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- History of Marsh Creek Eagles
- Coaching Philosophy
- Snack Bar Policy
- Volunteer Screening Policy
History of Marsh Creek Eagles
It began as a dream of two fathers dedicated to their family and the community, driven to
create a youth football program that would envelope the qualities of team spirit, commitment, discipline, and community involvement. Through their dedication
and hard work, they began the Marsh Creek Football Organization in 1994. This is their story and the birth of a great youth football program known as
The Marsh Creek Eagles.
Mike Biffel and Dan Driscoll, long time residents of the Marsh Creek area, each had children who loved to play football. In the fall of 1993, they
registered their children in a local youth football program. During that first season, both Mike and Dan recognized the strengths and weaknesses of
this program. With the desire to start their own youth football program, they were advised that there were no openings available to start a youth
weighted program in our area. However, it was suggested to them that they should contact the Director of the (former) BCFL (Berks County Football League)
and inquire about openings in the un-weighted league. Lady Luck was on their side that fateful day when they called. The BCFL advised them that indeed
there was one opening. All they had to do was generate enough registrations for three teams. One Knee High team of 7 and 8 yr olds, one Mite Team of 9
and 10 yr olds, and one Midget Team of 11 and 12 yr olds. "By the way", the league director mentioned, "we need to have the registrations back in two
weeks." So, with only two son's willing to register, Mike and Dan called every neighbor, friend and foe, they knew who had a child, age eligible to
play football.
Two weeks later, The Marsh Creek Eagles was formed, and admitted into the BCFL. The Creek, as they became known, had a mixed bag of
players that inaugural year. Mike Biffel coached 20 Kneehighs to a 4-5 record. Dan Driscoll coached 20 Mites to the playoffs with a 7-3 record, and 15
Midget players won 1 game under the direction of Willy Tolbert. Everyone played, and most important of all, everyone had lots of fun. Word quickly
spread about this new youth football program, playing out of Hickory Park. A program based on providing fundamental instruction that encourages team
spirit, discipline, grit and the ability to challenge each player to perform to their highest level of excellence. The following year, Marsh Creek grew
to 125 players. Today, Marsh Creek Eagles is anticipating a record growth for 2003 of 30%, and expects to have more than 500 players participating in the
Flag, Football and Cheerleading programs in the fall.
Our home field for the last ten years has been Hickory Park. It has served us well. There are many memorable moments and games that have been won and
lost on that field. It is where the Marsh Creek Football Program began. We are hopeful that by the 2005 Season, we will be playing on our own Field
of Dreams, Fellowship Field on Route 100, but we will never forget how and where it all began.
Today, Marsh Creek is more than just a youth football program. Mike and Dan's dream for the pursuit of an exceptional youth football program has
evolved into a cooperative spirit of families working together as volunteers for the betterment of our community. The Marsh Creek Eagles program over
the last ten years has established itself as a powerhouse of exceptional players who exemplify integrity, respect and the willingness to achieve
their personal best on and off the field. Collectively, the children and families of our community will continue to remain focus and steadfast in
keeping Mike and Dan's dream alive.
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Coaching Philosophy
Marsh Creek has grown rapidly in both youth membership and in the adult
leadership who support our programs. Marsh Creek Eagles coaches adhere
to the following coaching philosophy:
- Keep focused on our main objective: To provide our children with a positive
experience in football.
- Teach through positive reinforcement.
- Encourage that through hard work and the desire of not giving up, anything
can be achieved.
- Motivate and challenge all of the children on a team.
- Involve parents of the children as much as possible.
- Teach football fundamentals through Marsh Creek Eagles systems to enable a
good foundation for future years.
- Be competitive but fair, be aggressive but respectful, be tough but
compassionate and maintain balance in your coaching.
- Win or lose, keep it fun and help explain the lessons along the way.
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Snack Bar Policy
We operate our snack bar as a convenience to the spectators, but also as a
major source of funds for the organization. To make sure that we are able
to operate the facility properly, we have developed a Snack Bar Policy.
Please review the policy, evaluate your own schedule and be prepared to
fulfill your obligation at a time that is best for you.
As an organization,
we are fortunate to have this source of funds; and that we are not forced to
always be asking our membership to be out selling and/or soliciting in your
neighborhoods. Working in the Snack Bar is a great way to raise some of the
funds that we need and to also meet other Marsh Creek families.
This policy has been developed to ensure that the Snack Bar is, at all times,
well staffed during the scheduled operating hours. It also clearly defines
the responsibility of every Marsh Creek member to that staffing schedule.
- Volunteers will be scheduled from Monday thru Friday.
- No M.C.E. member will be asked to work on game days.
- Scheduling will occur at the first team meeting. Each team is responsible
for a full week during the season.
- At the first team meeting, you may select a time that is most convenient
for you. If you are not at that meeting, your name, with the others who are
absent, will be placed in a container. As those names are drawn, they will
be added to complete the volunteer roster for the committed week.
Those
volunteers will be advised of the date and time that they have been scheduled
to staff the Snack Bar.
- If you are unable to fulfill your obligation as scheduled, you must find
an alternate. Failure to replace yourself will prevent your child from playing
in the following weekend game. It is necessary to enforce this ruling to remain
fair to all volunteers.
Because only 15 people are needed to staff the Snack Bar each week, not
everyone will be assigned. To make it convenient for you and to not leave
it up to chance, volunteer when you know that you will be available.
Please
remember that this organization is run completely by volunteers.
All of our
lives are busy, by doing your fair share, no one person will be overly burdened.
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Volunteer Screening Policy
Marsh Creek is following the national trend of requiring background checks
on all adults who are involved with children. We conduct a search on all
volunteers who have routine access to our children. A person can be
disqualified and prohibited from participating in our organization if they
are found to have any of the following situations in their background check:
- Convicted of a crime of child abuse, sexual abuse of a minor, physical
abuse, causing a child's death, neglect of a child, murder, manslaughter,
felony assault, any assault against a minor, kidnapping, arson, criminal
sexual conduct, prostitution related crimes or controlled substance crimes.
- Being adjudged liable for civil penalties or damages involving sexual or
physical abuse of a child.
- Being subject to any court order involving any sexual or physical abuse
of a minor; including but not limited to domestic order or protection.
- Had their parental rights terminated.
- A history with another organization of complaints of sexual or physical
abuse of minors.
- A history of other behavior that indicates that they may be a danger to
children in the Marsh Creek Eagles football program.
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