From the Desk of Mike Wyatt, Head Football Coach and Director of Football Operations
November 1, 2006 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
RiverCity Rage News Release
CONGRATS TO CARDINALS
There is no feeling like being part of a championship team and especially one where your team was the under-dog. So, we at the Rage want to congratulate the Cardinals and all of St. Louis on a World Championship.
MISSED IT ON MIZZOU-OU
I missed the boat on the Mizzou-OU. Going against my raising, I picked the Tigers and the Sooners looked a little like their old selves in beating the Tigers.
I do have a question, however. Why is it that a big-time D1 football program does not have a goalline offense? Or why did they fail to use it? A second and goal at the OU 1 yard line and the Tigers stayed in their shotgun spread attack and came away with nothing. Come on, get the QB under center and sneak it in, if nothing else. To me that is living and dying to try to prove a point.
TURNOUT THE FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, THE PARTY'S OVER
I am of the opinion that the new TV show Friday Night Lights in their hope to develop a dramatic series have put what are supposed to be high school students into very adult situations. In so doing, they have almost made it look age-appropriate for high schoolers to be sitting around drinking beer, like that is fine. We know it happens, but do we really need TV to glorify it for our youth who are at a vulnerable age and have trouble distinguishing between fantasy and reality.
Also, as a coach, I am offended by some of the things the coach in that series does with high school players like the recent trip when he had his assistant contact all the players for a late night reality check at a creek where, in pouring rain, he had them run through the water and up a hill adjacent to that creek, multiple times. Where are these kids parents? No child of mine would be boarding a bus late at night to go running through the muck and mire in the pouring rain to satisfy a coach's ego.
FROM THE OLD SCHOOL
I once had a young coach ask me what would be good "team" building exercises. My response was blocking, tackling, catching, running, throwing, etc. I think you prepare for success. I'm not much for everyone standing in a circle, holding hands and singing Kum By Yah. I believe you have to coach the fundamentals and become good at them to be successful.
Now, don't get me wrong, team chemistry is very important and is a dynamic unto itself, but players can do that by socializing together away from practice. Practice is for engraining football fundamentals and skills, in my opinion.
RAGE OPEN TRYOUT SET
Our next opportunity to evaluate potential players has been set for Sunday, December 3, 2006, in the Family Arena in St. Charles, home of the Rage. Kickers will be evaluated first at 9 AM with other players registering at 10 AM and being put through their paces at 11 AM. The cost is $50, if pre-registered online and $65 for walk-up registration.
We still have more than a dozen training camp roster spots available for the 2007 season. We are looking for all positions.
We will also be having cheerleader tryouts the same day at the Family Arena.
For more information, go to www.ragefootball.com
GET YOUR SEASON TICKETS
Don't miss your chance to get great seats for the exciting 2007 RiverCity Rage season. We have a price range to fit every budget from $60-$210 for an entire season of Rage football.
Rage tickets make great gifts. Whether it be birthday, Christmas, or any other special occasion, with Rage tickets, you can give a gift of exciting, fun family entertainment,.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"I learned this about coaching: You don't have to explain victory and you can't explain defeat. "- Darrell Royal, former University of Texas football coaching legend, and ironically, native Oklahoman and former University of Oklahoma All American.
• Discuss this story on the United Indoor Football Association message board...
United Indoor Football Association Stories from November 1, 2006
- From the Desk of Mike Wyatt, Head Football Coach and Director of Football Operations - RiverCity Rage
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
