SHEYENNE MUSTANG

BOYS HOCKEY

Fall Player/Parent Meeting

“The Tradition Begins”

Est. 2017

Welcome- Introductions• David Benson- Head Coach

dbenson@west-fargo.k12.nd.us

- Sioux Falls, SD

- 12th year in teaching

- Physical Education Teacher- Independence Elementary

- Family- Andrea, teaches Health Sciences at Sheyenne, Bennet- 8, Brody-6, Maria-3

- Coaching

15th year as hockey coach

Fargo Flyers Bantam A Assistant Coach (2003-2006)

University of South Dakota Head Coach ACHA- D3 (2006-2008)

Fargo South Bruins Head Coach (2008-2011)

West Fargo Bantam Coach & Coordinator (2011-2014) Best Years

Davies Assistant Coach (2014-2016)

West Fargo Sheyenne Mustangs (2017-

10th year as football coach

Carl Ben Eielson Middle School (2008-2016)

Liberty Middle School (2017-

Coaches• Nate Mullally- Asst. Coach (Forwards)

- Grand Forks, ND

- Fargo North Spartans Bantam B (2000-2001) Assistant Coach

- Grand Forks Blues Peewee B (2001-2002) Head Coach

- Grand Forks Kelly Park In-House Peewees (2002-2004) Head Coach

- Grand Forks Bantam A Sugerkings (2004-2007) Head Coach

- Grand Forks Red River High School (2007-2008) Assistant Coach

- West Fargo Bantam A (2013-2015) Head Coach

- West Fargo High School (2015-2017) Assistant Coach

• Jordan Lutovsky- Asst. Coach (Forwards)

- Grafton, ND

- Teacher- Sheyenne High School

- Warroad High School (2013- 2016) Boys Assistant Hockey Coach

- Warroad High School (2013-2016) Boys Junior High Baseball Coach

- 8th/9th grade Baseball at Sheyenne

• Mitch Grunig- Asst. Coach (Defense/Goalie)

- Morris, MN

- Counselor- Sheyenne High School

- Fergus Falls (2012-2014) Assistant Coach and Goalie Coach

- Davies Goalie Coach (2015)

- West Fargo United Assistant Coach (2016)

“We are here to create history, not repeat it”- Chantelle Renee

• New Program

• New Team

• New Coaches

• New Locker Room

• New Equipment

• New Warm Ups

• New Expectations

• New Experience!

COMMITTMENT• People of this community and your parents are committed. Everything so

far has been an ALL IN effort. How committed are YOU?

- Level 5= I’ll do whatever it takes

- Level 4= I’ll do my best

- Level 3= I’ll try. I might. I could

- Level 2= I want the result but do not want to put forth the effort

- Level 1= I do not want to be here. You can’t help me.

• You’ll never be your best in life in whatever you do if you aren’t Level 5 committed. You need to commit to your family, your team, your community…. MAKE THE COMMITMENT!

DREAM BIG

If there were ever a time to dare, to make a difference, to embark on something worth doing it is now. Not for any grand

cause, necessarily- but for something that tugs at your heart, something that’s your aspiration, something that’s your dream.

You owe it to yourself to make your days here count. Have fun, dig deep, stretch.

DREAM BIG

Know, though, that things worth doing seldom come easy. There will be good days, and there will be bad days. There will be

times when you want to turn around, pack it up, and call it quits. Those times tell you that you are pushing yourself, that

you are not afraid to learn by trying

PERSIST

Because with an idea, determination, and the right tools, you can do great things. Let your instincts, your intellect and your

heart guide you.

TRUST

Believe in the incredible power of the human mind. Of doing something that makes a difference. Of working hard. Of

laughing and hoping. Of lazy afternoons, of lasting friends. Of all the things that will cross your path this year.

The start of something new brings the hope of something great. Anything is possible. There is only one you, one us, one

2017 Mustang Hockey Team.

WE WILL PASS THIS WAY ONLY ONCE!!

DO IT RIGHT!

Philosophies

• West Fargo Public Schools Mission Statement-

- Educating today's learners for tomorrow's world.

• West Fargo Public Schools Philosophy of Activities

• The West Fargo School District believes that participation in extracurricular activities constitutes a privilege and not a right. Students who participate in extracurricular activities represent the student body, school district, and community on the state and national level. As such, behavior of these students is a reflection on the entire community.

• West Fargo Sheyenne Mustangs Hockey Philosophy

- Being successful is an attitude. It is an attitude that we hope you will take with you throughout your life. Through your success in hockey, we hope you will learn that if you are committed to work hard and sacrifice for your goals, they will always be within your reach.

- In the Mustang Hockey Program, we will focus on those things that we can control; sacrifice, enthusiasm, skill, preparation, leadership, and most importantly, hard work. Winning comes at a cost and the cost is hard work and commitment. Your coaching staff will work hard for your success. If you play for Sheyenne, you will work hard too.

Evaluations

• All players must have all paperwork- must turn into office by Friday, November 3

- Physical From- must have physical each year

(After April 15 counts for next school year)

- Acknowledgment of Risk Form, Eligibility Form, Cod of Conduct Form

- ImPACT Baseline and Evaluation for head injuries and concussions- Consent Form

• Evaluations begin at 3:45 Monday, November 6. All players will be evaluated during the first 3 days of practice.

• On Tuesday, November 7, we will split into Varsity and JV- look on the website for the split between group 1 and group 2

• On Tuesday, after practice we will meet with those individual players who will not be making the team.

• On Wednesday, November 8 at 5:00, we will hand out equipment

“If you aren’t where you want to be, then you haven’t sacrificed enough”

Criteria for Choosing Varsity & Junior Varsity

• Criteria for the Varsity and Junior Varsity are made on a number of different qualities. Hockey fundamentals and knowledge of the game is weighed heavily; however, other qualities are vitally important. ATTITUDE and CHARACTERrank the highest in what we are looking for in our players and for our program. Current grade reports, attendance and tardy records, positions needed, overall work ethic observed are all weighted heavily in deciding where you can make a difference.

• Although we split players at the beginning of the year, the Mustangs hockey program prides itself on the development of each individual and on improving the player’s skills and knowledge of the game. It’s not where you start; it’s where you finish! Just because you start off on the Junior Varsity, 4th line or not on the power play, doesn’t mean you will stay there. It all depends on the sacrifice you make to improve your game that will determine where you end up.

• If there is a senior who isn’t in the top 4 Forward lines or in the top 6 Defense, those seniors will be helping in the stands. In the Mustang Hockey Program we will not be playing seniors on JV.

Regular Season Practice Schedule

• Both Varsity and JV will practice every school day and many non-school days. There will be practices on weekends from time to time.

• Practices will run from 3:45-6:45pm most days for Varsity and JV. This will include but not limited to, off-ice training, weight room workouts, team meetings, on-ice, etc.

• Each player will need workout shoes, shorts, shirt and stickhandling ball for each practice and game.

• A complete schedule, with jamboree, game and tournament schedules can be found at:

https://www.west-fargo.k12.nd.us/Page/1793

• Activity Bus- How many students will be needing a ride on the activity bus to practice?

Participation and Playing Time

• We will work together to create a culture of accountability, trust and togetherness.

• Participation and playing time is not guaranteed.

• Participation will be earned on the basis of what is stated under choosing the Varsity and JV.

• The Sheyenne Mustangs coaching staff believes that every day matters both in the classroom and in practice.

Away Games & Game Attire

• All players will ride the team bus to and from all games except those that are in the West Fargo Sports Arena.

• We will leave and drop off from the West Fargo Sports Arena

• Exceptions will be made on an individual basis, and players will only be released to their parents/guardians after signing a release waiver.

• All players in the Sheyenne Mustang Hockey Program will dress in a manner that is respectable to the event that is going on in their lives on that particular day.

• All players will dress as specified by the coaches and captains on the day(s) prior to games. This attire will generally consist of dress pants, dress shoes, with tie and the team ½ zip for home games and warm ups on road trips. On other occasions the team may decide to dress up for special events if the coaching staff and captains decide to do so.

• All players must have team long- sleeve t-shirt along with shorts, athletic shoes and stickhandling ball before a game. Goalies need 3-4 tennis balls.

• We will occasionally have a workout directly after a game. This is not a punishment but is used as conditioning as well as strength building when our team may need a longer recovery period between games.

Lettering Policy

• For players to letter they must be contributing members (playing) in at least 30 Varsity periods (10 Varsity games) or are a contributing member of the team based on the coaching staffs discretion.

• They will not letter if they do not finish the season because of failing grades and/or training violations in season.

Player Expectations

• A great hockey team is a collection of individuals working together unselfishly in the pursuit of a common goal. We expect that the interests of the team will always outweigh any personal goals, awards or records. Our TEAM will always be out #1 priority. We expect it to be yours too.

• To be a member of this team, you must strive to be your best physically, mentally, and emotionally. To earn the right to call yourself a Sheyenne Mustang Hockey Player, we will demand your greatest effort in all three.

Expectations Continued

• Junior Varsity Player Responsibilities

All junior varsity players should arrive at the game site no later than 1 hour prior to the start of the game. Any junior varsity players who do not dress the varsity game will stay and support the varsity team throughout the completion of the game. Junior varsity players will also be expected to keep statistics as well as film the varsity game.

• Varsity player responsibilities

All varsity players should arrive at the game site prior to the junior varsity games. All varsity players are expected to support the junior varsity team. Between the 2nd and 3rd periods of the junior varsity game the varsity team will go to the locker room for pre-game warm up. The time allowed will give the varsity team appropriate time for pre-game snack, mental preparations, meetings, etc.

Expectations Continued If you always do, what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.

• Rule #1- Do not do anything that is detrimental to your family, your school or your team.

• Attendance in School

As a program, we take great pride in our athletes being great students. In order to be the best student you can be, you must be in school. As a coaching staff we understand that students get sick. We also believe that with the proper nutrition, hydration, rest and recovery that student athletes will stay healthier. There is a difference between being sick and not feeling the best. It is acceptable to be sick and we want you to get better, so if you are sick stay home. If you are sick the last thing you should be thinking about is playing hockey, you need to rest if you are sick. Therefore it is our policy that if you have an unexcused (without Dr.’s note) absence, that you will not play in the following game.

• Example: If you are gone from school on Monday or are gone for 1 period without a Dr.’s note, and we have a game on Thursday, you will not be playing on Thursday.

• Again, your parents calling you in sick doesn’t count as an excused absence in the Mustang hockey program. You need a Dr.’s note.

• Additionally, if you are unexcused for 1 period without a Dr.’s note, you will not practice that day.

• If you don’t practice, you don’t play.

• The coaching staff stresses that if your son is unable to attend practice or is sick from school that YOUR SON (NOT PARENT)call and let Coach Benson know. This helps the coaching staff plan in advance as to changes that we will need to make to our practice plans, game plans, etc.

Expectations Continued

• Appearance

• It is understood that appearance makes a big difference in what people think of you and how they treat you. We will act like a 1st class program and in return you will get treated like a 1st class program.

• More importantly, you are representing your family, our school and our community. Students who are playing for the Mustang Hockey Program will get to be neatly groomed, with clean, and well-kept hair.

- Therefore, hair will not be allowed to touch the top of the ears or be hanging out the back of the helmet.

- At the State Tournament, we will not be doing “special” haircuts, this includes coloring of hair.

- We will not wear hats to games and or practices unless they are a team or school hat.

-There will also be no facial piercings.

Expectations Continued

• Curfew

- We expect you to be well rested when you go to school and come to the rink.

- YOU NEED SLEEP!

The Sheyenne Mustang coaching staff will put a curfew in place using the following guidelines. On weekdays and the night before a game, all players should be home by 10:00pm On weekends, all players should be home by midnight. REMEMBER THAT NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS AFTER 10:00pm!!! The coaching staff does NOT intend to call and check on particular players to see that they are meeting curfew. We do, however, expect the development of trust between player, parent and coach that all will abide by these timelines for the betterment of OUR team. If players are found breaking curfew, disciplinary measures will be taken (loss of game time, starting position). These policies are set as guidelines by our program. The coaching staff feels that the parents of each player should have the final say on what their curfew is on any given night. Therefore, if parents want their child home earlier, that’s when the player should be home. Ultimately, curfew is the parent’s responsibility.

Expectations Continued

• Equipment

- All equipment that is handed out by Sheyenne Mustangs coaching staff is the property of West Fargo Public Schools (this includes warm ups). Warm ups will only be worn on game days and other team functions. These will not be worn out at the outside rinks.

- All players are responsible for their own equipment. If equipment is needed you need to talk to Coach Benson.

- Mouth guards during practice are mandatory and any player without a mouth guard will not be allowed to practice.

- All players will wear their practice jerseys for practice.

- There will be no game day jerseys or game day socks worn during practice.

- All game day jerseys and game day socks must be hung up.

- Any equipment that is lost or not returned at the end of the season will result in a replacement fee at the end of the year.

Discipline Policies

• Eligibility and West Fargo Public School Substance Abuse/Suspension Policy

• All students and parents need to read and understand the consequences for noncompliance with the NDHSAA rules. For further detail please see:

www.westfargo.k12.nd.us/cms/lib/ND02203445/Centricity/domain/122/policiesforms/administrativepolicy/f-students/Extra%20Curricular%20Participation.pdf

• Academic Eligibility

• Academic eligibility for a student in grades 9‐12 shall be determined weekly beginning with the second week of each quarter. The period of ineligibility will be from list to list on a weekly basis, the list will be generated on Friday and take effect on Monday. Likewise, if students are currently ineligible but have met academic requirements for the new marking period, they will become eligible on the Monday following the Friday when the list is generated

• General Discipline Guidelines

• The coaching staff is a firm believer that all student athletes in this program understand what is right and wrong in a given situation. The staff expects all players to do their best to make the right decision. We also know that nobody is perfect, and we all make mistakes. We never hold a grudge against a player, parent, fan, official, administrator, or anyone else who might not meet the general discipline guidelines that are in place. Finding a solution to a problem is way more important to us than just forgetting about the problem and not finding a solution. We can all help each other in this program. The coaching staff will work tirelessly to help the player(s) achieve their goals even after disciplinary measures have been handed out.

Parent Involvement

• Parents can directly help or hinder the program. We must have believers. Help these players develop into confident young men.

• Parents are a critical part of fund raising to keep our program running. We would like the players to remember their experiences as some of the best times of their young lives. Parents will be asked to help in all aspects of fundraising. This includes: selling 50/50, raffle tickets, Chuck-a-puck, Jersey Donations, Carwash and Donations.

• The money raised goes to: Team meals, tape for players team t-shirts & hats, team warm-ups, team awards, banquet, team outings and summer ice.

Parent Expectations

• Practice

• Parents are discouraged from constantly viewing their son’s practice. The coaching staff believes that this adds pressure to the player beyond what already might be on his mind. The coaching staff assures that you can at anytime view practice if you would like, but please be assured that your son is being treated with respect and no individual sanctions are being placed on your son for any unnecessary reason.

• Games

• Parents are strongly encouraged to attend all games in the program, including ones in which their son is not involved directly. Support of our teams is extremely important to the coaching staff and we know that your son also appreciates it. Parents should realize that equal playing time is not guaranteed during games, nor is participation. Any concerns that a parent has during a game should be addressed with their son first. If it is a concern with your son, please have him come and talk with one of the coaches. If the concern is not yet taken care of, please call when 24 hours have passed. Coaches are able to realize when they make mistakes, so realize that it is entirely possible that we as coaches may agree with your concern. Please don’t feel that our coaching staff will go through the year without making any mistakes. We work tirelessly to achieve perfection, but we realize that it is not possible, and it may be that aspect that drives us to keep working so hard to continually improve.

Expectations of Parents Cont.

• SportsmanshipIt is of vital importance that all persons involved in co-curricular activities strive to follow and practice the code of ethics, whether they play the role of coach, participant or spectator. We all carry the responsibility of demonstrating good sportsmanship and serving our community by being positive ambassadors for the West Fargo Public School District.

Concerns• Communication with Head Coach

- In order for you sons to become self-reliant people, we expect players to discuss any issues or concerns that they may be having with the coaching staff (i.e. playing time, position, team strategy).

- We as a coaching staff believe that 99% of all team issues can be solved through proper player-coach communication.

- We as a coaching staff encourage a positive relationship with parents and any concerns that you have that pertain to:

1. The treatment of your child mentally and physically

2. Ways to help your child improve

3. Concerns about your child’s behavior

- Issues that are not appropriate to discuss

1. Playing Time

2. Team Strategy

3. Other Student athletes

- Chain of command in regards to concerns:

1. Player makes a direct contact with the coach/director

2. Parent makes a direct contact with the coach/director after a minimum of 24 hours have elapsed

3. Parents make a direct contact with the activities director

4. Parents make a direct contact with the high school principal

5. Parents may submit a written complaint to the superintendent; a proposed solution must accompany the complaint.

6. Complaints that are unresolved at the superintendent level, may be brought before the School Board by notifying the Board in writing.

Other Items (Parents Only)

• Team store will be open again sometime during the week of Nov. 6-11 to order the team ½ zip.

• Saturday, Nov. 11- Blue and Orange Scrimmage with potluck to follow.

• Once we have the hours worked during fundraisers we will let parents know the remaining budget for money owed for team t-shirt and shorts.

• Boosters- please join- this year they gave us $11,500

• Where is Murph?

• Lets have a GREAT YEAR!