THE COACH'S CORNER - Ben McKnight III, Head Coach



16 June 2008

Commonwealth Sports Medicine Football Team Challenge
On Saturday May 31st our Kutztown Cougars competed in the 15th Annual Commonwealth Sports Medicine Football Team Challenge at Albright College Shirk Stadium. The event was our first competition against other Berks County teams. The events consisted of bench press, vertical jump, 40 yard dash, pro-agility, quarterback challenge and the two man sled push. While we had try-outs to get down to the 15 man team required to compete in this event, the whole teamworked extremely hard in the weight room and conditioning program. The 15 man and 1 alternate team consisted of the following players:
  Blake BaileyZach McLellanJeremy Weinman
  Adam DietrichDillon SchappellEJ Weiss
  Adam GalczynskiJoe SchrumpBrad Werley
  Steven HefferTodd SiegelZack Williamson
  Trevor Heffner Ron SuchaverskiDamien Wolfe
  Zak Kossifos
The QB Challenge Team (Galczynski, Weinman, T. Heffner) finished tied for 2nd (4th overall due to tie breaker). The 2-Man Sled Team (Bailey and Wolfe) finished 1st Overall. The 2008 Kutztown Cougars TEAM finished as 1st Place Overall - Small Schools Champion. This achievement is a by-product of EVERY PLAYER in our program working hard and developing a great work ethic in the classroom and weightroom.
"TEAM COMES FIRST"
"Teamwork Through Community Service"
The Kutztown High School Football Program is developing teamwork through community service. Players are starting to take pride in themselves and develop into a unit. Effort and accountability are the heartbeat of any successful program.

The players are volunteering their time to build respect and compassion within the community. The TEAM has visited the Kutztown Manor on several occasions. The TEAM has helped the Manor run their weekly activities. The players enjoyed the time spent communicating with the residents. The cheerfulness and enthusiasm the residents showed toward our players was something our players will remember for a long time.

The Kutztown Cougar Football TEAM volunteered in the grand re-opening of Weis Market. The players helped bag and carry groceries out to the cars of the customers.

Finally, the Kutztown Cougar Football TEAM volunteered their time towards the Greenwich-Lenhartsville Elementary School in their yearly school carnival hosted by the Parent Teacher Organization. Melissa Nolte and her staff were thoroughly organized and prepared for all contingencies (rain). Ms. Nolte showed our players what the importance of personal sacrifice can accomplish for the benefit or our community. Our TEAM would like to thank Ms. Nolte, Greenwich PTO and the 5th grade students for inviting us to their event. The smiles on the faces of the youth in our community were PRICELESS!!

"TEAM COMES FIRST IN EVERYTHING WE DO TOGETHER"

Coach McKnight



MESSAGE ARCHIVES



30 Apr 2008

We as coaches are emphasizing the importance of physical conditioning which will minimize the risk of injury and enable our players to compete against other well- conditioned athletes. Kutztown Football Team has its second update in the Lifting and Conditioning Program. Here is a list of our players that made advances in the program after recent testing:

BENCH
185LB Club225LB Club275LB Club
Jeremy Weinman-185EJ Weiss-225
Steven Detwiler-185Adam Dietrich-225
Mason Miller-185Damian Wolfe-250
Angel Castaneda-185
Tad Laferriere-185
SQUAT
315LB Club350LB Club375LB Club400LB Club
Steven Detwiler-315Jeremy Weinman-350 Adam Dietrich-400
Sam Owens-315Joe Schrump-350 Damian Wolfe-415


We are also aware of and concerned for their academic well being. May 5th we will be issuing our CAP paper work to the players.

**Reminder - May 27th, 28th, 29th are our Spring Captains Practices

Coach McKnight

16 Mar 2008

There are several reasons why our Lifting and Conditioning Program makes a great impact on the team and each player's performance. The risk of injuries will be reduced, players' physical development will be enhanced and the development of pride and team unity from a great work ethic will develop in each player. Here is a list of players receiving their first Cougar Weight Club T-shirts:

BENCH
185LB Club225LB Club275LB Club
Adam Dietrich-215Damian Wolfe-245Zach McLellan-275
Todd Siegel-205Blake Bailey-240
EJ Weiss-205Adam Galczynski-240
Trevor Heffner-195Robert Suchaverski-240
Joe Schrump-190Scott Fields-235
Devon Buskaritz-185
Tad Laferriere-185
Brad Werley-185
SQUAT
315LB Club350LB Club375LB Club400LB Club
Joe Schrump-325Scott Fields-365Zach McLellan-375Adam Galczynski-455
Zak Kossifos-315Trevor Heffner-355Adam Dietrich-285Damian Wolfe-405
Sam Owens-315 Blake Bailey-400
Brad Werley-315 Robert Suchaverski-400
EJ Weiss-400
CONGRATS TO ALL PLAYERS ON THEIR HARD WORK AND IMPROVEMENTS !!!
ALSO...
The Kutztown Cougar Football Program recently had the privilege of supporting Coach Angela Bucci and her Lady Cougar Twirling Squad at their annual competition at Kutztown High School. The Kutztown High School Drumline and Dancing Programs performed their routines with great spirit and enthusiasm. The hard work these students put into their programs was evident by the "Attention to Detail " displayed in their routines.

The Twirling competition was the highlight of the evening. This was evident by the electricity and excitement displayed by the fans inside the gymnasium. Coach Bucci and her squad stole the show. The Kutztown High School Twirling Team performance was near perfect. The Dedication, Discipline and Team Unity these ladies put into their performance shows the great work-ethic Coach Bucci instills into her teams.

The Kutztown Cougar Football Program would like to congratulate the Kutztown Twirling Squad, Coach Bucci and her assistants on a great performance. GOOD LUCK IN THE FUTURE !!

10 Feb 2008

To the potential players of KUTZTOWN FOOTBALL:

This will be the first of several letters that you will receive regarding what you can expect from KUTZTOWN FOOTBALL, and what will be expected from you. If this is your first year with us, read them carefully. If you have been here before and feel you have heard it all, I urge you to read them again; we can’t take anything for granted. A total commitment requires a thorough understanding of our goals. No one can fully extend himself without knowing exactly what is expected and why.

KUTZTOWN FOOTBALL will begin with a winter conditioning and strength program and progress through spring practice. Although football is a highly organized game, there are few activities that place such an enormous premium on just sheer effort. We know that your mental stance is as important as your physical ability and want to begin by pointing out this incredibly important aspect of your team. I have seen students of modest ability become effective players simply because they placed football as a high priority and thoroughly applied themselves.

KUTZTOWN FOOTBALL is designed as a phase of your education and is compatible with your studies. The content of our program includes loyalty, discipline, and a physical test of strength, endurance, and courage. It is an experience in sacrifice where you will be asked to set aside personal goals for team objectives.

KUTZTOWN FOOTBALL represents a special opportunity for young men of your age. Your football experience will be a fleeting one, and I urge you to recognize that it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity before it eludes you. It is an unforgiving experience in that each game is played just once, and the results are related to the extent of your effort in preparation and playing.

You have only one opportunity to experience KUTZTOWN FOOTBALL.

You will recognize the rules that are necessary for the discipline of a team. Remember, the best prepared, most committed team has the best chance of being successful. You will recognize the discipline of individual assignments, which makes the team concept of football possible, and it enables you to continue to play successfully even though things may not be going well for you personally. Discipline creates togetherness; it also enables a football team to be successful. It is only through this approach that we can stay together when things become difficult.

Accepting the responsibility of being part of KUTZTOWN FOOTBALL is no small task and a great deal is expected of you. It is my hope that you will accept this responsibility with a great deal of pride, and enjoy the feeling of having made your team successful. I will speak often of KUTZTOWN FOOTBALL with great pride, and again urge you to make a commitment to become a member of what could be a great football team. I look forward to hearing from you soon, and hope that you will join the KUTZTOWN FOOTBALL PROGRAM.


Ben McKnight
Head Coach
Kutztown Cougar Football