Best Family-Friendly Football Movie?

Football season has come and gone, but luckily, this Sunday we have the biggest movie night of the year to fill the Sunday Night Football time slot.  Football is always on our mind, and now we can't stop thinking about football movies. 

But which are the best?  There are so many out there.  Some teach life lessons, some inspire us with stories of teamwork and friendship, and some are perfect when you need a laugh. 

For instance, Little Giants teaches the all-too-true life lesson to not let preconceived notions get in the way of success.  This Rick Moranis and Ed O'Neil flick chronicles a team of smaller and presumably less-talented football players who must persevere to beat the team of bigger, better and meaner players.

In Remember the Titans, we see the story of a high school team that overcomes odds and adversity to form a strong team.  Denzel Washington stars as a head coach who must teach the importance of respect, loyalty and friendship in becoming a winning football team.

If you're looking to get the whole family together and put smiles on everyone's faces, feel-good football movies like Air Bud: Golden Receiver and Angels in the Endzone are sure to satisfy.

We can't even begin to touch on the pile of great football movies out there, so we want to know from YOU: What is the Best Family-Friendly Football Movie of all time?  Take our survey and let us know!  We will post the results at a later date…

Take the survey now!

 

Christy Lukes

Football Entertainment Director
Pro Sports Experience, LLC

Pro Sports Experience is the official management company of Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles Youth Football Camps.

http://www.prosportsexperience.com/

American Presidents Love American Football

It's President's Day. As we honor the legacy of past presidents, we realize many of them share with us a passion for football.  Many have been caught in action playing the game and a few were celebrated football stars before they were known as Commander-in-Chief. 

Most recently, President Barack Obama was seen running routes on the White House lawn and has even appeared in ads for the NFL's "Play 60" campaign.

President George W. Bush has always been a big sports fan, and in 2009 he appointed New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning to the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.

Among his extracurricular participation at Eureka College, President Ronald Reagan was a member of the school's football team and was sometimes seen tossing the pigskin around during his presidency.

President Gerald Ford was well-known for his athletic ability, playing center and linebacker for the University of Michigan, leading his team win national titles in 1932 and 1933.  The 1934 season was not so victorious, and Ford, in his presidential years looked back to those games and said, "Remembering [those games] has helped me many times to face a tough situation, take action, and make every effort possible despite adverse odds."

Growing up in a household devoted to physical activity, President John F. Kennedy was involved with many sports, and went onto play on the football team at Harvard.  He, like many presidents preceding and following, continued to play the game at the White House.

Take the time today to honor our presidents and celebrate America by throwing the football around out back.

Tom Finks
Executive Director
Pro Sports Experience, LLC

Pro Sports Experience is the official management company of Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles Youth Football Camps.

http://www.prosportsexperience.com/

Former NFL Athletes Say Having Fun is Key to Success

We can propose that quality coaching, 10,000 hours of repetitions and fast twitch fibers will get your kid to the professional level.

Those are contributing factors, but they are not the most important factor contributing to his or her long-term athletic success.

Rather, the key is simply love of the game and enjoying every moment regardless of the circumstances.

Love of the game and fun must be factored in to every training and competitive experience. 

That passion becomes the driving force, the gasoline behind ever task, challenge, victory and defeat ahead.

In 2008, we talked with 12 NFL stars working for youth football camps across the United States. Each had played more than 3 years in the NFL and some as many as 9 or 10 years.

Across the board and without bias, they said the most important factor in their success was they LOVED playing the game.

Their recommendation as the most important contribution a parent can provide a child?  “Making it fun.”

As kids, these NFL players and youth camp heroes jumped at the chance to practice, play and organize pick-up games in the backyard.

“It was the most fun thing to do…ever,” said former Chicago Bear Youth Camp Hero Kris Haines.

“I loved playing the game as a kid,” said former Green Bay Packer Youth Camp Hero Johnnie Gray.

NFL players New York Giants Youth Football Camps and Philadelphia Eagles Youth Football Camps say the same thing.

Their parents did not track them for professional success. 

Instead, they were “in the moment” and made sure that each day’s experience was as rewarding and educational as possible

Never underestimate the “fun” factor in your child’s athletic experience. 

It is absolutely necessary in order to fuel the engine for success.

Five Important Questions to Ask Before Sending Your Child to Camp

"I am worried about my child attending your day camp.  What precautions do you take to assure my child will be cared for and healthy?"

In the day camp (or sports camp) world, there is no more important question. 

To answer it, ask yourself the following five questions to determine if a camp is prepared to care for your child properly.

1.  Does the camp ask for sufficient contact and health information? 

The first step any good camp will take is creating a camper profile for your child by acquiring comprehensive health and contact information. 

Importantly, does the camp request:

• Multiple phone contact numbers?
• Your child’s age, weight and playing experience?
• Third party emergency contact information?  
• Doctor's name and phone number?
• Unique medical issues of your child? 
• Medicine he/she may need at camp? 
• Who is authorized to pick your child up from camp? 

With this information, the camper profile is created, providing an excellent starting point for safe camper management.  Remember to ask yourself: “Does the camp request enough information to keep my child safe?”

2.  Is the staff qualified?
Before developing athletic skill, camp staff must be able to manage the children.  They must be positive motivators. They must be strict disciplinarians without casting a negative cloud over the entire camp. The staff must manage bullies, shy kids, experienced athletes and newcomers to the game. Above all, they must have the background and experience to succeed.

Important considerations of a camp’s staff include:

• Must staff members pass a criminal background check to work at the camp?
• Do staff members have a "professional educators" background?
• What indicates they can manage large groups of children?
• Are they trained in first aid and CPR?
• Do they maintain a strong staff-to-campers ratio?
• Are health experts or certified athletic trainers on site?

3.  Are the camp’s location, facility amenities and equipment safe?
With respect to inclement weather and athletic activities, can the camp function safely?
Consider the following:

• Is there access to indoor classrooms or a gymnasium?
• Are there ample water or hydration sources?
• Is there a complete supply of first aid equipment on site?
• Are landline phones available?

4.  How does the camp manage its campers?
Ask the camp organization how they will manage your child.  This includes both on-the-field athletic issues and off-the-field activities.

• How are the campers grouped with respect to age and experience level?
• How are pick-up and drop-off exchanges handled?
• What are the lunch time management policies?
• What are practices with respect to sun screen and hydration?
• Is camper profile data (from section #1) accessible?
• Are drills designed with safety in mind?
• Do coaches emphasize respect and sportsmanship as the highest priority?
• Does the camp offer “Extended Supervision” services?

5.  Does the camp effectively communicate with me?
Finally, a quality camp management company proactively communicates to the customer.
Consider these elements of customer communication services.

• Do confirmation notices arrive with complete information?
• Do you receive reminders or updates with respect to the camp or your registration status?
• During the camp week, do you have an easy way to communicate issues or negative experiences?
• Does the camp offer an orientation meeting or introduction to parents?
• Can you communicate problems with camp operations confidentially?
• Do the coaches make themselves available for discussion before and after camp?

With these questions in mind, you can more easily determine if a camp is prepared to manage your child’s day camp experience. If you have additional questions, please email me at tom@prosportsexperience.com.

Regards,
Tom Finks, Executive Director, Pro Sports Experience

Pro Sports Experience is the official camp management company of the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, and Philadelphia Eagles.