High school football players and fans may reward their favorite coaches by nominating him or her for the NFL's fourth annual Youth Football Summit.
Coaches may also apply for their own representation in the three-day seminar, which will be held during the 2004 Pro Football Hall of Fame Weekend (August 5-8) in Canton, OH.
The NFL will invite more than 150 coaches, administrators and other supporters of youth and high school football to attend clinics, educational seminars and roundtable discussions led by some of the NFL's greatest former players and coaches.
One high school coach from each state will be selected to attend, with all of their travel and expenses paid for by the NFL. Coaches or fans of the coach may fill out the application online through the NFL's high school website, www.NFLHS.com.
The application includes an online essay which must include information about their coaching careers, commitment to youth and their coaching philosophies. Coaches may also be nominated for a chance to attend the summit by fans visiting www.NFLHS.com.
A blue-ribbon panel from each state will review the essays, and 50 coaches - one from each state - will be chosen to serve as his or her state's delegate at the summit. Coaches will not be selected based on won-loss records or championships but on their commitment to their players and the community. The deadline for the application is February 27, 2004.
Presenters at last year's summit included former Dallas Cowboys personnel guru Gil Brandt; Hall of Fame players Mike Haynes and James Lofton; sports psychologist Dr. Kevin Elko; motivational speaker Zach Minor; former New York Jets coach and executive Pat Kirwin; and Dr. Bill Prentice of the Gatorade Sports Science Institute.
Topics discussed at the annual summit include: on-field skills and strategy; strength and conditioning practices, nutrition, injury prevention and sports first-aid practices; role-playing demonstrations on handling coach-player relationship issues; tips on inspiring youth and high school football players to achieve their greatest potential.
Representatives lead interactive forum and roundtables sessions from the American Football Coaches Association, National High School Athletic Coaches Association, and National Federation of State High School Associations.
The NFL and the NFL Players Association have made a major commitment to investing in this initiative through the $150 million NFL Youth Football Fund and other programs.
