I was going to write out this whole screed, but I changed my mind. Who needs it? I offer this instead.
2 comments:
Anonymous
said...
Mr. Menick,
I am going to post this anonymously for fear of retribution (although anyone who would be upset by my comments is too old to know how a keyboard works and I bet O'C could guess my identity within three tries, but whatever). First off, whatever you do, DO NOT JOIN THAT OTHER DISTRICT!!! It's terrible and as horrible as you think Ripon might be to you, that committee will make you feel like a 1st grade delinquint. They have never in my memory ever run a fair district tournament and the one thankful thing I have in life is that I will never be forced to coach a student in that district again. Trust me when I tell you that you are better off where you are now.
Second, and more importantly, there are a few loopholes in the NFL system I am not sure you are aware of. Unlike CFLs, which moronically is setup by the boundaries of the Catholic Church, NFL chapters are not forever bonded to their districts geographically. A program in Long Island or New Jersey or New Mexico could choose to move to the New York State district. You just need permission from both district chairs. That last little technicality is what prevented O'C from defecting to your neck of the woods a few years ago. There is a way around it but it is kind of a poison pill. You have to completely withdraw your membership for a year and not compete at the qualifier, then re-up with the new district. If you could convince a few Schools to give up districts for a year (maybe the schools who don't have much of a shot anyway), they can move to your district and give you the strength you need.
The other, more diplomatic solution also involves geography. There are many schools in NYCFL, BQCFL, and LIFA who think they would have to go to NYC and are either too intimidated or just don't want to deal with "The Five Families." These schools can join the NFL and REQUEST ON THE APPLICATIION to be placed in New York State and there is nothing NYC's committee can do about it. Reach out to these schools, especially NYUDL schools (who have had terrible experiences with NYC but I am sure would be more than happy for a legitimate shot at NFLs). The worst that could happen is they say no, but I think you may be pleasantly surprised.
I have always felt bad about your district's plight and If I could start my own program today I would start it in Southern NYCFL territory but I would fight to land in your district. I hope these ideas can help. Good luck.
2 comments:
Mr. Menick,
I am going to post this anonymously for fear of retribution (although anyone who would be upset by my comments is too old to know how a keyboard works and I bet O'C could guess my identity within three tries, but whatever). First off, whatever you do, DO NOT JOIN THAT OTHER DISTRICT!!! It's terrible and as horrible as you think Ripon might be to you, that committee will make you feel like a 1st grade delinquint. They have never in my memory ever run a fair district tournament and the one thankful thing I have in life is that I will never be forced to coach a student in that district again. Trust me when I tell you that you are better off where you are now.
Second, and more importantly, there are a few loopholes in the NFL system I am not sure you are aware of. Unlike CFLs, which moronically is setup by the boundaries of the Catholic Church, NFL chapters are not forever bonded to their districts geographically. A program in Long Island or New Jersey or New Mexico could choose to move to the New York State district. You just need permission from both district chairs. That last little technicality is what prevented O'C from defecting to your neck of the woods a few years ago. There is a way around it but it is kind of a poison pill. You have to completely withdraw your membership for a year and not compete at the qualifier, then re-up with the new district. If you could convince a few Schools to give up districts for a year (maybe the schools who don't have much of a shot anyway), they can move to your district and give you the strength you need.
The other, more diplomatic solution also involves geography. There are many schools in NYCFL, BQCFL, and LIFA who think they would have to go to NYC and are either too intimidated or just don't want to deal with "The Five Families." These schools can join the NFL and REQUEST ON THE APPLICATIION to be placed in New York State and there is nothing NYC's committee can do about it. Reach out to these schools, especially NYUDL schools (who have had terrible experiences with NYC but I am sure would be more than happy for a legitimate shot at NFLs). The worst that could happen is they say no, but I think you may be pleasantly surprised.
I have always felt bad about your district's plight and If I could start my own program today I would start it in Southern NYCFL territory but I would fight to land in your district. I hope these ideas can help. Good luck.
Well directed -- the pause after "Like what?" at 1:23 is perfect. Did Mr. Gilbert help you with this?
I was hoping for a climactic light saber duel at the end, though.
And yes, the regional disparity at NFL Nats is woeful.
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