First Game

After a bit of last minute scrambling, I have everyone's player passes and am ready for the first game. Are you?
Let's all be there at 3:15 for warm-ups and line-ups. The address is available above by clicking on the calendar. All of you have told me you'll be there so we'll have substitutes to get us through the game.

Prior to the start of the game, there will be a referee-led minute of silence to offer respect for those who lost loved ones during 9/11. Please prepare your child for this by talking a bout what happened back when they were one or two. I enclose below an excerpt from an e-mail describing what to expect during this moment.

Bring a ball to the game in case we beat Julio there so they can warm up.

My phone number is (973) 768-3831 in case there are any last minute problems.

I will be calling the opposing coach later tonight to verify all the arrangements and will post tomorrow in case anything changes.

Get the boys to bed early so they're well-rested tomorrow. Let's all have a great game. Remember we are focusing on staying on your side of the field, left or right, if you are a forward and marking the left-most forward if you are left full-back and right-most if you are right full-back. Feel free to remind your sons of that assignment.

Here's the excerpt about 9/11. It is addressed to the referees:

The procedure is simple.  As you (the referee) check the teams in, remind the coaches they are to do everything they can to make their kids understand they need to be as attentive as they can make them.  As soon as you are done and prepared to kick-off you will do the following:

With you in the lead, the teams will walk out TOGETHER BUT IN SINGLE FILE from their sides of the field to the center circle area and face the parents.  The teams can line up in a straight line or around the center circle, each sharing their half of the field.  It will probably be easier to get them in a straight line.  You can move them closer to the parents half of the field if you like.

With the coaches on the outsides and you as the officials in the center of the players, you will announce to the parents that the NCSA would like to have a moment of silence.  BE BRIEF, but speak loudly for all to hear.  When you are done with your announcement, you will blow your whistle, bow your head and look down at your watch and let it run 30 seconds.  Make sure you look DOWN and make no other eye contact until you are done.  If you do not want to bow your head or ask everyone to, you can just ask them to close their eyes while we remember those that perished.  At 30 seconds, you'll look up, say thank you, blow your whistle a second time, and we'll be set to play.  Advise the teams that when the second whistle is blown ending the Moment of Silence only the starting line up players stay on the field.  All other players return to the bench.