FOGF March Update

Dear Grant Football Family and Friends

We are excited to start preparing for the 2023 season. Over the last month our coaching staff has been evaluating our previous season. Our reflection and evaluation process has allowed us to refine the Grant Football experience in a positive way. We believe that providing the student athletes meaningful interactions on and off the field are a key ingredient to program success. What does program success look like? There are the obvious measurables everyone thinks about. Although wins, losses, championships, and other recognition are nice we have shifted our focus to providing experiences that enrich and grow Grant Football culture. We believe that when a positive culture is at the forefront then the wins and losses take care of themselves.

As we continue to prepare for the 2023 season we will be offering many different experiences that will establish a culture that drives expectations and beliefs. Grant is striving to build a culture that is rooted in Character Development, Connection, and Dedication. We have identified these components among others as key factors to building a culture where students, parents, coaches, and other stakeholders are “All In”.

Below you will find a calendar that outlines these experiences all the way to the start of school next September. Please review the calendar so you can make plans moving forward. It cannot be stressed enough that our student athletes care and invest in the refined culture of Grant Football. To do that they need to be present whenever possible. As always there will be schedule conflicts especially when it's time to travel or when playing multiple sports. We ask that the students keep the coaching staff (Coach Melson) informed on whereabouts and potential conflicts.

Highlighted events include:

Football Leadership Committee

It is important that student athletes get multiple opportunities to develop their leadership skills on and off the field. The leadership committee will allow students to take active roles within the football program while developing positive skills in the process. The leadership committee aims to empower our students to lead by taking time to hone impactful leadership skills through workshop opportunities.. Players interested in assuming captain positions or being included in decision making must be a part of the leadership committee to be considered.

Moms Night

The Grant Football is always looking to grow our football family. The only way to do this is to increase participation.. Understandably some families may have some reserves of their student athletes participating in full contact sports. We often run into the excuse from students “My mom won’t let me!” Mom’s night is geared toward providing information and answering questions about the sport of Football. Whether you are a part of the youth or high school program we encourage you to join us to break down safety stigmas of football participation.

Youth Clinics

This offseason Grant Football will strive to provide more opportunities for our youth athletes to build their skills and aspects of culture. Youth clinics are a great way for our students to get out of the house and have some fun while building skills and relationships with teammates and coaches. Stay tuned for more information as there will be a series of youth clinics starting in April.

Spring Ball

We are about 100 days away from the start of 2023 Spring Football. Eligible student athletes will engage in two weeks of padded and non padded practices leading up to finals. These practices are an opportunity for student athletes to hone fundamentals and get evaluated for Summer Development. Springball will include two college campus experiences. U of O day Camp and 7v7 Tournament, and Western Oregon Team Camp. These activities are usually some of the most talked about experiences of our season for students.

Beach Retreat

This year we will have our inaugural annual Beach Retreat. The Beach Retreat is a bonding opportunity for the players to become more connected and build aspects of team and culture. We will spend 3 days and 2 Nights in Warrenton, Oregon at Warrenton High-School. More details about Beach Retreat coming.

U of O Lineman + Skills Day Camp

This will be the second year that we take a group down to Eugene,OR. The U of O 7v7 and Lineman Skills Challenge was one of the highlighted experiences of the year last season. Skill players will compete in a 7v7 tournament during the day as well as the lineman in a skills challenge. Players will also get the opportunity to tour U of O’s state of the art facilities, as well as meet players and coaches. This is a great opportunity to get on a college campus and get a taste of what collegiate sports are like.

Team Calendars (March-June)

Summer calendars July-August will be updated Here soon.

Moda Center Parking lot

We have been given an amazing opportunity to manage event parking at a Moda Center area parking lot and the funds go to Grant Football. The Youth and High School Friends of Grant Football Board members have been running the lot this winter, but we now need additional volunteers. Please e-mail Stephanie at admin@friendsofgrantfootball.com if you are interested in volunteering. Each volunteer shift is 1.5-2hrs.