Video: Kennedy football - All we got, all we need
See how one program rallied around a motto to reach unexpected success.What is your football program's slogan? Do you have one? Can you sum up what you're all about in just a few words?
They say every great company should have an "elevator pitch." This means that you can explain your company's entire purpose and reason for being in a short elevator ride. The same can be said of your football program.
Do you have a catchy phrase that has caught on with your community, both on and off campus? If a parent stopped you in aisle 7 at the supermarket and asked you to tell them the greatest thing about your football program, what would you say?
Nike has one. Klondike has one. Burger King does too. Monday Night Football even has a song!
"Just Do It!"
"What would you do-o-o for a Klondike bar?"
"Have it your way!"
"Are you ready for some football?"
These major corporations have been able to market their goods worldwide, in part due to creative marketing that is simple and succinct. What is that simple and succinct catch phrase for your football program?
We didn't have one when I took over as head coach and athletic director at Capistrano Valley Christian. Sure, the athletic department had a mission statement and a philosophy, but nobody knew it. I wanted something like Nike had: a short phrase that would solidify what our football program was all about.
So, one night at a restaurant while brainstorming on a napkin, I came up with the motto that would guide us. What I scribbled down that night was: "The Eagle Way: Building Christians and winning championships." This phrase would be my guiding light for four years as I led the Eagles Athletic Department and football program.
"The Eagle Way."
Capistrano Valley Christian adopted "The Eagle way" as its motto.
Photo by Heston Quan
If you were to ask my football players on that campus, they would be able to tell you precisely what "The Eagle Way" was. Our assistant coaches could tell you too. In fact, the administration and many teachers could also tell you what "The Eagle Way" meant. It became a significant thread which wove its way through our athletic programs in many ways, helping us to keep our focus and determination on these two things.
If you don't have a slogan or catch phrase, develop one. It can become a great hashtag as long as it isn't too long.
One head coach in Southern California, Derek Bedell, uses #uncommon on most of his tweets. The coach at
Mayfair (Lakewood, Calif.) gets it. He understands the value of a slogan for his program.
Chris Fore is a veteran Head Football Coach and Athletic Director from Southern California. He consults coaches and programs nationwide through his business Eight Laces Consulting.
