President's Message
by American Youth Football President, Joe Galat
Should we reward excellence?
Standing outside the locker room we "the boys" must have looked like a group of awe-struck kids hoping to capture a sliver of reflected glory as the men in red and black were  introduced. "The Varsity" came from all races, religions, and immigrant parents. It was no secret that if you played for Coach Britt you were fundamentally sound, even if you didn't play youth football due to being too big for the age/weight matrix.
The youth program was affiliated with a national organization that restricted who could play by size. Many of Coach Britt's players went on to receive football scholarships. My father would later tell me "you know Joey, there will be scouts from many Universities at tonight's game - I can't afford to send you to college - but if you show those scouts how I know you can play football - the scholarship offers will come in"
But there we, "the boys" were, unknown to our High School Coach (we thought).
We looked up to The Varsity as warriors who defended our city and school in their pursuit of excellence. We were left only to play tackle football on the sand bars of Lake Erie in the summer. In the fall we played football in the End Zone of what is now Jack Britt Stadium at halftime under the Friday Night Lights.
When High School Football tryouts began on a humid August morning we "the boys" were nervous. It would be our first time wearing the real football Armour. I didn't realize the thigh pads were higher on the outside as I inserted them opposite their intended design. As a result I obstructed my thighs from the range of motion needed to run. I finished the sprints in pain and disappointment of finishing with the slower players.
Surprise! Coach knowing us all by name called me over and said "Joe - you rookie, change your thigh pads. I have been watching you and your friends at the Lake - you guys will be North Eastern Conference Champions and the best blocking team in Ohio if you listen to me and work hard"
The coach knew my name, I could not conceive of a coach looking for his future players by driving by the water and taking notes.
He said I had talent. I started then to believe I could achieve my goal of a football scholarship. Wow - this guy was watching us, and not the youth league kids who were now considered undersized.
Who knows what will start a player on the path to success. It is usually an
Adult leader in his community that encourages him at an early age. Today, thanks to American Youth Football, all players have the benefit of learning at an early age how to wear the pads, the High School Coaches play-calling system, and the safe fundamentals of the game. High School Coaches no longer have to "spy" on the kids who will eventually make their Varsity team. Those kids are playing AYF Football.
Parents no longer have to pay more than half of a thousand dollars to attend a Cameo Football Camp; there are a dozen Football Camps that profess to teach you to "learn from the pros". Hey - I got news for you - If you learn from your AYF Coach you will be on the way to an excellent football career.
Most High School Football Coaches include AYF Coaches in their coaches’ clinics. This summer, AYF is introducing entry-level youth clinics to develop coaches (women included) and young players. The purpose of providing entry-level clinics is to transition new coaches and young players to their American Youth Football Leagues.
High School Football Coaches have welcomed this path to football excellence in their communities.
The transition to High School Football is more enhanced by those selected to the Under Armour AYF All Star Game. There have been articles written recently about the perils of recognizing excellence in pre-High School Athletes. Those who want to eliminate competition in sport are sometimes the same as those who loyally subscribe to the arts; every other discipline showers child prodigies with media exposure and various forms of recognition.
The experience of participating in The Under Armour AYF All Star Game goes beyond the field of play. Many NFL Players who are successful after their football careers attend these off-the-field sessions. Athletes talk of life skills and the importance of earning a university degree. That is sound advice for a young athlete entering his High School Varsity years. The path to excellence begins when the athlete conceives he is special and continues to believe he can achieve his goals.
Check out these past President's Messages articles:
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