We are preparing to go and get something for the kids on Jackson's football team. We found these awesome medals and they have adult versions that are key chains. They deserve more then just the ordinary trophy. These kids have been through hell and back. Scott and I are paying for these trophies because we learned today that only the first place team receives trophies. We are proud of children regardless of the outcome of Saturday's game. I cannot believe a leauge that has preached it's not about the score is going to tell us that our kids don't get trophies or awards if they do not win. Pathetic.
Now here is the suggestion part. We are looking for a quote to put on the back of the medals. We found a few we like and would like them to either be directly related to football or have been made by someone significant to football history. The one winning right now is this one by Vince Lombardi "It's not whether you get knocked down; it's whether you get back up!" These kids can relate to that comment. We are open to suggestions just remember we are talking about 4-7 year old kids. There is also a girl on the team. We've found a few that say "men" and of course we really cannot use them. Thanks for any input you guys can give it would be greatly appreciated.
Suggestions
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NikiH
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Suggestions
Whenever I start to get blue, I just breathe!
My favortie line from the Simpsons:
Flanders: "Looks like someone is having a pre-rapture party!"
Homer: "No Flanders, it's a meeting of gay witches for abortion , you wouldn't be interested!"
My favortie line from the Simpsons:
Flanders: "Looks like someone is having a pre-rapture party!"
Homer: "No Flanders, it's a meeting of gay witches for abortion , you wouldn't be interested!"
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Irn-Bru
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A couple more from Vince:
'Individual commitment to a group effort - that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.'
'Teamwork is what the Green Bay Packers were all about. They didn't do it for individual glory. They did it because they loved one another.'
'The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will. '
'We would accomplish many more things if we did not think of them as impossible.'
**
'Never quit. It is the easiest cop-out in the world. Set a goal and don't quit until you attain it. When you do attain it, set another goal, and don't quit until you reach it. Never quit.' - Bear Bryant
Some quick ones. . .it looks like yours is probably better anyway. Good luck!
'Individual commitment to a group effort - that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.'
'Teamwork is what the Green Bay Packers were all about. They didn't do it for individual glory. They did it because they loved one another.'
'The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will. '
'We would accomplish many more things if we did not think of them as impossible.'
**
'Never quit. It is the easiest cop-out in the world. Set a goal and don't quit until you attain it. When you do attain it, set another goal, and don't quit until you reach it. Never quit.' - Bear Bryant
Some quick ones. . .it looks like yours is probably better anyway. Good luck!
First off... my belated congratulations for getting to the Super Bowl. I know the whole scoop and know what Scott and thse kids went through to get here... great stuff... like Scott's determination should surprise anyone. 
I think the most fantastic thing is not that they got here but HOW they got here. Scott let everyone participate and have a good time and don't the end results speak for themselves? maybe we should come up with our OWN saying...
"The fun is in the competition, not the victory."
"Winning isn't everything; competing is."
It would seem that the most APPROPRIATE famous quote along those lines might be, "It's not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game."
But here are some other quotes:
There's no substitute for guts.
-Paul Bear Bryant
Sweat plus sacrifice equals success.
-Charlie Finley
Set your goals high, and dont stop till you get there.
-Bo Jackson
You can catch more flies with honey, than with vinegar.
Congrats again.
I think the most fantastic thing is not that they got here but HOW they got here. Scott let everyone participate and have a good time and don't the end results speak for themselves? maybe we should come up with our OWN saying...
"The fun is in the competition, not the victory."
"Winning isn't everything; competing is."
It would seem that the most APPROPRIATE famous quote along those lines might be, "It's not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game."
But here are some other quotes:
There's no substitute for guts.
-Paul Bear Bryant
Sweat plus sacrifice equals success.
-Charlie Finley
Set your goals high, and dont stop till you get there.
-Bo Jackson
You can catch more flies with honey, than with vinegar.
Congrats again.
Sean Taylor was one of a kind, may he rest in peace.
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Skinsfan55
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I'm a believer in only the ones who deserve it get trophies.
It could well be that your kids deserve trophies, it sure sounds like they do... but when you give a trophy to every kid in any league it really cheapens the award IMO.
I think you want an award to be special, and something the kids will remember, and if everyone just gets the same thing it has less effect.
Personally, my suggestion is to make a different certificate for every kid. Something where you give every kid on the team a specific reason for being so proud of them. That way it's personal, based on individual achievement and you don't play favorites.
It's like parents with two kids, you never say you love both kids equally, because it sounds like you're "just saying that", you're supposed to tell them why you love them so much.
Whether they win the trophies from the league or not, I think giving them all a nice certificate from the both of you would be a great idea, and it shouldn't cost too much either if you already have some type of program on your computer to type them out (most computers do.)
Or just do individual quotes on the medals... certificates are cheaper though,
It could well be that your kids deserve trophies, it sure sounds like they do... but when you give a trophy to every kid in any league it really cheapens the award IMO.
I think you want an award to be special, and something the kids will remember, and if everyone just gets the same thing it has less effect.
Personally, my suggestion is to make a different certificate for every kid. Something where you give every kid on the team a specific reason for being so proud of them. That way it's personal, based on individual achievement and you don't play favorites.
It's like parents with two kids, you never say you love both kids equally, because it sounds like you're "just saying that", you're supposed to tell them why you love them so much.
Whether they win the trophies from the league or not, I think giving them all a nice certificate from the both of you would be a great idea, and it shouldn't cost too much either if you already have some type of program on your computer to type them out (most computers do.)
Or just do individual quotes on the medals... certificates are cheaper though,
"Guess [Ryan Kerrigan] really does have a good motor. And is relentless. And never quits on a play. And just keeps coming. And probably eats Wheaties and drinks Apple Pie smoothies and shaves with Valvoline." -Dan Steinberg DC Sports Bog
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joebagadonuts
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Skinsfan55 wrote:I'm a believer in only the ones who deserve it get trophies.
It could well be that your kids deserve trophies, it sure sounds like they do... but when you give a trophy to every kid in any league it really cheapens the award IMO.
Follow me here: youth sports are about learning the game, having fun, developing character. If those are the objectives, rather than winning, shouldn't the kids get trophies if they complete those objectives? Don't they deserve proper recognition if they worked their tails off all season? Isn't that what we should be rewarding, rather than wins or losses? Would you rather have a 6 year old who is more concerned with winning at any cost than having fun? I can't speak for all parents,but I'd much rather know that my child is having fun, and is proud of himself for earning a trophy for his hard work.
This isn't high school or college or the pros. The kids will have plenty of time to not win trophies in their lives. Now is the time to prop them up, even if they go winless all season. We keep telling them 'Persevere. Work hard, and you'll succeed.' Rewarding them for that hard work rather than saying 'Well, you worked hard, but you didn't win, so you get nothing' would only discourage them. They aren't old enough to turn their disappointment into motivation, in my opinion.
To treat them like adults and reward them for winning would only create more poor sports.
I'm a jack of all trades, the master of three
Rockin' the tables, rockin' the mikes, rockin' the young lay-dees.
Rockin' the tables, rockin' the mikes, rockin' the young lay-dees.
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JansenFan
- and Jackson
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joebagadonuts wrote:Skinsfan55 wrote:I'm a believer in only the ones who deserve it get trophies.
It could well be that your kids deserve trophies, it sure sounds like they do... but when you give a trophy to every kid in any league it really cheapens the award IMO.
Follow me here: youth sports are about learning the game, having fun, developing character. If those are the objectives, rather than winning, shouldn't the kids get trophies if they complete those objectives? Don't they deserve proper recognition if they worked their tails off all season? Isn't that what we should be rewarding, rather than wins or losses? Would you rather have a 6 year old who is more concerned with winning at any cost than having fun? I can't speak for all parents,but I'd much rather know that my child is having fun, and is proud of himself for earning a trophy for his hard work.
This isn't high school or college or the pros. The kids will have plenty of time to not win trophies in their lives. Now is the time to prop them up, even if they go winless all season. We keep telling them 'Persevere. Work hard, and you'll succeed.' Rewarding them for that hard work rather than saying 'Well, you worked hard, but you didn't win, so you get nothing' would only discourage them. They aren't old enough to turn their disappointment into motivation, in my opinion.
To treat them like adults and reward them for winning would only create more poor sports.
RIP 21
"Nah, I trust the laws of nature to stay constant. I don't pray that the sun will rise tomorrow, and I don't need to pray that someone will beat the Cowboys in the playoffs." - Irn-Bru
"Nah, I trust the laws of nature to stay constant. I don't pray that the sun will rise tomorrow, and I don't need to pray that someone will beat the Cowboys in the playoffs." - Irn-Bru
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Skinsfan55
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I think you completely misunderstood the point.
I said to give kids awards when they deserve it... and said nothing about winning and losing.
Younger kids can win awards based on a different set of merits than older kids, and I know that. Still, if you give a trophy to every kid, and leave it at that, then the award ceases to mean anything.
If every kid gets a "You played in X league during the 20XX season" trophy then who cares?
What I was suggesting, and you apparently missed was that each kid should get a medal or certificate with a personalized message. (I figured that engraving different medals with different sayings would cost more so I suggested a simpler certificate.)
If each kid got a personal thing from their coach that explained, in a few words, exactly why JF and Niki were so proud of their efforts it would be much more meaningful IMO, and it would also help foster all the positive things about sports...
I said to give kids awards when they deserve it... and said nothing about winning and losing.
Younger kids can win awards based on a different set of merits than older kids, and I know that. Still, if you give a trophy to every kid, and leave it at that, then the award ceases to mean anything.
If every kid gets a "You played in X league during the 20XX season" trophy then who cares?
What I was suggesting, and you apparently missed was that each kid should get a medal or certificate with a personalized message. (I figured that engraving different medals with different sayings would cost more so I suggested a simpler certificate.)
If each kid got a personal thing from their coach that explained, in a few words, exactly why JF and Niki were so proud of their efforts it would be much more meaningful IMO, and it would also help foster all the positive things about sports...
joebagadonuts wrote:Skinsfan55 wrote:I'm a believer in only the ones who deserve it get trophies.
It could well be that your kids deserve trophies, it sure sounds like they do... but when you give a trophy to every kid in any league it really cheapens the award IMO.
Follow me here: youth sports are about learning the game, having fun, developing character. If those are the objectives, rather than winning, shouldn't the kids get trophies if they complete those objectives? Don't they deserve proper recognition if they worked their tails off all season? Isn't that what we should be rewarding, rather than wins or losses? Would you rather have a 6 year old who is more concerned with winning at any cost than having fun? I can't speak for all parents,but I'd much rather know that my child is having fun, and is proud of himself for earning a trophy for his hard work.
This isn't high school or college or the pros. The kids will have plenty of time to not win trophies in their lives. Now is the time to prop them up, even if they go winless all season. We keep telling them 'Persevere. Work hard, and you'll succeed.' Rewarding them for that hard work rather than saying 'Well, you worked hard, but you didn't win, so you get nothing' would only discourage them. They aren't old enough to turn their disappointment into motivation, in my opinion.
To treat them like adults and reward them for winning would only create more poor sports.
"Guess [Ryan Kerrigan] really does have a good motor. And is relentless. And never quits on a play. And just keeps coming. And probably eats Wheaties and drinks Apple Pie smoothies and shaves with Valvoline." -Dan Steinberg DC Sports Bog
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JansenFan
- and Jackson
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Last year in this same league, all children got the same trophy. We won the championship and got the same trophies as the kids on the team that lost. I didn't hear any of the children complain. That being said, we are getting these medals for our kids because we feel they deserve more for fighting through all of the adult crap that got in the way of them having as much fun as they could have, so I agree with both of you in that I think each kid should get something for participation, but I also think that, in certain cases, the kids should be able to earn an extra reward.
RIP 21
"Nah, I trust the laws of nature to stay constant. I don't pray that the sun will rise tomorrow, and I don't need to pray that someone will beat the Cowboys in the playoffs." - Irn-Bru
"Nah, I trust the laws of nature to stay constant. I don't pray that the sun will rise tomorrow, and I don't need to pray that someone will beat the Cowboys in the playoffs." - Irn-Bru
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Skinsfan55
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Oh, I agree with that.
Win or lose it's nice that you get them something because you are proud of them.
I just think that getting everyone a trophy because it's "the right thing to do" or so no one feels left out does nothing.
Personalizing, or even adressing the award and the reasons they won it at some type of team BBQ or something adds meaning that it wouldn'd otherwise have.
Win or lose it's nice that you get them something because you are proud of them.
I just think that getting everyone a trophy because it's "the right thing to do" or so no one feels left out does nothing.
Personalizing, or even adressing the award and the reasons they won it at some type of team BBQ or something adds meaning that it wouldn'd otherwise have.
"Guess [Ryan Kerrigan] really does have a good motor. And is relentless. And never quits on a play. And just keeps coming. And probably eats Wheaties and drinks Apple Pie smoothies and shaves with Valvoline." -Dan Steinberg DC Sports Bog
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joebagadonuts
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Skinsfan55 wrote:I think you completely misunderstood the point.
I said to give kids awards when they deserve it... and said nothing about winning and losing.
And I think you're missing the point that ALL the kids deserve it. If they showed up & worked hard, they deserve it. If it's not wining and losing, then what's your criteria for whether they deserve a trophy or not? Why do some kids get one and others don't?
I agree with you that it would be nice to have a personalized something from the coach. However, speaking as a someone who was in this same situation not three weeks ago, I can tell you that our players seemed to really be proud of themselves as they were individually called up to receive their medals and certficates (the medals were identical, the certificates personalized). Maybe it's simply a matter of drilling it into them, but my son seemed to understand full well why he deserved what he received.
In any case, my apologies if I jumped on you in error.
I'm a jack of all trades, the master of three
Rockin' the tables, rockin' the mikes, rockin' the young lay-dees.
Rockin' the tables, rockin' the mikes, rockin' the young lay-dees.
I think you are exactly correct Joe. I took the same thing from SF55's original post. These kids have only been playing organized sports for a year or two at the most. Some of them have never had any experience prior to this league. They stopped keeping score half way through the season saying that they wanted the kids to focus on having fun and learning. Yet we are going to reward the team that scores more points? It doesn't seem like one equals the other.
The other thing I want to add is as a parent I paid $35 for my child to participate. Last year that afforded them a cheesey jersey, more of a smock that goes over their clothes, and a trophy. This year the same cost gets them just the jersey? It is not a matter of the money, it's a matter of principle. Someone is pocketing the money that I paid for my child to receive that trophy.
And our kids worked harded then kids on any of the other teams. Since 4 games ago none of them has had the benefit of being relieved by another player so they could take a breather. They have no had the benefit of having 4 coaches like the rest of the children. They've all had to compromise their learning process and to me that makes them winners. Even without these hurdles still showing up to compete each game is showing that they are indeed worthy of a trophy/medal or something more significant had I had the money to buy it.
The other thing I want to add is as a parent I paid $35 for my child to participate. Last year that afforded them a cheesey jersey, more of a smock that goes over their clothes, and a trophy. This year the same cost gets them just the jersey? It is not a matter of the money, it's a matter of principle. Someone is pocketing the money that I paid for my child to receive that trophy.
And our kids worked harded then kids on any of the other teams. Since 4 games ago none of them has had the benefit of being relieved by another player so they could take a breather. They have no had the benefit of having 4 coaches like the rest of the children. They've all had to compromise their learning process and to me that makes them winners. Even without these hurdles still showing up to compete each game is showing that they are indeed worthy of a trophy/medal or something more significant had I had the money to buy it.
Whenever I start to get blue, I just breathe!
My favortie line from the Simpsons:
Flanders: "Looks like someone is having a pre-rapture party!"
Homer: "No Flanders, it's a meeting of gay witches for abortion , you wouldn't be interested!"
My favortie line from the Simpsons:
Flanders: "Looks like someone is having a pre-rapture party!"
Homer: "No Flanders, it's a meeting of gay witches for abortion , you wouldn't be interested!"
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Skinsfan55
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Yeah, if you show up and try hard you get a trophy or whatever, the point is you don't get one for the sake of it, you get one for a reason.
I think the idea of giving identical medals AND a personalized certificate is a great idea, because these kids sounds like they deserve it.
What I don't like is just giving every kid on a team a trophy no matter what? Did they earn it? It goes team by team... so for instance, these kids are so young it's not quite right to give a few kids on the team a trophy and none to others on the same team, but not giving trophies at all to an entire team is fine, you're not playing favorites that way.
I think the idea of giving identical medals AND a personalized certificate is a great idea, because these kids sounds like they deserve it.
What I don't like is just giving every kid on a team a trophy no matter what? Did they earn it? It goes team by team... so for instance, these kids are so young it's not quite right to give a few kids on the team a trophy and none to others on the same team, but not giving trophies at all to an entire team is fine, you're not playing favorites that way.
joebagadonuts wrote:Skinsfan55 wrote:I think you completely misunderstood the point.
I said to give kids awards when they deserve it... and said nothing about winning and losing.
And I think you're missing the point that ALL the kids deserve it. If they showed up & worked hard, they deserve it. If it's not wining and losing, then what's your criteria for whether they deserve a trophy or not? Why do some kids get one and others don't?
I agree with you that it would be nice to have a personalized something from the coach. However, speaking as a someone who was in this same situation not three weeks ago, I can tell you that our players seemed to really be proud of themselves as they were individually called up to receive their medals and certficates (the medals were identical, the certificates personalized). Maybe it's simply a matter of drilling it into them, but my son seemed to understand full well why he deserved what he received.
In any case, my apologies if I jumped on you in error.
"Guess [Ryan Kerrigan] really does have a good motor. And is relentless. And never quits on a play. And just keeps coming. And probably eats Wheaties and drinks Apple Pie smoothies and shaves with Valvoline." -Dan Steinberg DC Sports Bog
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joebagadonuts
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Is the league associated with the NFL Flag Football program? Ours was rigged so that each kid paid $25 to play, and the NFL sent sweet reversible jerseys in sets of 10 and two balls per team. It seemed like a good deal, you may want to suggest it for next season.
I'm a jack of all trades, the master of three
Rockin' the tables, rockin' the mikes, rockin' the young lay-dees.
Rockin' the tables, rockin' the mikes, rockin' the young lay-dees.
Yeah next season they will affiliated with NFL but this year they were not. The lady running our leauge doesn't have a clue as you can tell. 
And SF55 it's not our job to provide anything to these kids. The league should do it. Scott and I are doing this out of our pocket because they deserve it and the Parks and Rec could care less if they show favortism.
And SF55 it's not our job to provide anything to these kids. The league should do it. Scott and I are doing this out of our pocket because they deserve it and the Parks and Rec could care less if they show favortism.
Whenever I start to get blue, I just breathe!
My favortie line from the Simpsons:
Flanders: "Looks like someone is having a pre-rapture party!"
Homer: "No Flanders, it's a meeting of gay witches for abortion , you wouldn't be interested!"
My favortie line from the Simpsons:
Flanders: "Looks like someone is having a pre-rapture party!"
Homer: "No Flanders, it's a meeting of gay witches for abortion , you wouldn't be interested!"
BossHog wrote:First off... my belated congratulations for getting to the Super Bowl. I know the whole scoop and know what Scott and thse kids went through to get here... great stuff... like Scott's determination should surprise anyone.
Sounds like a good story . . . do tell!
