A Behind the Scenes Look at MV Football
“ Football is like life -- it requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority.” ~ Vince Lombardi
Missouri Valley Big Reds Football Mission Statement:
To continue to become the best team we can possibly be; physically, mentally and academically. We will uphold the traditions set before us on the field. We will work our hardest to be successful off the field. Teams will know that they played a physical, hard-nosed football team that has respect and class.
Missouri Valley Big Reds Football Vision Statement:
The vision of the Missouri Valley Big Reds Football Program is to create individuals who are hardworking, respectful, responsible, and disciplined leaders for today’s society. Players will understand what it takes to be a member of a team and the level of work it takes to be successful in all avenues.
MV Football Coach, Ryan Victor, has shared some powerful insight into MV football and what happens both on and off the field. Let’s take a look behind the scenes into the hard work and commitment it takes in the classroom and on the field to be a Big Red!
Enjoy the Q & A with Coach Victor!
Q: What do the coaches do to ensure your players are eligible and what are the students required to do as well?
A: During the season we send out grade check sheets every other week. This process makes the players be proactive about their grades. During the off-season when the “F list” comes out we make contact with the guys that may be on it and talk to them about continuing to be proactive about their grades. A lot of our athletes are multi-sport athletes so it’s nice to have all the coaches in our school pushing for maintaining good grades.
Q: What are some of your expectations that you have for your players?
A: I think the most important thing that we push is being champions as people. One part of that is making the right decision even if it’s not the popular one. That’s a tough thing to do as an adult, let alone a teenager. We also push multi-sport participation. That’s big in a small community like ours. All sports have their certain qualities that not only make them more well-rounded athletes, but well-rounded people.
Q: Football is more than just showing up on Friday nights. Talk about what happens behind the scenes and how are your players growing as students, as athletes, and as soon-to-be men?
A: We ask a lot of our kids in terms of commitment. We ask that they take a weights class year round, play multiple sports, attend Mobility and Injury Prevention training if they’re not an in-season athlete two times a week during the year. During the summer we ask that they come to the weight room and train at 7:00 am. We feel like asking them to commit to these things, we are putting them in situations that will help them build the qualities (time management especially) needed to be successful in life. Being successful in life takes hard work and commitment to that success.
Q: What does it take mentally, to get your players ready for practice and games, and how do you prepare them as a coach?
A: During practice we are constantly pushing their limits so that the games come easy. Football is a tough sport and preparation is very important. There is some thinking involved in football and we throw a lot at our kids, so that puts a lot on us as a staff to be great teachers.
Q: What is something we don’t know about MV football?
A: Our players are expected to do service projects throughout the year, not just during our season. We’ve done a number of things, from helping people move to filling up sandbags when we thought it was going to flood.
As you can see, there’s much more to Big Red football than just sports. Teamwork, character, and service are served right alongside game strategy and athleticism to promote the positive growth and development of our youth. Thanks to Coach Victor and the Missouri Valley Football program for their hard work and dedication to the game! Go Big Reds!
