’s CDC-approved
concussion awareness policy
was created for youth leagues to
adopt. USA Football recommends
that every youth football league
– and every youth sports league
– employ such a policy. This
information is shared through USA
Football’s curriculum, events, and
resources.
Prevention and Preparation
for Coaches
(Primary Source: CDC)
1. Educate athletes and parents about
concussion
a. Talk with athletes and parents
about preventative measures,
symptoms, and proper action to
take relative to concussions.
b. Emphasize the dangers of playing
through a concussion.
2. Insist that safety comes first
a. Teach athletes safe playing
techniques and good
sportsmanship
b. Review the “Concussion Fact
Sheet for Players” found at
usafootball.com with players and
their parents
b. “When in doubt, sit them out” –
athletes with signs or symptoms of
CONCUSSION
IN D EPARTMENT OF H EALTH AND H UMAN S ERVICES
FOOTBALL
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
concussion must not return to play
ACTION PLAN
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Athletes who experience any of the signs and symptoms listed below If you suspect that an athlete has a concussion, you should take the
after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body may have a concussion. following four steps:
Signs Observed by
Coaching Staff
Symptoms Reported
by Athlete
1. Remove athlete from play.
2. Ensure that the athlete is evaluated by an appropriate health
care professional. Do not try to judge the seriousness of the
2. Ensure that the athlete
is evaluated immediately by
Appears dazed Headache or injury yourself.
or stunned “pressure” in head
3. Inform the athlete’s parents or guardians about the possible
Is confused about Nausea or vomiting concussion and give them the fact sheet on concussion.
an appropriate health care
assignment or position 4. Keep the athlete out of play the day of the injury and until an
Forgets an instruction Balance problems appropriate health care professional says they are symptom-free
or dizziness and it’s OK to return to play.
Is unsure of game,
score, or opponent
Moves clumsily
Double or blurry vision
Sensitivity to light
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
Emergency Medical Services
professional
a. Do not try to judge the severity
Answers questions slowly Name:
Sensitivity to noise Phone:
Loses consciousness
(even briefly) Health Care Professional
Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy,
Shows mood, behavior,
or personality changes
or groggy
Concentration or
Name:
Phone: of the injury yourself
Can’t recall events School Staff Available During Practice
b. Coaches recording the following
memory problems
prior to hit or fall Name:
Confusion Phone:
Can’t recall events
can help a health care professional
after hit or fall Does not “feel right” or is School Staff Available During Games
“feeling down” Name:
Phone:
January 2010
For more information and safety resources, visit
www.cdc.gov/Concussion or www.usafootball.com. WHEN IN DOUBT, SIT THEM OUT in assessing the athlete:
i. Cause of the injury and the force
Every coach who attends one of USA Football’s 37
of the hit or blow to the head
full-day coaching schools in 2010 will receive this
ii. Any loss of consciousness and if
clipboard sticker, created by USA Football and the CDC.
so, for how long
This same information, screened onto clipboards and
refrigerator magnets, will be distributed to league iii. Any memory loss or seizures
commissioners at USA Football’s 38 State Leadership immediately following the injury
Forums, spanning 27 states. iv. Number of previous concussions
(if any)
3. Teach athletes and parents that it is
not safe to play with a concussion 3. Inform the athlete’s parents/
a. Explain that it is not “courageous” guardians of the possible
nor does it show strength to play concussion & and give them the
with a concussion concussion fact sheet for parents
found on usafootball.com
4. Prevent long-term problems a. Ensure that parents know
a. “When in doubt, sit them out.” Keep the athlete must be seen by
athletes with known or suspected an appropriate healthcare
concussion off the field until an professional
appropriate health care professional b. Provide formal documentation of
clears them to return. Returning to the injury and notify the league
play must be a medical decision. commissioner
What a Coach Should Do When 4. Allow the athlete to return to play
a Concussion is Suspected only after an appropriate healthcare
(Primary Source: CDC) professional clears his or her return
a. A repeat concussion that occurs
1. Remove the athlete from play before the brain recovers from the
a. Look for signs and symptoms of first can slow recovery or increase
concussion if an athlete experienced the likelihood of having long-term
a bump or blow to the head problems
17
 Registration for today’s
youth leagues
Leagues plan ahead, employ new techniques to reach players & families
Coaching

By Alex Fink

T “We have successfully used

he off-season can ents and coaches with
be just as important information they need
as the actual season the technology to increase our when registration time
itself for youth football comes around.
registration by 10-20 percent a
Health & fitness

league commissioners. “In order to run

Commissioners now com-
monly prepare for league
year for the last five years.” a successful youth
football organization,
registration through innova- – Erick Heckman, Rockville (Md.) Football League President a commissioner must
tive strategies across the treat the club like a
country. and use their email distribution lists business and always follow the rule
League registration efforts have to reach prospective players. Once of the 5 ‘P’s (Prior Planning Prevents
been made even more productive by players become interested in playing, Poor Performance),” said Lott, who
commissioner

employing the internet. Email blasts, parents are directed to go online for has been commissioner of Indian
surveys and websites are some of the more information. Nations Football Conference for
more popular ways leagues harness “We have a very good registration more than 23 years. “I feel a new
this resource. primer on our website that is written commissioner who is preparing
“Unlike the past when communica- much like the ‘For Dummies’ book,” for the upcoming season needs to
tion was strictly limited to the newspa- said Rockville (Md.) Football League make sure everything is set in place
per, yard signs or flyers handed out to President Erick Heckman. “We have a early – typically by April. For us, our
a school – which may or may not make lot of boundaries and recruiting rules equipment has been purchased, re-
it home – we can now reach players that must be enforced, so it’s very im- conditioned, organized and returned
officiating

and their families through the internet,” portant that we make ourselves avail- to the shelves; our registrations are
explains Indian Nations Football Con- able via email and phone to answer open and online; our website is up
ference (Okla.) Commissioner Tom Lott, questions and make sure players to date; and our coaches have gone
whose league are registered to the correct age and through their first preseason meet-
consists of 366 weight groups and the right team. ings. We have also begun finalizing
teams. “We have “We have successfully used the our preseason camps and coaches
the ability to technology to increase our registration as well as assigning practice field
have constant by 10-20 percent a year for the last and combine locations. 
contact with five years.”  “We have learned that by preparing
our families and Perhaps the most important thing early, it eliminates a major amount of
we consistently commissioners should keep in mind complaints which would otherwise
search for any Tom Lott
during the offseason is remember- arise.  It also makes for a smooth tran-
means we can ing to plan ahead. It’s imperative to sition into the season.”
offer on our website to entice them to secure a location for equipment hand- For more insight on how to best
stay in contact with us.” out and registration day as early as operate your youth league, go to
Commissioners also partner with possible. Planning ahead eliminates usafootball.com and click the green
local elementary and middle schools confusion and arms the players, par- “Commissioner” tab.

18 USA Football Magazine

USA Football Regional Managers
A merica’s favorite sport is powered by you – dedicated youth league commissioners, coaches, game
officials and volunteers. For each of you, there is a face and name to place in your football Rolodex:
your USA Football Regional Manager.
USA Football Regional Managers are current and former coaches, players and administrators working for you. Each has the experience
needed to help you make your league or team even stronger with USA Football’s resources.
Contact your USA Football Regional Manager to learn how you can kick off your free commissioner membership or to ask about coaching
certification, the nearest USA Football Coaching School, Player Academy or Officiating School. Stay in touch with your regional manager,
whether it’s to share news about your league or team or to ask about member resources.
In addition, you may always contact our office, based outside of Washington, D.C., through usafootball.com or by phone at
1-877-5-FOOTBALL. Let us know how we can serve you better.
Together we’ll ensure that teamwork and leadership continue to serve as the laces binding our favorite game.

Northeast Region
Ed Passino
Northwest Region Great Lakes Region (703) 992-8246
Bassel Faltas Central Region Scott LeVeque epassino@usafootball.com
(571) 730-4816 Joe Owens (571) 730-4815
bfaltas@usafootball.com
(571) 730-4822 sleveque@usafootball.com
jowens@usafootball.com

West Region Southeast Region

Bucky Brooks Rick Peacock
(818) 921-7616 (703) 992-8107
South & Mid-Atlantic rpeacock@usafootball.com
bbrooks@usafootball.com
Deno Campbell
(703) 992-8653
dcampbell@usafootball.com

19
 How To Get The Most
From Your Fundraiser
By Tim Polzer
Coaching

E
very youth football organization’s
game plan includes the challenge
of fundraising, but not every
organization has a good game plan.
Too many associations and leagues
are putting together long, dedicated
drives that wind up eating a lot of clock
Health & fitness

before stalling out short of the goal-line.

Joel Reader, who helped turn around
a financially challenged youth football
association, has also seen the good
and the bad of fundraising in his role
as Western Fundraising Director for raising money? And how much? As sales begin to trickle in, be sure
BRAX Spirit Cups. One of the first “Make sure this information is com- to create a visual meter that shows
things Reader suggests is creating a municated all the way down the line,” your sales people how far they’ve
commissioner

fundraising game plan and finding the
right people to run it.
“Just like you plan out your league’s
year or your plays for your next game,
you need a game plan for your fund-
raiser,” Reader said. His first, and most
important tip: Select the right person
to manage your fundraiser.
“As you know, teams succeed or
officiating
Reader said. come – and how far they have to go –
You must also outline sales targets to meet your goal.
and opportunities such as friends, “Draw up a big thermometer, which
families, teachers, co-workers and shows where you’re at and where you
even out-of-town relatives. need to be,” Reader suggested.
“When I took mine to work, I asked Incentives will help drive your sales
my boss if it was okay if I sent out an volunteers, drawing out their competi-
e-mail that said I was doing a fund- tive streaks and providing a carrot for
raiser and what it was,” Reader said. better reaching your goal.

fail by the merits of their play-
ers or people,” Reader said. “If
you try to run a 5-3 defense
and only have two good line-
men, you’re going to have a
long year.”
The perfect quarterback
for your fundraiser should be
an aggressive leader, who is a
good communicator capable
of motivating key players
including youth coaches, par-
ents and players.
The next step is determin-
ing what you’re raising money
for, setting goals and publish-
ing those goals. Why are we
BRAX Spirit Cups Western Fundraising
Director Joel Reader offers six tips for
effective fundraising:
1. Select Right Person to Manage
Fundraiser
2. Set & Publish Fundraising Goals
3. Document & Communicate Methods for
Reaching Goals
4. Use Motivational Items To Promote
Progress vs. Goals
5. Include Incentives in Promotion
Program
6. Monitor Progress Toward Goals
“Incentives help both the top
performers and drive the average
performers,” Reader said. “I put
up prizes of $175. The three top
individuals sold over $2,000, so
my profit was just over $1,700.”
Consistently monitoring
goals and seeking weekly
updates from coaches or team
representatives is critical.
“When a team is not on track
for its goals, a team/parents
meeting should be called or
phone calls made to those who
are not on track to reinforce
how they can reach their goals,”
Reader said.

20 USA Football Magazine

Background checks give
peace of mind
League commissioners protect players with help from USA Football & NCSI
By Alex Fink

“Red Lights” by Category

E
nsuring a positive foot-
ball experience for our (662 red lights in 2009)
youngsters begins with
a coach-player relationship 47%
built on trust. Recognizing
this, USA Football continues 27%
to be America’s only youth
sports organization that dedi- 19%
cates as much as $500,000
to help pay for gold-standard 4%
background checks on youth
football volunteers.
Established in 2007, USA
Football continues to offer a $15 two-
season gold-standard background check to interact with children. NCSI performs
through special pricing from the National
Center for Safety Initiatives (NCSI) – the
official background screening company
of the U.S. Olympic Committee. The
normal price for this premium service is
$25. USA Football’s background check
subsidy is open to every youth football
league in the United States.
“Our league has definitely seen the
positive outcomes from USA Football’s
program with NCSI,” said Robert Mead-
ows, commissioner of the Annandale
(Va.) Boys & Girls Club. The ABGC oper-
ates within the Fairfax (Va.) County
Youth Football League which encom-
passes more than 7,200 youngsters.
“The background checks allow you to
see what kind of individuals are volun-
teering and working with our kids. We
have been using the background checks lights” are separated
for about three years now and we’ve
gotten nothing but positive feedback.”
The purpose of the background checks County (Mo.) Athletic Club Mark Boles
are to help youth leagues determine if a
any felony
any lesser crime involving force or threat of
force against a person
any lesser crime involving controlled sub-
stances, not paraphernalia or alcohol
any lesser crime in which sexual relations is
an element, including “victimless” crimes of a
sexual nature and pornography
coach or volunteer is deemed suitable
searches in two national criminal databas- gives volumes of peace of mind to both
es as well as all state sex offender reg-
istries. The search also includes county
records. Depending on the individual
league’s preferences, NCSI can search
lifetime records or just a time frame for
when certain crimes have taken place.
After the applicant’s report is com-
plete, the individual is flagged with a
“green light” or a “red light.” If an indi-
vidual receives a “red light,” NCSI notifies
them and allows the individual to explain
or dispute the record. Following that con- seasons. The program’s success is due
versation, NCSI sends
screening findings to
the league, but no con-
fidential information is
exchanged.
The criteria for “red
mark boles
into specific categories in the graph above. no go until you get the green light!”
President and Co-Founder of South
made sure background checks were part
of his league. He learned
about USA Football’s subsidy
program in a coaches meet-
ing with USA Football Central
Regional Manager Joe Owens.
“When we started our
organization, we were
adamant about doing back-
ground checks on everyone
having contact with the
players,” he said. “I sat down
with Joe and he detailed the
program and the ease of use
by the user and the league. It’s a small
cost incurred by the organization that
the parents and players.
“We actually had a uniform supplier
that was on the watchdog list. Upon
finding out and verifying that he was a
registered sex offender, we severed all
ties with him and the company and any
future companies he works for.”
Youth football background checks
conducted with USA Football’s financial
help have resulted in more than 1,300 “red
lights” during the past two youth football
in large part to the simplicity of the NCSI
application process. They manage the
data entry with a quick online survey and
leagues are able to check the status of
the application online.
“One of my favorite features is the red
light/green light,” Boles said. “Remember,
Visit usafootball.com to employ USA
Football’s subsidized background check
program today.

21
 Youth leagues capitalize on
USA Football State Forums
By alex fink
Coaching
USA Football State Leadership
Forums bring youth football leaders
together to discuss the game and
identify solutions to challenges shared
in common.
In 2010, USA Football will conduct
38 state forums throughout 28 states
Health & fitness
to cultivate an environment where top
youth football minds can exchange
ideas on how to further strengthen
their leagues and the sport in general.
Elmo Le Beouf III, president of the
Dutchtown (La.) Youth Football League
for the past nine years, has seen first-
hand what benefits can sprout from
commissioner
USA Football’s state forums.
“Before the state forums, I often
thought that I was the only one working
through the different problems that
arose during my time as league presi-
dent,” said Le Beouf, a USA Football Com-
missioner member. “Listening to other
commissioners discuss these same
problems I was having, I now have a
officiating
better understanding on how to improve
my league and how to deal with certain
problems that can arise in the future.”
Led by the USA Football regional
managers, each of whom is experi-
enced as a current or former coach,
player or football administrator; USA
Football’s state forums cover an array
of topics pertinent to leagues regard-
less of size or location. Discussions
range from coaching and officiating
education, player health and safety,
marketing a league to grow participa-
tion, organizational structure, a youth
football-specific rulebook, access to
USA Football equipment grants, fund-
raising guidance, and more.
22 USA Football Magazine
These topics and others are central
to these full-day league commissioner
meetings.
“The state forum helped my league
establish guidelines for our coaches,”
explained John Palumbo, Coaching
Commissioner of the Moriches (N.Y.)
Seahawks. “The forum also helped us
create a better connection between
ourselves and the local high school
program. There is a lot of information
on how other leagues are improving
themselves so it’s important to attend
if you want to improve your program.”
The networking aspect of the State
Forums is invaluable as attendees
remain in contact with one another to
ensure that youth football continues to
strengthen its roots.
“Most of the time,
we don’t have to rein-
vent the wheel in order
to have a successful
football program,”
elmo le beouf
Le Beouf said. “The
forums allow you to exchange informa-
tion with all of your fellow commis-
sioners and stay in touch throughout
the entire year. It’s important to take
advantage of the previous experiences
of other administrators. Most of the
time the solutions to my problems
have been right in front of me through
the people I have met at the forums.”
If your league has not participated
in a state forum, but would like to,
contact your USA Football Regional
Manager (pg. 19).
Visit usafootball.com and roll to the
green “Commissioners” tab for more
resources to best serve your league.
State Forum
Delegates Selected
for Canton
For the third consecutive year,
one youth league commissioner
from each of USA Football’s 38
State Leadership Forums will be
selected to participate in the NFL/
USA Football Youth Football Summit
in Canton, Ohio, this July.
The NFL/USA Football Youth
Summit assembles nearly 200 youth
and high school coaches from all 50
states and the District of Columbia.
Youth league commissioners and
former NFL players now coaching at
the high school level also take part.
Included in the two-day summit
agenda is a USA Football National
Forum comprised of one delegate
from all 38 state forums.
NFL/USA Football Youth Summit
discussion topics include character
development, league operations, the
NFL’s ATLAS & ATHENA Anti-Steroid
Education Program, USA Football’s
CDC-approved concussion aware-
Photo Courtesy of Pro Football Hall of Fame
ness information, role-playing dem-
onstrations regarding coach-player-
parent relationships, and more.
Since 2007, more than 1,000
youth league commissioners have
attended a USA Football State
Leadership Forum. Don’t be left
behind – contact your USA Football
Regional Manager (pg. 19) to join
them in 2010.
– Steve Alic
 USA Football’s Grants
Program strengthens the
sport in 40-plus states
By Alex Fink

USA Football has awarded $1 million for the 3.0 million youngsters participat- football community since 2006 and is
worth of helmets, shoulder pads, uni- ing in America’s favorite sport. responsible for awarding more than
forms, and more this winter through its “We received 25 helmets and we $2 million worth of football equipment
Grants Program, benefiting more than play in the Arizona Competitive Youth provided by Riddell and Under Armour.
800 youth and high school football Football League – competitive league As football participation numbers
programs in 44 states based on merit football where you have to furnish continue to grow, USA Football hopes
and need. the equipment grants
USA Football awards continue to empower
its equipment grants youth leagues and pro-
with the help of the NFL vide them with the nec-
Youth Football Fund, a essary tools they need
non-profit foundation to ensure our children’s
created by the NFL and safety.
NFL Players Association “In a small town like
in 1998. Reidsville, we have kids
“This equipment gives that participate in our
us an opportunity to programs that depend on
expand our program to us to provide them with
younger children and something positive to
get them move involved do,” said Dale Hagwood,
in football,” said Lanelle Program Supervisor of
Ramey, Northwest Area Reidsville (N.C.) Recre-
The Goodpasture Christian School’s 5th & 6th grade football team in Madison,
Director of the Boys & ation. “Our resources are
Tenn. (near Nashville), was one of 800 youth and school-based football programs
Girls Clubs of Greater limited and the grant we
in 44 states that benefitted from USA Football’s Grants Program this winter. USA
Milwaukee (Wis.) Tackle Football’s equipment grants are awarded on a merit and need basis. receive from USA Football
Football. “It helps us be- goes a long way toward
cause it reduces expenses for equip- your own equipment,” said Kenny King, us being able to offer the youth in our
ment that we would not otherwise Organization Leader of the Chandler town with high quality equipment to
be able to afford during these tough (Ariz.) Kings Youth Football Organization. play football.
economic times.” “We’ve done fundraisers throughout “It is very important to the success of
Each league selected for an equip- every year, but always fell short in get- our program.”
ment grant receives a $1,000 package ting supplies. This grant really helped us Apply for a 2010 USA Football grant
that offers a variety of football equip- take our program to the next level as far by registering for an e-reminder today
Photo by joel grimes

ment and uniform options to choose as having new and safer equipment and and you’ll be notified when the online
from. High schools receive similar pack- it really helped our program.” application is open. USA Football’s 2010
ages valued at $1,500. USA Football’s grant program has grant application will be available on
New equipment makes football safer assisted the youth and high school www.usafootball.com this spring.

23
 USA Football’s LeMonnier
referees Fiesta Bowl
By Alex Fink
Coaching
U
SA Football Rules
Editor and Officiating
Consultant Bill LeMon-
nier earned another Bowl
Championship Series assign-
ment this year when he was
selected to referee the 39th
Health & fitness
Tostitos Fiesta Bowl between
Boise State and TCU on Jan.
4, televised nationally on
FOX-TV.
The 2010 Fiesta Bowl is
LeMonnier’s 12th college
bowl assignment in the past
15 seasons. His postseason
resume now includes four
Fiesta Bowls, two Orange,
league
two Holiday, and a Cotton,
among others.
A Big Ten referee since
1995, LeMonnier is USA
Football’s primary officiating
consultant and is the rules
editor of USA Football’s
officiating
Bill LeMonnier
Youth Football Rule Book.
Boise State (14-0) defeated TCU
(12-1), 17-10, in Glendale, Ariz., for this
year’s Fiesta Bowl crown.
“Being selected to work the Fiesta
Bowl was extremely special to me – it
was the site of my first bowl assign-
ment back in 1997,” said LeMonnier,
who has co-authored the NCAA Foot-
ball Officiating Test for each of the
past eight years. “This was my fourth
Fiesta Bowl, and I had the honor of
being part of the Boise State-Oklaho-
ma game three years ago.”
A Big Ten referee since 1995,
LeMonnier oversees USA Football’s
24 USA Football Magazine
innovative Certified Officiating Educa-
tion Program (COEP), accessible to USA
Football officiating members through
usafootball.com. The Chicago-area
resident also contributes to usafoot-
ball.com’s “Ask the Expert”
feature, answering questions
from USA Football members
on an array of topics.
LeMonnier is also USA
Football’s primary officiating
consultant and is the rules
editor of USA Football’s Youth
Football Rulebook.
“This will be an exciting
year working as the rules
editor for the USA Football
Youth Football Rulebook,
LeMonnier said. “The rules
committee members have
been a pleasure to work
with and we look forward to
making youth football the
safest and most exciting
place for kids to play sports.”
“The USA Football Family
congratulates Bill on yet
another BCS Bowl referee-
ing assignment,” said USA
Football Executive Director
Scott Hallenbeck. “Bill’s long list of
officiating accomplishments and
integrity underscores that USA Football
officiating members hone their craft
with guidance from the best in the field.
We encourage football-savvy people to
consider becoming game officials. Bill
and others at USA Football can help you
succeed and provide an exciting way to
contribute to America’s favorite sport.”
LeMonnier also will serve as the
referee for USA Football’s “Team USA
vs. The World” game, presented by
Riddell, in Ft. Lauderdale on Jan. 30
(see pages 6-9).
 Meet a USA Football Member

Donnie Stitt By alex fink

T
he USA Football Family unites all those who con- My favorite officiating memory, believe it or not, is the
tribute to America’s favorite sport. USA Football first set of games I did as an official. I blew a backwards
Officiating Member Donnie Stitt has called youth pass call by calling the play dead. The defense picked it
football games in Fairfax County up and ran it in for a TD and that
(Va.) for more than 17 years and team lost by six points. I went up
also has experience officiating to the head coach and apologized
flag football, basketball and soft- for my mistake after the game and
ball. Stitt, a member of USA Foot- admitted that I had blown it. He
ball’s Rules Committee, recently respected me for my honesty and
spoke with USA Football Magazine we became football friends for
to discuss his officiating passion years to come.
and the value of being a USA
Football member. How did you learn about USA
Football?
What interested you in becom- I learned about USA Football
ing a youth football official? after they requested that several of
I became a youth official out our crews attend their youth tour-
of necessity. I was a coach in our nament in Minnesota several years
youth league when the commis- ago (2006 USA Football Classic).
sioner approached me and I attended this event for two
wanted to know if I would like years and had a great officiating
to be an official. This was due Name: Donnie Stitt and learning experience.
to the fact that the number of Resides: Vienna, Va.
teams had increased and we USA Football Membership: Official How have you benefited from
had to cover additional fields. Position: Referee & Commissioner, Fairfax USA Football’s officiating
We ended up with 12 new of- County Football Officials Association membership?
ficials and the Fairfax County Game Official Since: 1992 I have benefited from the
Football Officials Association USA Football Member Since: 2006 officiating section on their web-
was started in the early ’90s. site. I love the information and
I’ve been officiating ever since. articles and I now require all of
my officials to pass their certification tests (Certified Offici-
What do you value most about being an official? ating Education Program) before they can become officials
Trying to do my best to allow all participants of a youth in our association. I believe this reinforces our veteran of-
football game to have a fair and enjoyable experience ficials and gives our first-year officials a great introduction
during their time on the field. to becoming a good referee.

What is the toughest call to make as an official?
The toughest call for me to make is offensive holding.
What is your favorite football memory?
My favorite football memory is John Riggins pulling
away on 4th and short against Miami for a TD and a
Redskins Super Bowl victory (Super Bowl XVII, Jan. 1983).
What would you say to someone considering becoming
an official?
It is very important to have fun out there while work-
ing games. If you’re too nervous or tense it can become
stressful.
Visit usafootball.com/register to learn more about
USA Football’s officiating membership.

26 USA Football Magazine

27
 What Football Taught Me
Bill Hemmer, FOX News Channel Co-Anchor, “America’s Newsroom”
As Told To steve alic
Whether his position is news co-anchor, running back, or strong safety,
Bill Hemmer excels in the spotlight and values gained through football con-
tribute to his success.
The co-anchor of “America’s Newsroom” on the FOX News Channel (Mon.-
Fri., 9-11 a.m. ET) grew up on Cincinnati’s west side. One of five children, his
parents celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in later this year.
His father, William Hemmer, Sr., played college football and later worked
full-time to support his family, but still managed to help coach his sons’ youth
football teams. Hemmer’s brother, Andy, played linebacker at Boston College
I
was raised in a family where football was around us since as
far back as I can remember. I still have pictures of me hold-
ing a ball in my third-grade team photo at Our Lady of Victory
grade school on Cincinnati’s west side.
I figure I was a pretty typical kid.  At Our
Lady of Victory, I was given a jersey number
and emulated NFL players who I shared it with.
I distinctly remember wearing No. 44 one
season, so I became a fan of Browns running
back Leroy Kelly.  My brother was given No. 72,
so he pretended to be Howard Fest, a Bengals
offensive guard.
Football taught me dedication, discipline,
teamwork, training in the off-season so that
you’re prepared – you experience all of that when
you play on a team. And because this game has Bill Hemmer
physical demands, it’s a greater test. You have to
love the game if you’re going to play it well. It demands more of you.
Football teaches you how to be a team player. We’ve got a
team in “America’s Newsroom” of 12 people. We are nothing
without each other. We need to work in symphony to pull
off the broadcast and I liken this to football. We all have our
responsibility. And when you uphold that responsibility, you do
well – it’s amazing what you can accomplish.
Also, when I’ve been overseas covering our troops in Iraq
or Afghanistan – I can’t say this for all of the men and women
– but there’s usually an allegiance to their football team. The
sport can bring people together whether you cheer for the
same team or not.  It’s what you have in common.
I played practically every position in youth football, except
quarterback. In high school, I played strong safety.
I attended (Cincinnati) Elder High School, which is
steeped in tradition. When I reflect on my football experi-
ence there, I remember the spirit of competition and how the
sport united generations of Elder families. I think the school,
like the sport, reflects a certain community, which is only as
28 USA Football Magazine
and was a teammate of Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Doug Flutie.
A former youth and high school football player, Hemmer is a life-long
Cincinnati Bengals fan. He still owns an oversized Bengals “foam finger”
from 1981 when the team earned its first Super Bowl berth.
“America’s Newsroom” is the country’s ninth-most watched cable news
program as of Oct. 2009. Hemmer’s work contributes to the fact that the FOX
News Channel is the most watched cable news channel and is on track to
have its best year ever in the network’s history.
Hemmer recently spoke with USA Football to share what football taught him.
good as those who are willing to sacrifice for it.
One year in high school, I quit football for a day or two … my
dad often allowed us to step in our own pile. “Are you sure that
you want to do that – are you sure that you
want to quit?” he asked. That was the nudge
that I was looking for and my boycott lasted
about 36 hours. I’m grateful that he encour-
aged me to change my mind.
I could’ve played Division III college
football, but it would’ve been tough for me
financially (Editor’s Note: athletic scholar-
ships are not granted in Division III athletics.
Hemmer went on to earn a journalism degree
from Miami University of Ohio). On Sunday
afternoons, I’ll still find myself watching foot-
ball.  And I’ll always be a Bengals fan. 
When the Bengals went to their second
Super Bowl (Jan. 1989), I was a young sports producer at Cincin-
nati’s WLWT-TV (NBC). We had six people in our department and
five got to work on-site in Miami. I was the one assigned to stay
back, but it actually turned out to be a good break. Being the only
sports staffer in the building, I was needed to do live work on
camera. Well, that led to a full-time job on-air, so I have football
and the Bengals to thank for that opportunity.
Yes, I’m a Bengals fan, but I’m a football fan to the core. My
high school airs all of its football games on the internet and I
log on to watch whenever I can. Earlier this year (Sept. 6), we – I
still say “we” when talking about Elder – were on ESPN. I was
at a wedding in Hamburg, Germany, when the game was on
the air.  The next day I rented a bicycle, riding to about 10 of
the best hotels in the city hoping to catch some of the game,
but I was 0-for-10. But I was there in spirit.  (Editor’s Note: Elder
defeated Colerain High School on ESPN, 20-7).
Some people talk about music, movies, or other pastimes
being “soundtracks” of their youth. Football fits that role for our
family … it’s always been there.