2010 Summer Schedule
For the month of June the boys are encouraged to workout, do fitness and get touches on the ball at their discretion. In past years, our attendance has always been very high for summer workouts. However, as the summer drags on, the quality and effort tends to diminish rather than increase. I attribute most of this decline to the never-ending soccer schedule in which most of these boys take part. By the time we are half way through the regular season in mid-September, many boys have expressed (not directly to me, of course) how they cannot wait for the season to be over. This deeply saddens and worries me, especially considering all the hard work we put into preparation for months!
After last season ended, I talked with a rival coach about his summer schedule and found that it was surprisingly light. Close to a third of the number of workouts that we put in. This rival school last year had the best 2nd half of the season than any school in the city. Quite simply, their players were flourishing while other schools’ players were diminishing.
Many boys will be playing in leagues, tournaments and the state cup all the way through the end of May. Some will be doing club tryouts at the end of May and beginning of June (I still don’t get that concept). Therefore, the boys will have the month of June to choose what they wish to do. The World Cup will begin June 11 (I’ll be there) and hopefully all soccer players will be glued to the TV watching the best of this sport. This may inspire some to get outside and work on their skill as well. My hope is that the boys will call each other to get outside and play. Let them organize time on their own to do what they enjoy. I will provide an email and phone list to the boys. They can take it from there.
On July 5, we will begin our voluntary workouts. However, these will be considered ‘coaching days’ by the state of Ohio. I am allowed 10. We will use these 10 days prior to and including the tournament July 16-18 in Mason. It is strongly encouraged that all boys planning on participating try to make arrangements to attend the tournament and the prior practices. During the time between the tournament and tryouts, we will have free play which will include a combination of weight room, fitness and small sided games. Typically, we take off the week before tryouts, called ‘dead week’ by the state. We are not allowed to have a soccer ball during this week or coach; however, we are allowed to do fitness. This year, we will do fitness during dead week, August 2-6. Tryouts will begin the next week on August 9 and run for three days.
I do put a high degree of importance on fitness. To make varsity, a field player will have to complete the two mile run in 13 minutes. That’s pretty fast. The sub-varsity teams will have a slightly longer time. Field players who cannot make the specified times will be required to do extra fitness to make the program and must meet the required times before playing in any games. So, this means that each player must examine his own level of fitness as the summer progresses. If they realize on July 5 that they are not in good shape, then they should really take the time on our off days to raise their level of fitness. Additionally, although I believe we will be one of the more skilled teams in the city, we will also be one of the smallest. To make up for something we cannot control, we must do something we can control. And, that something is getting into the weight room. We can get stronger. We can get tougher. And, we can reduce our own injuries.
On July 5, we will pass out a form to the players asking if they are participating in the tournament July 16-18. If they are, then they will be asked for a t-shirt size. The 2 t-shirts will be used as game jerseys for the tournament and also as practice shirts should they make the program. If, and only if, your son will be missing the July 5 practice, but is planning on attending the tournament, please send me an email confirming this. Also include the t-shirt size.
Summer schedule at a glance:
June 1 9am – noon. Meet at the high school track. Bring cleats, running shoes and water. Must have a new Emergency Medical Authorization handed to me.
Month of June: Players organize their own free play and work out/fitness at their discretion. Watch the World Cup!
July 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14 & 15: Practices 9am - noon at Miami Meadows led by the coaching staff in preparation for the tournament. Bring cleats, running shoes and water.
July 16-18. Tournament in Mason. We will have 3 teams loosely divided by grade levels. Each team will participate in 5 games. The first will be Friday evening. Then, 2 on Saturday and 2 on Sunday. There is an all star game for seniors on Saturday night. A couple of our seniors will be playing.
July 21, 22, 26, 28, & 29: Free play 9am - noon. Weight room, fitness and small sided-games. Location will vary. July 21 we will meet at the track. Bring cleats, running shoes and water.
August 2-6: Dead week. Only fitness and weight room. No soccer equipment. 9am-11am. Meet at the track. Bring water.
August 9-11. Tryouts. 9am – noon. No one may participate without a complete physical. No physical and your chances of making the program become very small.
Scrimmages:
Th, Aug 12 Colerain Home 10am/noon
*No JVB (although we may include some or all of the JVB players with the JVA scrimmage)
Sat, Aug 14 CNE varsity Home 10am (JVA only – yes, JVA)
Sat, Aug 14 Mariemont Away 10am (JVB)/11:30 (varsity)
Tue, Aug 17 Centerville Away 5pm/5pm/7pm JVA&B play on separate fields at the same time
Th, Aug 19 Summit Away 5:30pm/7:15 No JVB
Sat, Aug 21 Sam Dillard Preview at Summit We play Seven Hills at 12:45pm 40 min. game varsity only
August 24 Season begins with a home game against Oak Hills for varsity and JVA. JVB has their first game the next night at Lakota East.
It’s busy from this point on.
The first day of school is September 7. We will have played 4 games prior to this day (1/4 of the season), and we play Princeton on September 7.
L to R: Jim Thaxton (Father), Brian Croston (standing – Milford Boys Soccer Head Coach), Bobby Thaxton, Linda Thaxton (Mother)
Robert (Bobby) Thaxton, Milford High School senior, has signed his letter of commitment to play soccer for Marietta College where he plans to study Petroleum Engineering. Thaxton was a two-year varsity goalkeeper for the Milford squad. He recorded ten shutouts (nine during the 2009 season) in his career. Thaxton and the Eagle defense limited opponents to 14 goals during the 2009 campaign. He was part of the 2008 FAVC Buckeye Championship and regional runner-up team. After his senior season, Thaxton was named to the 1st Team All-FAVC squad. In addition to his success on the field, he also earned FAVC All-Academic awards his junior and senior seasons. Bobby is the son of Jim and Linda Thaxton. Congratulations!
L to R: Tim Clark (Father), Alan Grothaus (standing – Milford Boys Soccer Assistant Coach), Conner Clark, Brian Croston (standing – Milford Boys Soccer Head Coach), Shay Clark (Mother)
Conner Clark, Milford High School Senior, has signed his letter of commitment to play soccer for Transylvania University. Clark was a two year starting midfielder for the Milford varsity squad. He was named the 2009 team MVP by his coaches and teammates. He was also named All-City and 2nd Team All-State his senior year. Clark finished his Eagle career with 39 points on 14 goals and 11 assists (second in the FAVC Buckeye). Clark was part of the 2008 FAVC Buckeye Championship and regional runner-up squad. Conner is the son of Tim and Shay Clark. Congratulations!
L to R: Sheila Michael (Mother), Alan Grothaus (standing - Milford Boys Soccer Assistant Coach), Jeff Michael, Brian Croston (standing – Milford Boys Soccer Head Coach), Greg Michael (Father)
Jeff Michael, Milford High School Senior, has signed his letter of commitment to play soccer for Transylvania University, where he plans to major in Marketing. Michael played three seasons as a varsity striker for the Eagles. As a senior, Michael was named 1st Team All-City and received All-FAVC honors. Michael led the FAVC Buckeye in points his senior season with 50. He ended his career as Milford’s fifth all-time leading goal scorer (39) and seventh all-time in points (94). Michael was part of the 2008 FAVC Buckeye Championship and regional runner-up squad. Jeff is the son of Greg and Sheila Michael. Congratulations!
L to R: Kevin Ryan (Father), Alan Grothaus (standing – Milford Boys Soccer Assistant Coach), Max Ryan, Brian Croston (standing – Milford Boys Soccer Head Coach), Michelle Ryan (Mother)
Max Ryan, Milford High School Senior, has signed his letter of commitment to play soccer for Transylvania University, where he plans to major in Education. Ryan earned two varsity soccer letters and four varsity volleyball letters for the Eagles. The Eagle defender was a part of a starting back line that limited their opponents to only 12 goals in the 2008 season and 14 goals in the 2009 season. Ryan was part of the 2008 FAVC Buckeye Championship and regional runner-up squad. Max is the son of Kevin and Michelle Ryan. Congratulations!
Spring Parent-Player Meeting:
The boys’ soccer meeting must be moved to Wednesday, May 26 in the high school cafeteria at 7 pm. Please plan on sending one parent as well as the soccer player to the meeting. Paper work will be taken care of at the meeting and summer & fall schedules will be passed out.
Please contact croston_b@milfordschools.org if you have any questions. |
