TACKLE PROGRAM

tackle@mokenaburros.com

2008 Cleveland Varsity Football Trip/ Midwest National Youth
Football Championships Information Here

Download Varsity Trip Permission Slip

(click here)

2008 Varsity Trip Information

 
  • Where: Cleveland, OH
  • When: November 28th - 30th
  • Play 1 game Friday and 1 game Saturday
  • Hotel: Embassy Suites in Beachwood, OH
  • Extra cost....yes, probably around $100.00.  More details to come on this.
  • Mandatory....No
  • 4 boys and 1 chaperone to a room
  • Rooms have 2 beds and a pullout sofa sleeper
  • Want to be a Chaperone?  Let your team parent know.
  • Food? More details to come on this, but yes they will eat. :)
 
 

Embassy Suites Beachwood, OH Reservation Information Click Here

There is a seperate block of rooms for Friends and Family of the Ted Ginn Grid Iron Classic.  Parents can make their own reservations by calling 1-800-317-1960 or go online put in your dates (Fri. 11/28 and Sat. 11/29) and then put in the Group/Convention Code TGF. There are only King beds available with pullout sofa sleeper.  Please be aware that this is a limited block of rooms for all parents from any teams that may be staying at this hotel.  Make your reservations early.

www.embassysuites.com 

3775 Park East Drive
Beachwood, Ohio, USA, 44122
1-216-765-8066

 
 

 Hilton Cleveland East /Beachwood Reservations Here

The Hilton is right next door to the Embassy Suites.  Several parents stayed here last year and seemed very pleased with their accommodations.  This is an alternative if there are no rooms left at the Embassy Suites.

3663 Park East Drive, Beachwood, Ohio, 44122
Tel: 1-216-464-5950   Fax: 1-216-464-6539

 

  

 John Carroll University Football Stadium Driving Directions from 3775 Park East Dr, Beachwood, OH to Carroll Blvd & S Belvoir Blvd, University Heights, OH

 Case Western Reserve University Football Stadium Driving Directions from 3775 Park East Dr, Beachwood, OH to Euclid Ave & E 118th St, Cleveland, OH

 Collinwood Athletic Complex Driving Directions from 3775 Park East Dr, Beachwood, OH to 1070 E 152nd St, Cleveland, OH

 Fairview Park High School Football Field Driving Directions from 3775 Park East Dr, Beachwood, OH to 4507 W 213th St, Cleveland, OH

 

Mokena Burros Football Program Mission Statement

The mission of the Burros Tackle Football program is to teach children ages 8-14 the basics and fundamentals of football while promoting self confidence, good sportsmanship, camaraderie, physical, and mental development.  Pee Wee through Varsity play in a competitive environment while the Widget level focuses on development.

 

Eligibility

  • Participants must reside within the boundaries set forth by the Southwest Midget Football League.
  • All boys in widget and peewee division must be 8 years old by September 1, lightweight and heavyweight cannot have reached their 15th birthday by December 1 or be in the 9th grade.
  • Registration is on a first come first served basis, with alumni receiving priority, so that as many children as possible can participate.  A waiting list will be established after maximum registration is reached at each level.  Maximum registration shall be determined by the Athletic Director (AD) each year.
  • Players must show proof of age by submitting a birth certificate copy to remain on file with the Burros.  This is a league requirement.
  • All players must be present at registration to be weighed and sized for jerseys.

 

Team Placement

The Southwest Midget Football League regulates teams.  Age and weight classifications are strictly enforced as follows.

 

Blue Widget – 8 and 9 year olds   ...................................... up to 80 pounds

Black Widget – 8 and 9 year olds  ..................................... up to 80 pounds

Blue Pee Wee – 10 year olds  ............................................ up to 90 pounds

Black Pee Wee – 11 years olds  ...................................... up to 100 pounds

Blue Lightweight – 12 year olds  ....................................... up to 110 pounds

Varsity Lightweight – 13 and 14 year olds  ....................... up to 120 pounds

Varsity Heavyweight – 13 and 14 year olds  ..................... up to 170 pounds

Note:  Age is determined by the child’s age as of September 1 of the current year.

 

Official Weigh-in

There will be 2 official league weigh-ins that the football players must attend.  The first weigh-in will be before the first regular season game and the second will be before the sixth game.  Each player must wear his/her 2007 game jersey to the weigh–in.

 

  • It is the parent’s responsibility to make sure that the child attends the official weigh-in at the beginning and middle of the season.  Failure to attend weigh-in may result in game suspensions or being completely dropped from the roster.  This is a league rule.  No refunds will be issued.  Check the Burros Calendar of Events for specific dates/times.  Weigh-in is always held before the 1st game and 6th game of the season.
  • No child can be moved to a team that exceeds his/her age and/or weight classification, unless he/she has permission by his/her parents and the Athletic Director.  The AD should then bring this issue to the Board of Directors.  A mutual decision as to what is best for the player will be discussed.  If the decision is for the child to be moved to a team that exceeds his/her weight, the parents will then be notified and will sign waivers of insurance and responsibility.
  • The Mokena Youth Athletic Association, Burros Football, does not condone any weight loss.
  • Players not making weight (being over the maximum for the team they are rostered on) at the first weigh-in will have the opportunity to play on a heavier weight team (if available), but only with the permission of the parent/guardian, and approval of the Athletic Director.
  • Players not making weight at the second weigh-in, will forfeit their playing privileges.  No refunds will be issued.
  • Any Varsity Heavy player not making weight (160 lbs) at either weigh-in will be removed from the roster and required to turn in their equipment.  No refunds will be issued.

 

JR Teams

Due to the growth of some programs within the Southwest Midget Football Association, some towns may participate in expanded teams in certain age groups.  The Burros has participated in a Blue Pee Wee Jr., Black PeeWee Jr., and Blue Lightweight Jr. programs for the past several years.  These teams were formed to reduce the size of the regular PeeWee and Lightweight teams and allows us to enroll more players. Yearly registration numbers from the Burros as well as all participating towns will dictate whether or not these teams will be formed and at which age/weight groups.  If these Jr. teams are formed, here are the guidelines by which the Burros will fill these teams:

  • All first year Burros players will automatically be put on a Jr. Team if there is one at their age/weight level.
  • Any player who is playing above their age level due to weight will automatically be put on a Jr. Team if there is one at their age/weight level.
  • In order to balance the Team size, the Coaches will evaluate returning players.  Upon Coach discretion, and with the approval of the AD, other players may be moved to a Jr. Team if there is one at their age/weight level.
  • Again this year, the league has decided that the 12 year old Blue Lightweight Jr. team will be formed based upon ability and at the coach’s discretion along with AD approval.  This is due to the fact that many towns do not have enough new players at this age level. Thus, in order to remain competitive at this level, the Burros will be following this league direction.
  • The league does not allow children classified as over/under to play on a Jr. Team.

 

Participation

  • A player cannot be dropped from a Team for any reason unless there is board approval.
  • All participants are required to attend Friday practices (or the last practice before a game).  Un-excused absences will be addressed in the following manner:
    • Football players - cannot participate in the opening series of the game.  For offensive players this would mean the first offensive series.  For defensive players this would mean the first defensive series.  For players playing both ways this would mean no participation in both the first offensive and defensive series.
  • Attendance will be taken at all practices and games.
  • Each parent must sign a Burros Parent/Player Code of Participation form stating that they have read and agree to this Code of Participation.  The Pee Wee through Varsity levels are competitive and playing time is earned.  The Widget level will emphasize development of skill and strive to have a consistent rotation of players during the games.

 

Games

Game schedules will be handed out as soon as the Southwest Midget Football League establishes them.  You can most likely expect one preseason game, ten regular season games and a possible end-of season game.  Depending upon the team, your game day may vary.  Most games are played on Saturday; however, Sunday games and weeknight games are a possibility.  Players and parents need to be flexible as changes to the schedule may occur.

 

Practice

Practices will be held at Mokena’s Main Park on LaPorte Road.  Depending upon the team, you may be required to practice at another park at various times throughout the season.  Practices will be 5 nights per week from 5:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. during the month of August.  Once school starts, practices will be reduced to 3 nights per week.  Exact practice dates will be dependant upon your team and will be staggered to alleviate congestion at the Park.  Practice times will change as the season progresses according to daylight hours.

Uniforms and Equipment

Equipment

Each football player will be issued equipment, including all required pads and black socks.  Equipment hand out will be on July 26th.  You will be notified of the exact date and location.  Your child will be fitted at that time for proper size.  Pads will be used for practice and games.  In addition to the equipment we provide, your football player will need:

  • Good fitting spikes (no metal or screw-in types)
  • Football Girdle (For sanitary reasons, football players are now required to purchase this.  These will be available for purchase at equipment hand-out.)
  • Jock strap and cup
  • Tee shirt or jersey to wear over their pads during practice.  (Practice jerseys will be available for purchase at equipment hand-out.)
  • Tee shirt to wear under their pads when the weather turns cold

 

  • Any lost, damaged or non-returned equipment will be billed at the current replacement cost.  If equipment is not returned or paid for, a family is ineligible to play until restitution is made.  No awards or trophies will be awarded if equipment is not turned in before date due or banquet.  Anyone who returns equipment any later than 30 days after the due date or does not return all issued equipment without making immediate restitution, will not be allowed to sign up the following year unless a full equipment deposit is made for the full cost of all equipment (refundable when all equipment is turned in.)
  • Uniforms must be clean and look presentable in order to participate in activities on game day.  Players must wear black over the calf socks for games.  A pair will be issued to each player at equipment hand-out.
  • Children MUST wear Burros-issued equipment for both practices and games.  Any player found to have altered or not have the proper equipment will not be able to participate in practices and games.
  • The Equipment Director will distribute game jerseys during practice prior to the pre-season game.  All equipment is to be kept in good condition.  Any problems should be reported to the Equipment Director immediately.

 

COACHES CODE OF CONDUCT

  • To teach and instruct players in strict adherence to the objectives in article 1 of the Mokena Youth Athletic Association bylaws.
Objective:  To promote and instill self confidence, good sportsmanship, camaraderie, physical and mental development while learning the techniques of football and cheerleading.

 

  • To attend practices and games on time or make provisions to have suitable replacement personnel attending in your place.
  • To always remember that you are instructing young athletes and your instruction must be geared for youth in regards to language and physical instruction.
  • To teach the game of football in a tough, intense manner, without instructing purposeful injuring or “loop holing" rules of play.
  • To adhere to the laws of the Mokena Park District in regards to traffic, field usage, alcohol/tobacco usage.   This also applies to other Parks and Facilities that we visit while on the road.
  • To always try to be a positive influence on those we instruct and make their time in our program a fun and enjoyable experience.