Congratulations on becoming a 2009 NECCO Raider. You have recently begun a 100-day journey that you will hopefully remember for many years. Whether you are a Raider for 1, 2, or many more seasons, we challenge you to take advantage of the opportunity you now have to be around 130 players and their families with similar goals – to become better football players, to learn how to contribute to a team, and to strive for success on the field and in life.
The coaches and teammates on each of the six Raider football teams (3 flag, 3 tackle) will work together to make their individual teams the best they can be. However, we believe that if we all come together for brief periods throughout the season, we may be able to learn from each other about what it really means to be a Raider – dedication, preparation, and tradition.
That’s where the Raider Wingmen program begins, with the premise that two are stronger than one, and that if veteran players are given the chance to be around younger players with the same interests, both will benefit in the end.
Here’s how the program works – every player from K through 8th grade will be paired up with a Raider Wingman (called Arr Dub for short), and there will be at least a 3 year age difference within the pair.
Players will be introduced to their Wingmen on Thursday, August 27th at 5:45 pm, and we will then resume an old Raider tradition where every member of every Raider team will meet on the game field for pre-practice calisthenics. Together, the players will run “around the world”, line up on the game field, stretch, do strength exercises, run “the hill”, and conclude with a 131-man BREAKDOWN that will echo throughout the fields of the NSYFL. The 7th and 8th grade Captains and their coaches will be the leaders, with each pair of Raider Wingmen lined up side-by-side. The entire team will meet for another Wingman Night on the Thursday before Homecoming (October 8) to stretch as one team before practice.
The Raider Organization has graciously agreed to provide each player with a t-shirt to show their support for the Raider Wingmen program. The only requirement for participation in the program is that each Wingman attends a minimum of 2 games that their Wingman is playing in, as each player’s schedule allows.
Raider players should be encouraged by their coaches and families to do the following for their Wingman throughout the season: be a friend to him, support him, answer his questions, work with him, motivate him, and cheer for him. Most importantly, the SILVER rule: no matter what, no matter how tough the game, practice, or situation -- never leave your Wingman. Over the last two seasons Wingmen have raised attendance at tackle and flag games, they’ve recognized each other’s birthdays and/or holidays, and some even spent time at activities outside of football, such as baseball, basketball, wrestling, etc.
Like anything else, the more effort you put into this program, the more you, your Wingman, and in turn the entire Raider Organization will get out of it. So don’t be shy, ask questions, give answers, observe, learn, and have fun. Go Raiders!!!
Remember, 12 + 16 + 16 + 27 + 27 + 32 = 73. Any questions, ask a NECCO Raider.
