Our mission is "To help student-athletes take responsibility for their futures through lessons learned on the playing field, in the classroom, and in service to others."

Seasons Greetings! I hope that you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.

Please take the time to enjoy this month's Extra Point.

Thank you and good luck the rest of the year.

Len Stachitas

Executive Director, Play It Smart

Vice President, National Football Foundation

Student Athlete of the Month

Each month Play It Smart schools recognize a student-athlete of the month. This student-athlete of the month is an individual who has achieved on and off the playing field.

Click here to see the Student-Athletes for the Month of November Don't see your school represented? Make sure you recognize a student-athlete for the month of December. Submissions are due by the December 26th.

From the student-athlete of the month pool, Play It Smart will elect one student-athlete as the Play It Smart National Co-Captain. The Co-Captain best personifies excellence in the classroom, on the field, and in the community.

For excellence in the classroom, on the field, and in service to others.

RODNEY SMITH
Play It Smart
National Co-Captain

Click here to read about Rodney

Dallas Cowboys' Terence Newman Donates $10,000 to Play It Smart

Terence Newman became interested in being a role model as a high school student-athlete after a wonderful mentoring experience from a friend's Rising Star Foundation father - Cornell Hutton.

The lessons learned during those earlier rambunctious days and the watchful guidance of Hutton is now paying dividends for 10 Dallas area ninth grade football student-athletes and the highly acclaimed National Football Foundation's Play It Smart Program.
Click here to read the full story

2008 Play It Smart Annual Conference: Texas Style.

They say that everything is bigger in Texas. So it Texas should be of no surprise that the 2008 Play It Smart conference, which is anticipated to be the largest conference to date, will be held in the Big "D". Dallas, Texas will play host to the 2008 Play It Smart National Conference to be held July 23^rd-27^th (please mark your calendars). Administrators, Athletic Directors, and Academic Coaches stay tuned as more information will follow the holiday break.

Important Grant Disbursement Information

Play It Smart will holiday wreath be releasing the second Academic Coach Grant disbursement earlier than the previously stated January 15, 2008 date. In order to receive the second disbursement ahead of schedule, schools must be sure that they have submitted and completed all of the following information:

Proof of payment made to Academic Coach
- Copy of the cancelled grant disbursement check (front and back), along with a certification letter from the Academic Coach stating the date and the amount that was paid, OR
- Payroll stubs
PACE submitted and updated
ORBIT updated
- Roster inputted and updated
- School Academic Data Sheet must be submitted
- Personal Student Data Sheets must be submitted
- School and Academic Coach Contact information must be complete.

If you have not submitted the required information please do this sooner than later to ensure that the funds can be issued to your school in a timely fashion. If you have any questions or concerns please give your Fellow/Program Officer a call, they will be able to assist you. Thank you.

Is Bigger Really Better?

Sometimes bigger is not better. The New York Times takes a look at a growing problem among high school athletes.

"Putting on Weight for Football Glory"

IMPORTANT CLEARINGHOUSE INFORMATION

FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENT-ATHLETES

HOW TO FINALIZE THE NCAA AMATUERISM Buckingham Students Read QUESTIONNAIRE AND REQUEST FINAL CERTIFICATION

How does a prospective student-athlete submit the finalized version of his or her answers to the online amateurism questionnaire so that an amateurism certification can begin and a final decision can be rendered?

Login to your NCAA Clearinghouse record by entering your SSN or Clearinghouse ID and PIN number.
Choose ENTER/UPDATE AMATEUR QUESTIONNAIRE from tabs on left side of page.
On the WELCOME PAGE, move the scroll bar to bottom of page. Choose FINAL AUTHORIZATION SIGNATURE.
READ the NCAA 10.1 Ethical Conduct Statement page carefully. Check the "I AGREE" box and type name in appropriate spaces provided.
Prospects under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian sign this page as well.
Choose SUBMIT.

Once a prospective student-athlete submits his or her final authorization, the answers cannot be changed or modified. At this time, the registrant will be positioned to receive a final amateurism certification as soon as possible.

Complete amateurism questionnaire and sign the final authorization signature online on or after April 1 if you are expecting to enroll in college in the fall semester. (If you are expecting to enroll for spring semester, sign the final authorization signature on or after October 1 of the year prior to enrollment.

https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/common/

2007 Sideline Report

Champs Thophy The 2007 football season has been filled with many 'firsts' and 'bests' for many of our Play It Smart schools. For others, it has been a season to continue to celebrate traditions of the past, or a year of transition and one to build upon. But for all of our Play It Smart schools no matter their win/loss record or the titles they claimed this season, it has been a season for student-athletes to grow as part of a team as well as individuals.

At press time these are schools that have reported their efforts on the field. While each may not be reported we congratulate you on the season that was (or still is) and we wish you all the best during your off season programs, remember football may be over but academics are everlasting!

Click here to see how the teams did!

And the Game Ball goes to....

Each month "The Extra Point" will award "Game Balls" to schools and students who exemplify responsibility by serving their community.

A Game Ball goes to South San Francisco HS in South San Francisco, CA. The Warrior football program started an "Outstanding Warrior Program" which recognizes students for good citizenship, respect, and performing a good deeds in the school. The program has been so successful that it has spread to the rest of the student body.

A Game Ball goes to Somerville High School in Somerville, MA. The Highlanders were awarded the District B Sportsmanship Award from the MIAA, the governing body for high school athletics in Massachusetts. It was the first time in the schools history that Somerville recieved this honor.

A Game Ball goes to the New England Patriots. The Patriots donate in-season tickets to Play It Smart schools Madison Park, O'Bryant, Somerville, Central Falls, and Hope High school consistently through-out the regular season. At the recent Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles game twelve tickets were donated to at least three Play It Smart schools.

The Patriots also coordinate a community service event at the Pine Street Inn, one of the largest homeless shelters in the Boston area. They invite players from the Boston area Play It Smart schools (Madison Park, O'Bryant, Somerville) to attend this event to help feed the hungry.

KEEP UP THE EXCELLENT WORK!!!

"Play It Smart Conducts Final 2007-08 Training in New Haven, CT"

On the hallowed grounds of the prestigious Yale University 15 Academic Coaches from

Alabama, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Rhode Island were blessed into the Play It Smart family. All the participants were New Haven Training 2 put through the "How to Play It Smart" basics and were able to work together to charge their batteries and strategically plan for the upcoming months while getting a firm grasp of the inner workings of Play It Smart and things that they could do to make the Play It Smart Program at their school successful.

"I really enjoyed the training in New Haven. It was an excellent way to meet other coaches and share ideas on how to implement a successful program in our schools." says Richara Richardson, Academic Coach at Aiken HS in Cincinnati, OH. "The most helpful part of training was the small group 6-week planning exercise, all of the information was useful that was delivered and I am currently using the information as a resource to develop a great program."

"Connecting our Academic Coaches to the Play It Smart peer network is one of the most valuable things about our program and training sessions," said Jeff McCann, Director of Training and Curriculum Development. "We have so many talented people with different skills and backgrounds it becomes tremendously helpful to create the opportunities to bring them together."

"I really enjoyed having a chance to meet some of the other Academic Coaches and get a feel for how they are running things," added Tara Williams, Academic Coach at Commerce HS in Springfield, MA, of the opportunity to collaborate with other Academic Coaches.

The training was further enhanced by the participation of some local veterans of the Play It Smart program. Hillhouse High School Head Coach Tom Dyer and Academic Coach Gary Moore lent their time and talents for the some of the training sessions. Dyer put the Academic Coaches through an experiential life skills program and it was truly a value for the new Academic Coaches to see first hand the benefits of a hands-on head coach who has completely embraced the program philosophy and ideals.

Now that they have further exposures to one of the nation's most successful youth development programs, these Academic Coaches are ready to hit the ground running. Please join us in welcoming the newest members of the Play It Smart family:

Rubin Grant - Wenonah HS, Birmingham, AL

Shannon Guest - South Shore HS, Chicago, IL

Lekisha Barnaby- Central HS, Capitol Heights, MD

Brian Stewart- Madison Park HS, Madison Park, MA

Trina Palmer and Zach Osteen- Central HS, Springfield, MA

Tara Williams and Heather Hogan- Commerce HS, Springfield, MA

Andrea Hoyle and Julie Rallo- Asbury Park HS, Asbury Park, NJ

Rashaun Jarvis- Weequachic HS, Newark, NJ

Jerone Pettus- Roosevelt HS, New York, NY

Kara Tloczkowski- Bayside HS, Queens, NY

Richara Richardson-Aiken HS, Cincinnatti, OH

Achille Yangambi, Hope HS, Providence, RI

Play It Smart would like extend warm gratitude to the Yale Athletic Department staff for their support in assisting with all expected and unexpected aspects of the training and making the two day event a success!

Play It Smart Alums in Receiving Mood

Ray Rice, Vontae Davis, and DeSean Jackson are hoping to receive postseason awards for their performance during the 2007 college football season.

The end of the college football season means that the season for giving has arrived, and in the world of college football the season of giving and receiving extends beyond turkeys, holiday wreaths, or gifts from Santa to include some of the most prized trophies in the game, and a few Play It Smart graduates may have to clear a spot on their mantle as contenders to receive some of college gridiron's most precious hardware.

Rutgers' Ray Rice (New Rochelle HS, New Rochelle, NY) has been named a finalist for the Doak Walker Award which is given to the best running back in the nation. In 2007, Rice has accumulated 1,612 yards on 315 carries and 17 touchdowns. The junior tailback has also caught 23 receptions for 234 yards and one touchdown. He leads the Big East in rushing and ranks third nationally in total rushing yards and rushing yards per game. Rice, the leading rushing in Rutgers history, was named as named a semi-finalist for the award in the 2006. The award will be announced on December 6, 2007 at The ESPNU Home Deport College Football Awards

Rice was also named a semi-finalist for the 2007 Maxwell Award (given to the best overall player in college football player) and the 2007 Walter Camp Player of the Year Award. Rice finished third in 2006 for the Maxwell Award.

Illinois' Vontae Davis (Dunbar HS, Washington DC) was named as semi-finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation's top defensive back. Davis, who didn't appear on the pre-season watch list, has been the cornerstone of the Illini secondary. On the season, Davis recorded four interceptions and eight pass deflections. The sophomore cornerback ranks fifth on the Illini defense in tackles with 63 tackles and two blocked field goals.

California's DeSean Jackson (Long Beach Poly HS, Long Beach, CA) was named as a semi-finalist for the Fred Biletnikoff, which is given to the nation's top wide receiver. Jackson has hauled in 60 passes for 681 yards and five touchdowns. The junior has gained 942 yards and seven touchdowns on the season.

"These players have had excellent seasons, we wished them all the luck on the rest of the season and congratulate on their performance this season," said Len Stachitas, Executive Director of Play It Smart and NFF Vice President.

Sideline Chatter....

What's all the chatter about? Sideline Chatter is an opportunity for Academic Coaches and school officials to share there expertise with others.

This month's guest columnist share with us tips and strategies that help to get a newly created Play It Smart program off and running.

We hope that the Chatter is useful to you in your school. If you have something that you like to share please let us know, we would love to hear what you have to say.

Thank you to our guest columnist Alexis Yancy:

"HARVESTING A NEW PLAY IT SMART PROGRAM"

playitsmartgradyknights@yahoo.com

As with anything that is new and unpaved, there is a sense of anxiety and a slight pressure to make the Play It Smart program at a new school the best that it can possibly be. As many know, the Southeast is known as football country and with roughly 95 football players comprising an Atlanta high school football team, I knew that this venture would require much time, sanity and patience. Along with patience, there must be a mental preparation and acceptance of the ups and downs that accompany an in-depth process such as implementing a program that will be tailored to the needs of a rather large group of student-athletes.

Click here to read full story

Thank you for taking the time to read The Extra Point. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Sincerely,

Play It Smart Staff

The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame, Inc.

If your going to play...

PLAY IT SMART