Prospective Candidate Letter

WELCOME:

My name is Eduardo Alejandro Polón, and I have the distinct privilege of serving as the Men's Varsity Soccer Coach at Sandy Spring Friends School. Consider this letter a kind of orientation to the SSFS Men's Varsity & Junior Varsity Soccer teams. Furthermore, this welcome letter is intended to inspire you to set a goal for yourself and see it through to its fruition.

Building a successful soccer program takes exceptional care, patience and dedication. The purpose of this soccer program is to inject a contagious spirit into its participants. We are trying to use soccer as a metaphor, one in which all of life's experiences are encapsulated: victory, defeat, leadership, grace, morality, discipline, teamwork, community, desire, commitment, purpose, etc. That is why Pride! is the team motto. The time has come for us to take that next step together in continuing to improve the quality of our rich soccer program and the student-athletes it produces.

ON OUR PROGRAM WEBSITE:
I am delighted to introduce you to our dynamic program website -- a truly impressive project with which the coaching staff, players, parents and others have been intimately involved in designing. This website is yet another pioneering effort forged by this flagship program intended to:

This website will be the primary source for gathering and sharing information at the varsity level. All players and families affiliated directly with the Men's Varsity Team will want to familiarize themselves with this site, as it will be taking the place of previously used paper copies. Note that for the time being, JV information will continue to come directly from that particular coaching staff at a later date, generally after the teams have been fully and clearly defined.

The website is quite large. Understanding how to navigate through it will be important, particularly to varsity members and families. The home page should be treated as a welcome page from which to branch out and explore accordingly. There is a Message Board along the top that will provide up to the minute varsity updates in a distinguishing red type. In season, this message board is intended to help satisfy varsity inquiries as to last-second postponed or cancelled events, provide calendar reminders, etc. Also, the home page is a common site for all interested parties to obtain general program information. Furthermore, along the top of the home page are a series of eight tabs, from left to right: SSFS SOCCER HISTORY, ABOUT SSFS, ADMISSIONS, PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE, HALL OF FAME and BOYS SOCCER CAMP. Clicking any of these tabs will direct you to its defined area of concentration. Clearly, in-season, the most relevant of these areas will be PRESENT, as it will provide information pertinent to the on-going varsity season, things like, but not limited to, In-Season Master Calendar, Schedule & Results, Statistics, Captain's Journal, Directions, etc. The rest is left for you to explore and enjoy!

ON COMMITMENT & EXPECTATION:
For better or worse, as the first men's sports program of the academic year, in many ways soccer serves as the springboard for school spirit. Some of our school's finest young men find themselves in the early spotlight of having to represent our institution. That is no easy task in a school Pre K-12. You will begin to understand that your behavior and its display not only reflect directly on yourselves but on who you represent: the school, your families, etc., and that many, particularly younger and newer students, look up to you as leaders and often as heroes. If you're still not convinced, I encourage you click on Parting Senior Reflections.

Excellence and success are not measured in the final standings, rather they are ultimately judged by progress. This is a program that believes our goals to be far longer reaching: those of commitment and accomplishment. Our primary purpose is to create an opportunity for those specially dedicated to discover potential previously unknown, and to feel the satisfaction that accompanies seeing something demanding and meaningful through to its satisfying completion. As a minimum, we hope that this experience introduces you to some of life's difficult but worthy tests, to be added to the annals of your memories and cherished proudly!

High School level Varsity programs depend heavily upon extraordinary feeder and building projects that lead toward success. The JV and Middle School soccer staffs have continued to support this goal by introducing the joys and fundamentals of soccer. While both the Varsity and JV soccer teams share similar philosophies, the demands, challenges and responsibilities slightly differ. The purpose of JV soccer is to provide a safe, fun, and patient athletic learning environment to, among other things, develop players' skills towards a higher level. It is only through an excellent Middle School and JV program that, ultimately, a Varsity program can hope to flourish, and players can begin to determine whether they are content to even pursue the sport at that higher level. Varsity players have certain imposed expectations to which JV players are encouraged but not required to adhere:

ON INSPIRATION:
Whether you are considering playing either Varsity or JV soccer, I urge you to the challenge. For inspiration, I encourage you click on Quotes & Inspirations. To that regard I share with you my favorite speech of all time. I hope it affects you as profoundly as it has me:

ON PRESEASON & PROGRAM APPROACH (Tips & Advice):
Everything that we do as a team will be deliberate and communicated. You will learn from me and I will learn from you. We will be nothing shy of a High School Varsity program. We will play a transition game in which all players participate in the defense and the attack. It will be a controlled offense and a pursuing, deconstructive defense. We will accept our roles and become team players. We will run many set plays off dead balls(i.e.,. corner kicks, free kicks, etc.) When appropriate we will play, successfully, an offside trap and a restraining line. We will pinch-in on defense and push-out on attack. We will defend with the intent of regaining possession and not just breaking-up the play by clearing the ball wildly. Weak-side will always pinch inwards and back. Strong-side will always push and force the opponents attack with defensive pressure. We will not simply kick and run. We will pass, pass, pass and then pass some more. We will pass backwards as often as we pass forward. We will create plays and produce goals. We will not wait to get lucky. We will overlap, feint decoys and play through both player and ball. We will learn to defend before we learn to attack and how doing the opposite is a recipe for defeat. We will play our game always. Others will have to beat us, we will not beat ourselves. Though always gentlemanly hosts, we will defend our home field with blood, sweat and tears. We will learn the flavors of both victory and defeat and accept them with class and dignity. You will celebrate the overwhelming sensation of scoring and, unfortunately, feel the stomach pangs of getting scored upon. We will not play frightened though we will always be nervous and anxious on game day. We will improve, have fun, and ingrain deeply rooted memories. We will do what it takes because no one else will do it for us. We will pull each other up. We will demand more from one another. Rights are privileges. Privileges will be earned. You will come to understand the need to have captains and coaches. Leaders will be respected because leaders will respect. Nothing comes free. When necessary, we will contribute our time to help raise money for new equipment because it is the right thing to do. We will be academically productive and sensitive, but we will neither use soccer nor classes as excuses against one another. We will act decently both on and off of the field. We will be modest but proud, elite but never elitist. And we will do all of this because it is the right thing to do!

As Head Varsity Coach, I feel comfortable with the Coaching Staff (from the Middle School feeder programs all the way up through the Upper School). As you can see, the foundation is in place, and now our work begins to help elevate the program to its highest potential. This requires your participation and dedication. The task at hand is not easy and this needs to be understood by all voluntary participants, parents notwithstanding. If you choose to accept this challenge, much will be required, demanded and expected of you. The Varsity team will be built the old-fashioned way: you will have to earn a spot. You will be asked to live by a noble code, to compete, to sweat, to place your team before yourself, to make sacrifices, to commit and dedicate, to learn, to lead, to listen, to honor, to stand proud though not conceited, to play hard but fair, to attack and to defend, to transition, to run, run, run and then run some more, to never surrender, to become mature, to lay all excuses aside, to grow, to try with all your might, occasionally to cry but never to whine, to be men from a more chivalrous day, and most of all to find a way. But I can not force you to come to practice. That decision can only be made by you. Remember to take other conflicting functions into account before you commit to the soccer program. Discuss these principles and notions with those you love, trust and respect. The first steps are in your court.

ON SOCCER CAMP(S):
In an effort to avoid coming into preseason "raw", ideally you should consider attending at least one quality summer soccer camp, be it mine in August or another. Like any task, skills only improve with practice. However, effective practices require quality programs with experienced coaches to harness, develop and maximize each student-athlete's full potential. The fun, benefits, experiences and memories gained at camps can be invaluable. To learn more about Polón Pride Boys Soccer Camp or other area & international soccer camps, simply click on link. The SSFS Soccer Coaching Staff strongly encourages you to pursue continual growth and improvement, challenge yourself to personal goals, exercise your right to a healthy lifestyle, set higher standards and expectations for yourself, as well as test your discipline, fortitude, and character. Again, the purpose of this letter is to motivate you to become more active: a true social contributor. We hope you make a conscious decision to, in some way, activate and engage yourself in a worthy cause.

ON OFFICIAL JOINT VARSITY & J.V. MEN'S SOCCER PRACTICE START DATE:
The SSFS Coaching Staff feels it is very fair to expect anyone planning on being involved with the program to get in shape over the summer. You should monitor your diet and get into a work-out regimen (i.e., run!) in order to arrive conditioned. To see a current copy of the In-Season Master Calendar click on link.

ON WHAT TO BRING FOR TRAINING (Discipline is a Key to Success):
Make sure to always bring:

ON MEDICAL FORMS (Parents Please Read Carefully):
Before attending school sponsored activities, anyone taking medication, including inhalers and epipens, needs to have the medication order form completed by a physician and signed by a parent. For more information, please contact the School Nurse. The Nurse can be reached in the SSFS Health Center office, located on the third floor of Moore Hall, by dialing (301) 774-7455 ext.141. Downloadable copies of all necessary Health Forms can be obtained by clicking on the provided link.

ON RESPONSIBILITY & PREPARATION:
Upper School students are expected to act responsibly. Certainly, if you are planning to play Varsity &/or Junior Varsity Soccer, it is expected that you will attend all practices. That is the first lesson of commitment, teamwork and selflessness. Make the necessary accommodations and rides to figure out how, and with whom, you will arrive, and if necessary stay. Get in shape before we begin together! Run, run, run and then run some more! We don't care particularly how fast or slow you do it, just run daily, weekly, and monthly. Start now and begin slowly. Watch your diet. Eat well and enjoy and drink lots of water! But exercise your heart and strengthen your body.

In an effort to expose you to the disciplined rigors of a maturing and serious athlete, a lot of information has been researched and compiled in this site to help better educate you. To learn more about Personal Focus, Strength Conditioning, Summer Running Calendar, and/or Nutrition & Health, simply click on the appropriate link provided. To get an idea of where you stand athletically, select Athletic Development Profile & Records.

If it is convenient for both of us, I'll help you get ready. But take charge of your life and give it a real shot. Statistics show that the majority of athletic injuries are a direct result of poor conditioning. Consider participating on a spring/summer team, join camps and clinics, touch the ball frequently with friends or against the wall. Pre-season practices are tough, and expectations are high. You are expected to do more than just attend. You are expected to actively contribute and be a true part of something special. Be aware that varsity may include a Saturday and/or a Sunday pre-season practice, if the need arises. Also, please note that inclement weather does not cancel practice. Only visibly-near lightning at the SSFS field and the Coaching Staff cancel outdoor practice, in which case we will go indoors.

For your information, the varsity will generally carry no more than 20 players, though more likely 16-18, on its roster, including two goalkeepers. It is pivotal that the non-starting goalkeeper clearly understands his role throughout the season and his importance en lieu of an emergency, particularly approaching the playoffs. It is vital that varsity carries two goalkeepers for a number of reasons, in particular for warm-up, competition and practice.

Those players who do not initially make the Men's Varsity Soccer roster will have the opportunity to play competitive soccer at the Men's Junior Varsity level. The season will breathe continuously and players may be brought up to and dropped down from Varsity according to performance consistency, injuries, commitment, etc. A Junior Varsity Soccer Player is expected to uphold the same standards as a Varsity Player. Though we are two teams, we are one club.

ON BECOMING A BEEST BOOSTER (The SSFS Mascot is indeed the Wildebeest):

Finally, a quality program could never flourish without parents' overwhelming endorsement, and for that we are forever grateful, especially to the Beest Boosters. As parents, your enthusiasm, interest and support are only surpassed by your student-athlete's own participation and commitment. I encourage you to get involved. To learn more about the Beest Booster Club, simply click on link.

We hope that you're able to find the time in your busy schedules to cheer loud for your fine young men and encourage them to participate. They are so deserving of your praise as you are of their success. On behalf of the Varsity & JV Men's Soccer Coaching Staffs and the Athletic Department, I hope that this letter has in some way brought us yet closer together as a community. We want this to be among the most rewarding, healthy, memorable and fulfilling athletic opportunities ever experienced. Please give this letter serious thought and another reading. Thank you.

Best of luck! We hope to see you on the soccer field soon!

Respectfully,

Eduardo Alejandro Polón
SSFS Men's Varsity Soccer Coach