End of the year letter to players

Dear Oriole, (Sample Letter)
I wish to take this opportunity to share some thoughts with you, as the season is now complete for 2004.
As you know, our won-lost record was not sufficient to land us a playoff birth. In looking at the reasons for this result, it is pretty clear that our lack of size and strength really were the two biggest factors, and our work ethic and intensity were sadly lacking.

These areas can all become positives for us next season, if you the players, each determine in his heart that you really want to work to get better. A man small in stature and who makes up for his lack of size by being really weak, is not going to help us. An athlete must learn to play the hand that he has been dealt when it comes to the size issue. A man is no longer considered in that light when he comes onto the practice field next year sporting twenty pounds of rock hard muscle that he got the old fashioned way (he worked for it all summer in the weight room!) his feet like lightening because along with the weights he jumped rope and worked the dots five days a week all summer long! When he partakes in the first scrimmage next season, the whole offensive unit is locating him on every play because they don't want to be hit by exploding thunder under their chin straps! When everyone on the squad is saying; Wow! Will you look at Joe! He is dynamite! Joe can feel very justified in the fact that the statement that there is nothing like old fashioned hard work to get you ready for this game, is very very true!!! Are you a worker or a shirker? Are you all show and no go? Big talk will never replace talent and a hard, dedicated, athlete who is sold out to team goals!!! The time for slackers is over. If we are to win, we all must dedicate ourselves to a new level of intensity and concentration in our PREPARATION.
Remember, the will to simply win pales in comparison to the will to PREPARE to win.

I want to say to the departing seniors, I am glad to have been your coach. I sincerely hope that your experience on this football team wil serve as a positive influence on you for the years that lie ahead.

To our returning athletes, I want to offer you all of the encouragement that our assistant coaches and myself can possibly muster, and to promise that if you will dedicate yourself to the work regimen of the summer months our season won't end this early next season.

Sincerely In Football,
Coach

I'm having a meeting the day the players turn in their equipment. I've invited every potential player in grades 8-11 to attend. I know that this beats a letter. Good luck.

The former Baylor coach mentioned is Grant Teaff.

As the head coach in my program I award Varsity letters based upon 150% effort throughout the entire season. Not every player can be on the field but every player has a role on the team may not be as a starter but as a back-up. A back-up is just as important as a starter because you have a hard time practicing without them. A kid must understand his role within the team. Would look forward to discussing this topic further. Coach CAmpbell

coach,

can you please email me a copy of the letter as well!

thanks! jetsweep78@hotmail.com