FRIDAY 10/26: GMHS Young Patriots to Tailgate for Wounded Warriors

The George Mason Young Patriots of America will host a tailgate before the Mustangs’ home football game on Friday, October 26, to benefit the Wounded Warriors Project. The tailgate will begin at 6:30 pm and wrap up with kick-off. George Mason High School students and the Falls Church community as a whole are invited to attend. Hot barbecue and cold drinks will be available for purchase in front of the stadium. In addition, the Young Patriots will set up their custom-built stars-and-stripes cornhole game.

The George Mason Young Patriots of America Club is a patriotic group at George Mason High School that was started in April 2011. This will be the Young Patriots’ second barbecue fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior Project, and they are hoping to add to the $200 raised from the event held last spring.

“We decided to host another barbecue fundraiser because of the success of our first one. These events can really bring in money for Wounded Warriors,” said James Hickey, president and founder of the George Mason Young Patriots. “With an organization whose mission is as important and noble as Wounded Warriors’, every penny counts. My hope is that we can throw a great event for our school and the Falls Church community, while making a difference in the lives of those who have served our country.”

Anyone interested in helping the Young Patriots in this effort or any future projects should contact [email protected]. Follow the Young Patriots on Twitter at @GMYPat.

George Mason Names Tony Green as Head Football Coach

BY BRIAN SULC
SPECIAL TO THE FALLS CHURCH TIMES

July 9, 2012

Last month, George Mason High School announced it has named Tony Green, long-time George Mason High School physical education/driver education teacher, as its Varsity Football Coach.

Green, 49, is actually returning as Head Coach of George Mason. He was the head coach at George Mason from 1992 to 1995 and took them to the play-offs during that stint. He also has served as an assistant coach at Paul VI Catholic and most recently, coached 16 seasons at Bishop O’Connell High School, including last season as their interim Head Coach. O’Connell is part of the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference, claimed by many to be one of the most competitive high school football conferences in the country.

Coach Green played for Brentsville High in the late 1970s and was a wide receiver at Shepherd University, graduating in 1985.

His reputation as a teacher is outstanding, according to several students. He is known for having a great sense of humor and a good rapport with his students, but demands that those in his charge have respect for themselves and others, and that they give 100 percent to their commitments. Similarly, he will expect commitment from his players and hold them accountable to that commitment.

Coach Green will be retaining most of last season’s assistant coaches for the upcoming season. He has conducted a few after-school sessions with the players and things are going very well.

FC Football Association Teaches Youth to Play; Annual Camp Starts July 23

By BRIAN SULC
June 15, 2012

Although daily George Mason High School football practices don’t begin until August 1st, and the area’s youth football programs don’t start until the first week of August, registration to join the area programs opened in April and May.  Pre-season speed and agility programs are ongoing, and summer football camps are just about to start.

Every year in July, the Falls Church City Football Association (FCCFA) hosts a pre-season camp where youths between the ages of 7 and 14 can get ready for the coming season. The FCCFA camp is an introductory camp where players of every skill level are encouraged to attend. Both flag football players and full contact players are welcome. This is a no-pads camp, but there is plenty of hard work and fun to be had as the players prepare for this physically demanding sport. Players with many years of experience line up with rookies to practice, and players of all levels of skill are encouraged to join in and benefit from experienced, championship level coaching. Our coaches have succeeded at all levels of youth coaching in the biggest youth football league in the country (Fairfax County Youth Football League) to include winning national championships. Plus, George Mason High School coaches and players will contribute their teaching and experience! So, the FCCFA is proud to announce, in conjunction with the George Mason Mustangs that registration is now open for:

The 2012 Pre-season Football Camp is July 23-26, 6-8pm, rain or shine.  All youths ages 7-14 who are interested in flag or full contact football are welcome.

The camp will offer instruction in football fundamentals, stance, techniques, form, conditioning, and fun. We will use speed and agility drills, hands-on instruction, observation, feedback and repetition to help young players learn and grow.

The camp is designed to link potential future GMHS Mustangs with youth programs early on and introduce them to the GMHS football coach and staff. Additionally, it is a great tune-up for rising 8th and 9th graders interested in trying out for the GMHS Mustangs for the first time. This camp offers every player

, new and old, a chance to learn the game and provides an opportunity to improve their football skills. The popularity of the camp has grown over the years so sign-up today since space is limited.

To register for the camp, go to: http://thefccfa.org/category2012-summer-camp/

The FCCFA is a City institution, so if your kids have long since moved on or if your child can’t join us but you still want to support the football program, read on. Residents in the City have seen the FCCFA grow from an idea to a legitimate contributor to the Falls Church City football community. In 2010, we became an official non-profit, we’ve held numerous football related events, awarded an annual scholarship, and gifted equipment to the GMHS football program. This has all been made possible by your support and commitment to both the GMHS football program and the FCCFA. This year we’ve added a new feature to our site. We can now take donations via credit card through PayPal. If it’s at all possible, please take a moment and make a tax deductible donation to the FCCFA. Your kind donation of $25, $50, $100 will go directly to the FCCFA’s mission and help the Association grow.  

About the FCCFA: The FCCFA is a non-profit 501 c 3 organization. The current officers are Brian Sulc, Steven Valley, Kevin Creed, and Dave Hagigh. The Association was founded with the mandate to increase awareness of and participation with local youth football clubs, host an annual football summer camp for kids 7-14, and hand out one-time scholarships to graduating senior players who exemplify the game. For more information about the Association go to http://thefccfa.org.

MONDAY 7/23-26: Annual FCCFA Football Camp

SUNDAY 4/29: FCCFA Recruiting Event

The Falls Church City Football Association, in conjunction with the George Mason Mustangs football team, will host the organization’s Annual Recruiting Event at FCCFA Treasurer Dave Hagigh’s home at 306 Shadow Walk, Fall Church, on April 29, from 1:00-3:00pm.

All MEH and GMHS students, 6th – 11th grade who are interested in playing George Mason football next Fall are welcome. Pizza and drinks will be served and opportunities for joining the team will be discussed.

Current Mustang players are welcome and encouraged to attend – bring a friend who doesn’t yet play!

To pose inquiries, contact theFCCFA ([email protected])

Falls Church City Football Association Awards 2011 Player of the Year Scholarship

By: STEVEN VALLEY
Falls Church Times Staff

January 4, 2011

It was announced today with great pride that the winner of this year’s FCCFA Annual Youth Football Scholarship is George Mason High School Varsity Football player Stephen Lubnow.  Pictured here receiving the award from FCCFA President Brian Sulc, this year’s scholarship amount grew to $1,000.00.

“As this tradition continues and as the FCCFA grows it will definitely be a highlight of the season to award a former youth player this honor and it will most definitely go on to become an integral part of the football season and a motivator for GMHS players,” stated Tom Horn, Head Coach of the George Mason Varsity football team.

This scholarship, awarded to a current senior who previously played organized youth football, is in recognition of his exemplary performance in abiding by the Mustang Football principles of “Pursuing Victory with Honor,” and contributing to the mission of ensuring that the George Mason Football Program rests on a foundation of strong character. In keeping with Mustang Football’s proud tradition, the board of the FCCFA and the GMHS coaches felt that Stephen demonstrated exceptional enthusiasm, and a superb sense of individual pride, personal responsibility, tolerance, respect, integrity and discipline. Additionally, his devotion to Mustang Football will serve as a model for current youth football players who may be aspiring George Mason Mustangs. By striving to reach these high expectations for a student-athlete in the areas of character and sportsmanship, Stephen stood out as an ambassador for, and a model of, the “Six Pillars of Character,” (Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship).

Stephen’s previous Arlington Youth Football experience, his personal initiative, dedication and loyalty to George Mason High School his teammates and coaches reflect great

credit upon him and is in keeping with the highest traditions of George Mason Football. “In addition to receiving the scholarship, Stephen is also honored with a perpetual plaque that will be on display in the trophy case at GMHS and it will list him and all of the future awardees,” said Brian Sulc, the FCCFA’s President. The FCCFA was created with the goals of promoting participation in youth football to the City of Falls Church and developing a community connection with George Mason High School Football.

It’s been a busy year for the FCCFA.  In addition to giving the scholarship, the Association also held its annual football summer camp for boys between the ages of 7 and 14.  Over 40 local youth players came and worked on developing their football skills during some of the areas hottest days this past summer.  The camp is hosted and run by GMHS coaching staff and FCCFA volunteers, and varsity and junior varsity players also helped to instruct the young athletes all the while giving back to the youth programs that helped them get their starts.  This year the FCCFA also marked what it hopes to be an ongoing tradition: a gift to support the JV and Varsity football teams.  This year, the FCCFA donated a practice clock to the GMHS athletics department, the clock which cost $1,000.00, will help the team to stay focused and scheduled during their practices.

We all wish Stephen good luck in his future academic studies and on the field if he plans to continue his football career at the college of his choice.

About the FCCFA: The FCCFA is a non-profit 501 c 3 organization.  The current officers are Brian Sulc, Steven Valley, Kevin Creed, and Dave Hagigh. The association was founded with the mandate to increase awareness of and participation with local youth football clubs, host an annual football summer camp for kids 7-14, and handout one-time scholarships to graduating senior players who exemplify the game. For more information about the association and to view information on the benefits of playing youth football go to: http://www.thefccfa.org

To become a member of the board or to volunteer at the camp contact The FCCFA directly at: [email protected]

9th Grade Mustang Football Team Victorious
Over Madison County Mountaineers

BY STEVE SELBY
SPECIAL TO THE FALLS CHURCH TIMES

October 1, 2011

Fresh off a strong performance in its 42-8 win over Central Woodstock, the Mustang 9^th Grade football team traveled to Madison County Thursday evening to face their traditional rivals. Hoping to increase their record to 2-0 in Bull Run District play, the Mustangs quickly found themselves in a hole. In spite of some long gains, Mason was unable to get on the scoreboard, while giving up 14 unanswered points to Madison. Then, as the clock ran down for the first half, a Mustang turnover deep in its own territory proved costly, allowing Madison to grab a quick score and exit the field with a 21-0 lead.  Read more

FCCFA will Offer 2 Scholarships This Year and Funds a New Practice Clock for GMHS Athletics

By STEVEN VALLEY

September 6^th, 2011

Another fall sports season is here and kids from across the city are suiting up and heading out to fields.  That’s right, it Football Season!

Football in Falls Church City kicks off for many in mid- July with the annual FCCFA Football Camp.  This year, 41 players from the city and from around the surrounding area showed up at George Mason Field to take part in 4 days of conditioning, drills, and fun.  The players that took part  executed drills that focused on fundamentals, form, and techniques in blocking, tackling, ball handling, and footwork.  These players spent two hours each day learning the basics, building skills, and executing those skills in live drills and fun football related games. .

The camp was created to help players between the ages of seven and fourteen learn and prepare for this complicated and physically demanding sport.  The players were taken through 6 stations and concluded each day with a skills game at the end of the practice.  Despite heat and high humidity, the boys gave their best and made great strides in preparing themselves for the gridiron this fall. Most of these players will go on to one of the three teams located around Falls Church; the McLean, Vienna, or James Lee youth football programs. Just as was the case last year, players from the George Mason Mustangs were on hand to help the rookies.  Nine  George Mason players helped the coaches put the boys through their paces while also strengthening the connection to between the youth players and George Mason.

Heading up this year’s roster of volunteer coaches was Mike Larcamp (last year’s FCCFA scholarship winner) as well as coaches from McLean and Vienna to help Tom Horn and his staff to prepare the young players for this coming season.  The camp, by all accounts was a success and the proceeds are being used to help the George Mason program with scholarships and equipment.

This year, the association will be awarding two $500.00 football scholarships to players who have had previous youth football experience. and who have been leaders on the field and in the community as well as being good students.  This year’s scholarship winners will be announced at the Fall Sports banquet.

In addition to the scholarships, the FCCFA was able to fund a new practice clock for George Mason this year.  The clock is used to time practices and keep each drill on time so that nothing is missed during the session.  Practices can last several hours and be comprised of multiple drills, each one requiring a different amount of time.  In the past, keeping the time required that one of the coaches or an assistant be tied up timing each drill and signaling the transition to the next drill –  a tedious and error prone process. With the new clock, the practices can be timed down to the second and the horn sounds when it’s time to move on.  This will allow all of the staff members to focus on the athletes and not have to watch the clock.

 

To view information on the benefits of playing youth football go to: click here

To get more information on the local clubs in the area go to: click here

To become a member of the board or to volunteer at the camp contact The FCCFA directly at: [email protected]

The FCCFA is a non-profit 501 c 3 organization.  The current officers are Brian Sulc, Steven Valley, Kevin Creed, and Dave Hagigh. The association was founded with the mandate to increase awareness of and participation with local youth football clubs, host an annual football summer camp for kids 7-14, and handout one-time scholarships to graduating senior players who exemplify the game. For more information about the association go to: http://www.thefccfa.org

 

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