February 26 2009

I hope all is going well for you and your families this winter. I am writing to inform you of some changes we have made in the program and to make you aware of some off season activities that will be taking place in the upcoming months as well as provide you with our summer schedule. We have recently hired John Arntson as our defensive coordinator for the upcoming season. John was previously the defensive coordinator at Clackamas and is also our head baseball coach (2008 State Baseball Champs). I am confident that he will do a great job with our defense with the help of many quality assistant coaches. We have also hired Gary Palumbis to run our summer strength training program. Gary is an experienced strength coach who will instill toughness and push the kids to reach their full potential. Most of our staff is back including Coach Hayes who will coach our outside linebackers and continue to direct the Off Season Football Training academy for anyone who wants to improve their football specific skills and conditioning. Coach Hayes is a wonderful mentor and role model for young men and we are fortunate to have him on our staff. We also welcome back Steve Kraus to our staff who is returning after a year sabbatical. He will be helping Coach Larson on the junior varsity level.

Our coaching sttaff is extremely excited about the group of young men we have in our football program and are looking forward to the upcoming season. In 2009 we are committed to being a hard nosed, physical football team that relies on competitiveness and toughness as its cornerstones. We believe that our senior class is a special group that will lead us to success both on and off the field. Most of our athletes are already working hard in the weight room and are competing in winter/spring sports. The majority of our players are also getting the job done in the classroom. We, as coaches, will continue to work with you, the parents, to remind your sons that their top priorities at Clackamas are their academic achievements and the way they conduct themselves in the community (do the right things and stay out of trouble).

Starting April 4th the football team will begin training every Saturday from 9-11:30 am at CHS. These workouts give our players the opportunity to improve physically while at the same time strengthening our bond as a team in the off season. Beginning May 26th, we will be having two weeks of spring football culminating with the 4th annual Burger Bowl on Friday June 5th. The evening will start with an intersquad flag football game at 5 pm. At the conclusion of the game we will have a potluck dinner for all players, coaches, families, and friends. At the game families can sign up to become Touchdown Club members as well as purchase Cavalier Football spirit wear for the upcoming season.

On June 22nd thru June 25th all players will be going to Camp Howard for our team football camp. Camp Howard is located about 35 miles east of Portland and is the ideal setting for our camp. The players participating will have the opportunity to bond with one another and the coaches and, at the same time, build on the football fundamentals and schemes learned during Burger Bowl week. In response to the economic downturn we have cut the cost of camp from $200 to $150 (most college football camps cost around $300-400), which also includes a Nike dri-fit shirt. Partial scholarships are available for those in need. We hope that all players will be with us during the entire four days of camp.

Monday, June 29th is the starting date for summer conditioning workouts. The weight room will be open from June 29th to August 14th on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9 am to 11:30 am. The weight room will be closed during dead week August 3rd thru August 7th. Our varsity backs will be participating in a passing league on Tuesdays in July at various locations. Junior varsity backs will be participating in a passing league at CHS on Thursday July 9th, 16th and 23rd. In addition, all of our linemen will be working out at CHS every Tuesday evening in July. In order for our football program to compete with the best teams in the state (we play Jesuit, Tualatin, and LO in September) it is vital that we get after it in the summer.

We officially start the preseason with the Cavalier High School Football Camp on August 17th thru 20th from 5 pm to dark. August 24th is the first day of daily doubles. At this time your son will be dedicating the majority of each day toward the preparation of fundamentals and conditioning that is required to play outstanding, and most importantly, safe high school football. Both Varsity and JV play their first game at Redwood High School in Larkspur, California (just north of San Francisco) on September 5th. We will be hosting an informational meeting on March 12th from 8-9 pm in the high school library to formally introduce Coach Arntson and coach Palumbis and to provide information regarding the California trip. All parents of next year's sophomores-seniors are strongly encouraged to attend. We will be discussing travel accommodations (I'm thinking that many parents are going to want to make the trip) as well as fundraising. All players will be participating in a lift a thon during May which we need your support on. Our goal is to keep costs to a minimum on this trip while at the same time providing a great experience for the kids. Look forward to seeing everyone on the 12th. GO CAVS!