Air Force Falcons Youth Sports

“The discipline which makes the soldiers of a free country reliable in battle is not to be gained by harsh or tyrannical treatment. On the contrary, such treatment is far more likely to destroy than to make an army. It is possible to impart instruction and give commands in such a manner and such a tone of voice as to inspire in the soldier no feeling, but an intense desire to obey, while the opposite manner and tone of voice cannot fail to excite strong resentment and a desire to disobey. The one mode or the other of dealing with subordinates springs from a corresponding spirit in the breast of the commander. He who feels the respect which is due to others cannot fail to inspire in them respect for himself. While he who feels, and hence manifests, disrespect towards others, especially his subordinates, cannot fail to inspire hatred against himself.” (Major General John McAllister Scholfield's graduation address to the Class of 1879 at West Point.)

Air Force Falcons,

The regular season is now complete. There have been many tough battles fought. There are a few more battles yet remaining to be fought. In the next few battles we will be able to determine if our Secondary Mission Objective is accomplished----Securing the Premier Youth Football Championship for the 4th Grade Air Force Falcons as well as for the 8th Grade Air Force Falcons. With our regular season behind us we can now declare that our Primary Mission Objective has been accomplished----Successfully Instilling Discipline, Integrity, and Teamwork in our young men. We coaches have seen the results of the increase in Discipline, Integrity, and Teamwork in observing how our awesome Falcons respond to victory and to defeat, in how our Falcons show respect to those in authority, and listen to instruction. We coaches have heard from our parents about how excited their sons are about coming to practice but just as importantly how their sons feel that that can respectfully express any concern or grievance with us and expect to be treated respectfully and fairly in return. We coaches have heard from parents of our opposition praising us and our players on our character and style. We have heard from opposition coaches complimenting us on the discipline that our players show in their techniques and character. We coaches have even heard from opposing players after our games against them with the opposing players saying that they want to play FOR us in the future !!!!!!!!! The respect that our young men have earned from the league, parents, and other players is a product of the DISCIPLINE, INTEGRITY, and TEAMWORK that they have learned and displayed since accepting their Tour of Duty Assignment for Spring 2012 Air Force Falcons football. Primary Mission Objective Successfully Accomplished---------

The quote at the beginning of this message accurately reflects how the leadership team of men and women, Air Force Falcons Youth Sports Coaches, Team Moms, and Business Manager, feel about the importance of Discipline. In our remaining few weeks of teaching and training let us all remember why we are a part of this program. We want the very best for our children. We want to prepare them for success in life and equip them with the tools necessary to navigate around and possibly through obstacles. In the end, Air Force Falcons Youth Sports is more than just a youth sports program, it is a program to prepare tomorrows leaders in the ways of servant leadership.

Coach Shannon