Pierz Pioneer Football Program Builds Success On and Off the Field
As you may know, Pierz Football is once again headed to the Prep Bowl after finishing an undefeated season. But perhaps what isn’t revealed in the spotlight is all the hard work, effort, countless hours of teaching strong ethics and high standards of a student program that has not only turned out winning teams, but more importantly, great humans: built on trust, accountability, and respect.
From Coach Jeremy Monson: “Pierz Football has a group of coaches that are unselfish leaders. They put in hard work, they are clear and consistent of student athletes expectations, not only in academics, but as football players as well. We are all on the same page as far as style of play and teach the kids the same things year after year so that they can develop and get good at skills and plays taught. We know our roles, and we have open minds and are able to discuss success or failures with each other and not feel judged.
Leaving here (Pierz) and going to college elsewhere, then teaching/coaching elsewhere, makes me have a new appreciation for this program. What I took for granted, or didn’t even think about: the things Pierz coaches do for the athletes are not commonplace throughout all programs. We have a great system and process. We hold student athletes to a high standard and follow through with the expectations we set. They are taught so well, especially at the varsity level, that when they come off the field, they usually know what they did wrong or how they made a mistake (without being told what they did wrong directly). That to me is not only a mark on great coaching, but also having good learners and students of the game.”
Superintendent George Weber relates successful coaching to motivated teaching: “Teaching how to perform a sport is not unlike teaching any other subject area. You have to break learning into chunks the students can understand and replicate successfully. You have to motivate the student to continually try to improve in each area. You have to show you care and motivate students to perform their very best. Pierz football coaches happen to be among the best teachers. They relate to teenagers, show great care for them as people and learners, see technical details of their subject area that many in their profession do not see, and they find ways to motivate students to keep improving.
Even more interesting is that they do not judge or evaluate by wins and losses. Evaluation is about watching yourself on video perform all the detailed tasks that make for a good play. All students have access and review their personal performance and give and receive constructive feedback from not only their coaches but from their teammates as well. Coaches are excellent at explaining what specific movement by each player at what time could have resulted in greater success: then they practice it.”
According to long-time coach and Activities Director Dave Rocheleau, “Another reason for the program’s success is having a coaching staff who have worked together for many years. The tone for hard work, respect, accountability, and sportsmanship is set early on in our program, starting in 7th grade. Having the coaches together for so many years creates an environment in which the kids know what to expect from their coaches and each other every day, every year.”
As an example of hard work, respect, and doing things the ‘right way’, here is an email from Vern Capelle, who was an official at the game when Pierz played Albany during playoffs this year on November 1. Mr. Capelle is also the Superintendent of Upsala Area School District:
“Wow - what an amazing football game! The score certainly was not indicative of the game. Congratulations to both programs on the accomplishments of this season and wishing the Pioneers good luck moving forward. More importantly, I wanted to let you know how impressed our crew was with both teams and coaching staffs during the game Friday night. There were numerous examples of great sportsmanship (too many to list) and excellent fundamental football. As a crew, we felt very privileged to be a part of the game. This was truly one of the best games that we have had the good fortunate to officiate. Please pass this along to Coach Kleinschmidt and Coach Saehr and the rest of the coaching staffs. Both programs definitely are doing things “the right way”. Your districts clearly have football programs that they can be proud of…which was evident in the stands Friday night.” --Vern Capelle, Ed. S
Before students break for the Thanksgiving holiday, Pioneer football players will be sitting down with 5th and 6th graders at Pioneer to talk to them about hard work, respect, and good sportsmanship. They’ll answer questions. They’ll be present with a pretty excited group of elementary kids who look up to these young men as role models. And role model is not a title these young student athletes take lightly. This act of taking time out to connect with youth reiterates the backbone of Pierz programs: a sense of pride in community.
Congratulations to the student athletes, coaches, families, and the entire Pierz and surrounding communities. It is the hard work, dedication, love, support, respect and accountability from everyone that creates successful students, teams, schools and communities. We have so much to be thankful for. Go Pioneers!
From Coach Jeremy Monson: “Pierz Football has a group of coaches that are unselfish leaders. They put in hard work, they are clear and consistent of student athletes expectations, not only in academics, but as football players as well. We are all on the same page as far as style of play and teach the kids the same things year after year so that they can develop and get good at skills and plays taught. We know our roles, and we have open minds and are able to discuss success or failures with each other and not feel judged.
Leaving here (Pierz) and going to college elsewhere, then teaching/coaching elsewhere, makes me have a new appreciation for this program. What I took for granted, or didn’t even think about: the things Pierz coaches do for the athletes are not commonplace throughout all programs. We have a great system and process. We hold student athletes to a high standard and follow through with the expectations we set. They are taught so well, especially at the varsity level, that when they come off the field, they usually know what they did wrong or how they made a mistake (without being told what they did wrong directly). That to me is not only a mark on great coaching, but also having good learners and students of the game.”
Superintendent George Weber relates successful coaching to motivated teaching: “Teaching how to perform a sport is not unlike teaching any other subject area. You have to break learning into chunks the students can understand and replicate successfully. You have to motivate the student to continually try to improve in each area. You have to show you care and motivate students to perform their very best. Pierz football coaches happen to be among the best teachers. They relate to teenagers, show great care for them as people and learners, see technical details of their subject area that many in their profession do not see, and they find ways to motivate students to keep improving.
Even more interesting is that they do not judge or evaluate by wins and losses. Evaluation is about watching yourself on video perform all the detailed tasks that make for a good play. All students have access and review their personal performance and give and receive constructive feedback from not only their coaches but from their teammates as well. Coaches are excellent at explaining what specific movement by each player at what time could have resulted in greater success: then they practice it.”
According to long-time coach and Activities Director Dave Rocheleau, “Another reason for the program’s success is having a coaching staff who have worked together for many years. The tone for hard work, respect, accountability, and sportsmanship is set early on in our program, starting in 7th grade. Having the coaches together for so many years creates an environment in which the kids know what to expect from their coaches and each other every day, every year.”
As an example of hard work, respect, and doing things the ‘right way’, here is an email from Vern Capelle, who was an official at the game when Pierz played Albany during playoffs this year on November 1. Mr. Capelle is also the Superintendent of Upsala Area School District:
“Wow - what an amazing football game! The score certainly was not indicative of the game. Congratulations to both programs on the accomplishments of this season and wishing the Pioneers good luck moving forward. More importantly, I wanted to let you know how impressed our crew was with both teams and coaching staffs during the game Friday night. There were numerous examples of great sportsmanship (too many to list) and excellent fundamental football. As a crew, we felt very privileged to be a part of the game. This was truly one of the best games that we have had the good fortunate to officiate. Please pass this along to Coach Kleinschmidt and Coach Saehr and the rest of the coaching staffs. Both programs definitely are doing things “the right way”. Your districts clearly have football programs that they can be proud of…which was evident in the stands Friday night.” --Vern Capelle, Ed. S
Before students break for the Thanksgiving holiday, Pioneer football players will be sitting down with 5th and 6th graders at Pioneer to talk to them about hard work, respect, and good sportsmanship. They’ll answer questions. They’ll be present with a pretty excited group of elementary kids who look up to these young men as role models. And role model is not a title these young student athletes take lightly. This act of taking time out to connect with youth reiterates the backbone of Pierz programs: a sense of pride in community.
Congratulations to the student athletes, coaches, families, and the entire Pierz and surrounding communities. It is the hard work, dedication, love, support, respect and accountability from everyone that creates successful students, teams, schools and communities. We have so much to be thankful for. Go Pioneers!
