Letters to the Publisher

I enjoyed reading the Clinic Bonus Clock Management (Vol. 3, 4th Quarter), by John T. Reed. Mr. Reed brings up some interesting points that all coaches must be aware of when the game gets down to crunch time.

At Ohio State, we use the time/down/ time out table on our game plan call sheets. We take it a step further by having a second table which is the situation of having just made a first down. We can roughly add 24 seconds to the change of possession table so we aren't doing math at the end of the game.

Your publication has been great for our profession and we appreciate your time and energy.

Go Bucks! Tim Salem
Quarterback Coach
The Ohio State University

Publisher's note: Reed says you can run time off the game clock before a first-down snap if the previous play was the gaining of a first down by the same team. On a gained first down, the referee gives the ready-to-play signal when the chains have been moved and you can run as much as 24 seconds off the game clock before the first down snap.

Dear Publisher:

What a pleasure it was to attend AFM University's conferences and expositions the weekend of March 20-22, 1998 in Fort Worth, Texas. Your leadership assembled one of the finest group of teaching professionals and speakers imaginable. You are your staff should be commended for your attention to detail, your sincere love of the sport at your professionalism.

I wish to thank all of the fine educators who gave their time to be a part of this continuing education process. Through your excellent lectures, AFM was able to provide "the insider's perspective" in an environment complementary with the publication's noble goals.

My appreciation also goes to the exhibitors in the Product Learning Center. Thank you for taking the time to be there for us. I had many questions answered there, which also proved what a valuable resource you are. Your products help to keep football at the forefront of the athletic industry and you deserve our support for your efforts.

The hospitality industry in Fort Worth, Texas, should take a collective bow. It would be a pleasure to return to Fort Worth for another AFM University conference.

Barry, I believe you have the proper perspective on what is important for the future success of football. Your fine character attests to why the AFM University and American Football Monthly magazine are such outstanding products.

Best wishes,
Bill King
McIntosh High School Touchdown Club
Peachtree City, Georgia

Dear Publisher:

I enjoy reading your magazine. As a former high school and college football player, it keeps me close to the strategic and clinical aspects of the game.

Your high school dynasty coverage is excellent and I would like to recognize my former coach, who has worked hard for many years to build a winning program.

Coach Weston Schartz of Wichita West HS has taken over a football program that had only one winning season from 1977-86, and even before, hadn't had much success. In 11 years at West, Schartz has won a city league title and owns one of the league's highest winning percentages over the last three seasons. He has won two sub-state titles and taken the Pioneers to state twice-in 1997, West advanced to the 6A Championship before losing a close game to Olathe North.

We have come long way from that 1-8 inaugural season back in 1987. Coach Schartz is more than a good coach, he is an excellent role model for our youth. Sincerely,
David Robinson
Wichita, KS

Dear Publisher:

I came back to my office to find a dozen notes from coaches at AFM University telling me how much they enjoyed it. I have never gotten that much response from any clinic I have done. You and your staff did a hell of a job. Let me know whatever I can do to help you keep it going.

Sincerely,
Brian Billick
Offensive Coordinator
Minnesota Vikings

Dear Publisher:

I recently attended the first-ever session of AFM University and must congratulate you and your staff for successfully proving the educational program as described in the registration materials. The combination of classroom lectures, question and answer periods and evening keynote speakers provided both a unique learning experience and an exceptional environment for professional growth.

Coaching is teaching and AFM University exposed us to the best teachers American football has to offer. Having had the opportunity to be with such an extraordinary group, I left feeling very proud to be a "football coach."

Thanks for your effort. I am eagerly awaiting to attend again next year. Jack Lakin,
Head Football Coach
Eureka High School
Eureka, CA

Dear Publisher:

I am looking to develop a partnership program for football coaches in the U.K. who want to expand their knowledge of this great game, but I do not have any contact with football coaches outside the U.K.

I want to develop a program where coaches would be allowed into meetings and on-field practices and to share ideas with the coaches of that program. It would not cost American programs anything, as the travelling coach have to pay any expenses.

It would also be nice to find coaches willing to be "penfriends" for those U.K. coaches who cannot afford to travel.

I will not be making any money out of this, I will just act as a point of contact until the partnership develops on its own between coaches. If any football programs would like to be part of this partnership program, they should write. Yours in football,
Tony Athersmith,
University of Loughborough
Staffordshire, England

Note: Coach Athersmith can be reached at 21 Stoke Old Road, Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England, ST4 6ES