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."

We hope that the year has gotten off to a great start for you.

We have added a new section to The Extra Point called Inside the Huddle. The purpose of this section to provide you with tools that will help you deal with the problems and challenges that face our student-athletes today.

Please enjoy and feel free to provide us with feedback.

Sincerely,

Len

Student-Athletes 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 January Don't see your school represented? Make sure you recognize a student-athlete for the month of Feburary. Submissions are due by the Feburary 21st.

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.

Jules Szanton

Play It Smart National Co-Captains

Currently a junior at Portland High School in Maine, Jules Szanton has excelled academically and been a strong offensive lineman for the Bulldogs. Jules has taken AP classes for the past three years and has maintained an "A" average. With Head Coach Mike Bailey and Academic Coach Audrey McKenzie helping to foster his academic and athletic growth, Jules continues to be a rock in the school, on the football team and the Portland Youth Rugby team. Participating in all Play It Smart events and activities, Jules is an excellent example of what Play It Smart represents.

Click here to read to continuing about Jules

Story by Kydani Dover,
National Football Foundaton Fellow
Play It Smart Program Officer

2008 Play It Smart Conference Information

The 2008 Play It Smart National Conference will be held July 23^rd-27^th, 2008 at the Sheraton in Arlington, TX. Please stay tuned for more Buckingham Students Read important information regarding this year's conference. Trust us you DON'T want to miss this conference.

2008-2009 Application Process

Charles Gomes
Chief Operating Officer
Play It Smart

Jay Alford

Super Bowl XLII Champion Jay Alford graduate of Penn State and Play It Smart Alum(Orange HS/Orange, NJ)

New Schools:

Play It Smart is accepting applications from schools who would like to be a member in the Play It Smart program. For schools not currently in the program Step I of the application is now available. Please click here to view and complete the application. The application must be submitted by February 15, 2008.

Existing Schools:

The deadline for STEP II is April 1, 2008; all schools that would like to continue membership in Play It Smart for 2008-09 are required to complete this application. Applications can be mailed or faxed to our national office.

Also attached is a copy of our grant guidelines for you to reference when completing the application. As you are aware, an important excerpt to note from the grant guidelines:

"Beginning in the third year of program implementation, schools/school districts are expected to fund the Academic Coach position. Current member schools may apply for continued funding from Play It Smart beyond the second year, but receipt of such funding is not guaranteed. Priority consideration is given to schools that have a demonstrated financial need AND have made effort to seek sustained funding outside of national resources."

Recently Play It Smart has been successful at partnering with several school districts to fund local programs, and we are excited about the possibilities for future partnerships with other schools/districts as well. As school boards and districts become more aware of Play It Smart's various components and significant results, they have understood the significant return they receive for their investment in the program. We encourage schools to take action in communicating with their school boards and districts about the need for Play It Smart programming in their community. Please feel free to contact me if we can be of assistance in your efforts to connect with school district officials in your area.

We expect the 2008-09 application process to be highly competitive, as we received approximately 200 applications last year. This spring we will review each school application and evaluate their program's compliance with Play It Smart expectations and guidelines from previous years. This process will help determine which schools will receive Play It Smart grants and services for the upcoming academic year. All schools will be notified of their application status by May 15, 2008.

"The best way to get something done is to begin."

Parental Involvement

-Feedback from parents of Play It Smart participants at Portland HS (Maine)

From a parent's point of view, I have found the Play It Smart program to be a valuable tool in guiding my sports-centered son on what is important in high school besides his three sports. Through this program he has completed community service work, learned what effects drugs and alcohol can have on an athlete, had to keep his grades up as they were monitored and reported home, learned that asking for help is okay, has had a safe place at school to ask questions, learned what it takes to be a leader and role model and grown up as a young man. Teenagers are always not great at communicating with parents or taking direction from parents, however, this program has really bridged that gap for us as he is getting this information from two sources - the program and us.

I would be remiss if I did not give credit to the program administrator. Audrey has been outstanding at keeping this program in the fore front at Portland High School. The program was introduced and not forgotten. This is our third year of involvement. The program has been extremely organized and the communication on the program to the parents outstanding.

-Adele LeBorgne

Having my son, Teddy, participate in the "Play it Smart program" has been a very rewarding experience for him and our family. The combination of community service, academics, leadership, and sportsmanship prove to be a successful formula. However, this formula doesn't work without the guidance and direction of a good leader and role model. Audrey truly defines the word "coach". She leads by example and displays the qualities and values that we all want instilled in our children: dedication, commitment, teamwork, compassion and friendship. Audrey is a very valuable resource for our children and the school.

I have seen my son and his peers grow academically and develop a sense of pride and accomplishment after volunteering in the community. I have seen Audrey embrace a remarkable program and make its success a priority. Having her involved with and readily available for my son always put my mind at ease. Thank you for all that Audrey and Play It Smart does!

-Julie Volger

Student-Athletes at George Washington HS (Philadelphia, PA) display certicifates after successful completion of a mentorship program.

Students can now submit their FAFSA.Please click here to visit their website.

The Impact of a Small Kindness

Leslie Kelly

Academic Coach

Ben Davis HS/Indianapolis, IN

One of the teachers at Ben Davis who is an interpreter for the deaf shared with me that the daughter of a friend thought our kicker, Ben Kissick, was wonderful. She didn't miss a game. As a special education student, she doesn't get much attention at her school (she is not in Wayne Township, our school district) from the mainstream students. I approached Ben and asked him if he could write a short note to her so she would have his autograph.

Well, the project grew. Her parents downloaded his picture from the school's website, printed it out in color, and framed it. The picture and card with his "autograph" were specially wrapped for Christmas morning. She has slept with the picture and autograph since Christmas. She had her "perfect Christmas."

Our players sometimes don't understand how a simple gesture can have a wonderful impact on someone who looks up to them. Thank you Ben!

Inside the Huddle:

The "Inside the Huddle" section is designed with Academic Coaches in mind. This section will provide coaches with notes and tools to develop the ideal game plan and tackle the issues that face you and your student-athletes. We hope that this section is an effective tool that you can benefit from.

Helping Students to become Motivated Learners

Kydani Dover
National Football Foundation Fellow
Play It Smart Program Officer

As academic coaches and mentors to student-athletes, our responsibility to assist kids in gaining an education is an important one. We not only have the responsibility to teach, but additionally to help our students learn. The more students recognize that we are supportive of their overall efforts, the more invested in their education they will be. Our encouragement as mentors has to be such that it encourages students to become self-motivated. Helping students to become motivated learners not only provides them with a sense of learning independence, but also the satisfaction of accomplishment when they do succeed. Creating an environment where students "know what is expected of them, think that their effort is worthwhile, and feel they will benefit from effective performance", generally enhances their motivation. The following article explains further how we as academic coaches, tutors, teachers, and mentors can foster the educational growth of our student-athletes by "praising" their efforts.

Click here to read article

PACE - Mid-Year Strategic Planning and Evaluating

Jeff McCann
Director of Training and Curriculum Development
Play It Smart

For many Play It Smart programs, the off-season transition can be quite challenging. Play It Smart student-athletes are often involved with other sports or other school activities, have to find employment, or may have family commitments now that the season is done.

This certainly can make planning different aspects of a program like study hall, test prep classes, life skills workshops, or community service initiatives difficult. Especially if there is not a collaborative team of coaches and administrators in place preparing to meet these challenges side by side with the Academic Coach and ensure that every participant on the football roster (Varsity, JV, and freshmen) is engaged in the program.

O.H. Platt HS Academic Coach Chris Jones

Click here to continue reading

SAT and ACT Test and Fee Waiver Information

Jeff McCann
Director of Training and Curriculum Development
Play It Smart

As noted in the previous article regarding PACE - Play It Smart member schools are setting high expectations when it comes to student-athletes taking the SAT or ACT by the spring of their junior year. We wanted to reference a few helpful links and articles as you prepare your student-athletes for the spring testing months

Below is a link to an archived article describing the importance of encouraging all of our student-athletes to take the SAT or ACT during their high school careers.

Click here to read article

Play It Smart Student-Athletes receive honor from Maxwell Football Club

Bernard Ford, Jr.
National Football Foundation Fellow
Play It Smart Program Officer

Andrew Goodman of George Washington HS (Philadelphia, PA) and Joseph Orlando of Liberty HS (Bethlehem, PA) were honored by the Maxwell Football Club of Philadelphia for the outstanding achievements in the community, on the playing field, and in the classroom. Each player received a "Mini-Max" for their achievements.Andrew is wide receiver and defensive back for the Eagles. He is ranked 8th in his graduating class of 452. Andrew Buckingham Students Read

has participated in many community service activities such as reading to elementary students and Red Cross Blood Drives. Andrew was a Play It Smart Student-Athlete of the Month for October 2007.

Andrew Goodman (Center) and Family

Joseph is also a wide receiver and defensive back for the Liberty HS Hurricanes. Joseph received 1st Team All Conference Honors for his play as a defensive back and 2nd team honors for his play as a wide receiver. Joseph is a volunteer with the Special Olympics and other activities.