THUNDERBIRD FOOTBALL

“USE THE GAME OF FOOTBALL TO DEVELOP YOUNG MEN IN THE GAME OF LIFE.”

COMMUNICATION & SOCIAL MEDIA

Remind App

Email

COMMITTMENT TO EXCELLENCE

T-Bird Football Program

PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY

We will field a team that excels on the field, achieves in the classroom, and positively impacts our school and community.  Every athlete in our program will be treated with respect and dignity as we strive to reach our potential as a team and as individuals.  We will honor the great game of football by always playing with class, within the rules and as hard as we physically can.

 Provide an Environment for Learning

  • #1 Priority is the welfare of the players

  • Safe, reconditioned & new equipment

  • Coaches constantly being educated of teaching skills

  • Teaching proper fundamentals with the safest technique

  • Practice & video to develop players & the team

Develop a Strong Program & Tradition

  • Desire to win

  • State playoffs

  • Be a T-Bird forever

Promote a Family Atmosphere

  • Touchdown Club - Booster Club (Information at Bottom of Page)

    • pre-game dinners, game snacks & drinks, posters

  • Team Camp

    • Mom’s Clinic, Dads vs Son's game, Alumni Game, Cookouts

  • Fundraisers

    • Hunk Auctions, Battle of the Bigs Lineman Challenge, Touchdown Club Sponsorships, Card Sales

  • End of Season Banquet

  • Promote Family & Community Support

Promote Qualities that Players will use in Everyday Life

Character - Accountability - Leadership - Communication - Resilience - Time Management - Teamwork - Respect - Discipline Humility - Perseverance - Community Engagement

Provide a Program that is Positive & Rewarding for Players

  • Improved athletic performance

  • See progress/sense of accomplishment with hard work

  • Recognition from teammates, coaches, family, etc.

  • Change in body composition, improving confidence and self-esteem

  • Competitive experiences for multi-sport athletes

  • Enhanced resume for future opportunities

    • College Student-Athlete Eligibility Information at the bottom of the page

2024 OFF-SEASON - SUMMER SCHEDULE

RED DAWN

Team Unity, Toughness, & Agility Development

Four Wednesday Mornings from 6:45a - 7:45a in the North Gym

Dates: February 28th, March 6th, March 20th, & March 27th

Practice Equipment Checkout: Wednesday May 15th (Seniority & Red Dawns made determine order)

All players are expected to attend Red Dawns

WIN THE SUMMER!

Prepare for the Players & Team for the Season

SUMMER WEIGHTS - PRACTICE

Mondays - Thursdays - May 28th - July 18th

(Except Week 1 is Tuesday May 28th - Friday May 31st)

  • Strength & Conditioning - 6:15a - 7:30a

  • Practice - 7:30a - 8:30a

  • Strength & Conditioning - 8:30a - 10a

Each football related activity counts as an opportunity. The expectations are for each player to make 40+ opportunities, 50+ for a summer T-Shirt, & 70+ to receive pocket shorts & a varsity letter.

Game uniforms will be handed out based on seniority in the program (opportunities determine order within class).

There will be a summer contest with rewards for the team with the most opportunities.

NO FOOTBALL/WEIGHTS JULY 1ST - 7TH - KSHSAA MANDATRY MORATORIUM

HIGH SCHOOL TEAM CAMP

Tuesday May 28th - Friday May 31st 3p - 6:30p

Tuesday May 28th - Seniors vs Alumni @ 5:45p

Wednesday May 29th - Moms/Aunts/Sisters/etc. Clinic @ 5:45p

Thursday May 30th - Dads/Uncles/Brothers/etc. Clinic @ 5:45p

Friday May 31st - Family Cookout @ 5p

TEAM SCRIMMAGES

Tuesday June 11th 7:30a vs Lawrence HS @ Shawnee Heights

Wednesday June 26th 9a vs Eudora HS & Olathe Northwest HS @ Eudora HS

Thursday July 18th 6:30p vs Holton @ Holton HS

UCM TEAM CAMP

Friday June 14th - Sunday June 16th

Warrensburg Missouri

Leave SHHS Friday @ 8a - Return to SHHS Sunday @ 2p

MIDDLE SCHOOL CAMP

Monday June 3rd - Thursday June 6th 10a - 11:30a

YOUTH FOOTBALL CAMP

Monday June 10th - Thursday June 13th 10a - 11:30a

YOUTH SPEED & AGILITY CAMP

Monday July 8th - Thursday July 11th 10a - 11a

SENIOR LED WEIGHTS

Monday August 5th - Thursday August 8th 7a - 8a

SPORTS PHYSICAL

Players must get a sports physical EACH YEAR DATED AFTER MAY 1st

Get this done BEFORE Practice Begins in the Fall - DO NOT WAIT until the last minute!!

**CALENDAR & DATES PENDING BOARD APPROVAL**

1st Week of School

  • Monday August 12th - 1st Day of School 9th Grade ONLY

    • OPEN WEIGHTS -

      Monday August 12th @ 3pm

  • Tuesday August 13th - 1st Day of School 10th - 12th Grade

    • OPEN WEIGHTS - Tuesday August 13th @ 3pm

  • Wednesday August 14th - Friday August 16th

    • BOOT CAMP - @ 3p - 4p

    • EQUIPMENT CHECK OUT - @ 4p

1st Week of Practice

  • Monday August 19th: 2:50p - 6:15p HELMETS ONLY

    • Parent Meeting 6p HS Auditorium

  • Tuesday August 20th: 2:50p - 6:15p HELMETS ONLY

  • Wednesday August 21st: 2:50p - 6:15p HELMETS & SHOULDER PADS

  • Thursday August 22nd: 2:50p - 6:15p HELMETS & SHOULDER PADS

  • Friday August 23rd: 2:50p - 7p FULL PADS

    • Uniform Check Out & Team/Individual Pictures

  • Saturday August 24th: 8a - 11a FULL PADS TEAM SCRIMMAGE

2nd Week of Practice

  • Monday August 26th: 2:50p - 6:15p FULL PADS

  • Tuesday August 27th: 2:50p - 6:15p FULL PADS

  • Wednesday August 28th: 2:50p - 6:15p FULL PADS

  • Thursday August 29th: 2:50p - 6:15p HELMETS & SHOULDER PADS ONLY

  • Friday August 30th: 6p/7p BLUE & WHITE SCRIMMAGE

Senior Night - TBD

Youth Football Night - TBD

* Acknowledging the Young Thunderbirds youth tackle football program

Homecoming - TBD

GAME SCHEDULES

Varsity

Date

Time

Opponent

W/L

Score

Friday September 6th

7p

Away @ Washburn Rural

Friday September 13th

7p

Away @ Topeka West (Hummer Sports Park)

Friday September 20th

7p

Home vs Basehor-Linwood

Friday September 27th

7p

Home vs Leavenworth

Friday October 4th

7p

Away @ De Soto

Friday October 11th

7p

Home vs Seaman

Friday October 18th

7p

Home vs Lansing

Friday October 25th

7p

Away @ Turner

Friday November 1st

7p

November 1st - Week 9

Friday November 8th

7p

November 8th - Regionals

Friday November 15th

7p

November 15th - Sectionals

Friday November 22nd

7p

November 22nd - Sub-State

Saturday November 29th @ Pittsburg State

1p

November 29th - State

JV

Date

Time

Opponent

W/L

Score

Monday September 9th

*6:15p

Home vs Washburn Rural

Monday September 16th

*6:15p

Home vs Topeka West

Monday September 23rd

*6:15p

Away @ Basehor-Linwood

Monday September 30th

*6:15p

Away @ Leavenworth

Monday October 7th

*6:15p

Home vs De Soto

Monday October 14th

*6:15p

Away @ Seaman

Monday October 21st

*6:15p

Away @ Lansing

Monday October 28th

*6:15p

Home vs Turner

*Time is determined by when the Freshman game ends*

*JV game usually starts shortly after the conclusion of the Freshman game*

Freshman

Date

Time

Opponent

W/L

Score

Monday September 9th

4:30p

Home vs Washburn Rural

Monday September 16th

4:30p

Home vs Topeka West

Monday September 23rd

4:30p

Away @ Basehor-Linwood

Monday September 30th

4:30p

Away @ Leavenworth

Monday October 7th

4:30p

Home vs De Soto

Monday October 14th

4:30p

Away @ Seaman

Monday October 21st

4:30p

Away @ Lansing

Monday October 28th

4:30p

Home vs Turner

2023 ROSTERS

2024 GAME PICTURE LINKS

Washburn Rural

Topeka West

Basehor-Linwood

Leavenworth

De Soto

Seaman

Lansing

Turner

Week 9

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Lansing

BUILDING TRADITION BRICK BY BRICK

62 Years of Thunderbird Football

8 Win Seasons

7 Win Seasons

6 Win Seasons

2023 - 1994 - 1973

2017 - 2014 - 1979

2008 - 2007 - 2006 - 2001

League Champions

Regional Champions

Sectional Champions

2017 - 1994

2023

2014

State Placer Team

2014 = 3rd

THUNDERBIRD FOOTBALL HONORS & AWARDS

2023 Regional Champions

Regional Champs

ok

Tuesday July 9th, 2024 @ Shawnee Heights - 5:30p

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BOB

2024 Team Results

1st Place -

2nd Place -

3rd Place -

4th Place -

5th Place

6th Place -

7th Place -

Top 5 athlete individual scores per school are counted towards the total team score

Scoring

Points will be given for each event and then the individual athlete will be given a total score for all the events completed. The athlete with the highest individual score will be awarded the individual Battle of the Bigs Lineman Challenge winner. For team results the top 5 athletes with the highest point totals on each team will count towards that teams overall score. If a team has less than 5 all athletes scores will count. Bench press reps will be the tie breaker as needed.

EVENTS

185 # Bench Press for Reps

Sled Push

Medicine Ball Throw

Obstacle Course

Sled Pull

40 Yard Dash Scoop & Score

Pro-Agility

Pursuit

Tire Flip

Team Results

Top 5 individual athlete scores per school are counted towards the total team score

2023

2022

2021

1st Place - Blue Valley High School - 1061 Points

2nd Place - Shawnee Heights High School - 975 Points

3rd Place - Ottawa High School - 933 Points

4th Place - Washburn Rural High School - 911 Points

5th Place - Topeka West High School - 814 Points

6th Place - Santa Fe Trail High School - 789 Points

7th Place - *Royal Valley High School - 386 Points

* Only had 3 individual's points counted towards the final score

1st Place - Blue Valley High School - 984 Points

2nd Place - Shawnee Heights High School - 956 Points

3rd Place - Basehor-Linwood High School - 932 Points

4th Place - Washburn Rural High School - 911 Points

5th Place - Royal Valley High School - 741 Points

6th Place - Topeka West High School - 461 Points

1st Place - Blue Valley High School - 1014 Points

2nd Place - Shawnee Heights High School - 966 Points

3rd Place - Basehor-Linwood High School - 935 Points

4th Place - Washburn Rural High School - 855 Points

5th Place - Santa Fe Trail High School - 806 Points

6th Place - Royal Valley High School - 760 Points

7th Place - Lansing High School - 458 Points

8th Place - Topeka West High School - 450 Points

Individual Results

2024

2023

2022

2021

Alex Dawkins

Zach Pombo

Levi Bittel

Shawnee Heights HS

Blue Valley HS

Blue Valley HS

223 Points

208 Points

213 Points

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Stadium

COACHES & STAFF

YTB

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YTB

Program Philosophy

The Young Thunderbirds tackle football program focuses on the 3 F’s; Fundamentals, Fun, and Future for players grades 1st-6th.  The program and the coaches focus on teaching the correct fundamentals to the youth so that they are better prepared for future athletics.  Coaches will expect a lot out of players but in return players will grow athletically, learn character, and develop team work.  Once the players grasp the fundamentals the program focuses on fun.  Youth sports are a time for athletes to develop and learn more about life than what is on the scoreboard or the end of the year record of wins and losses.  We do not allow college or professional recruiters at practice or games so the players do not need to perform at an elite level.  If a player does not have fun then they will not want to continue the game and the focus is to have our players eager to play each season.  The future is bright.  If the program teaches fundamentals and fun then the future comes next.  The goal of the program is to develop young athletes with great character and continue to play the sport. 

Coaching Philosophy

All coaches need to be USA football certified to be on the field during tackle practice, even if it is just holding bags.  We work together as a whole and good competition brings out the best in players but bad sportsmanship (against our own teams or opponents) will not be tolerated.  Football is the ultimate team sport so team cohesiveness is a must.  A team must bond and recognize each player has a role and each role is vital.  We are a team so we look like a team (game day uniforms match, including socks).  Coaches need to expect their players to make practices and if a player is going to miss they need to get the coach that information (taking attendance is highly recommended).  Coaches will explain to parents the 24 hour rule before the season starts and remind them often throughout the season.  This 24 hour rule means that discussions about a game, coaching, or an instance where emotions are high or an individual is upset, the issue is not discussed until 24 hours have passed.  This is to allow all parties involved to emotionally level out, regain the ability to think critically, and have the ability to have a rational conversation, this includes message threads and virtual communication. 

Parent Expectations

Parent are expected to support the coaches and the program.  Parents are not to yell at any player, coach, other fans in attendance during practice or games.  Parents are expected to support the coaches decisions and not undermine the coaching, positions, or philosophies at practice or games, or at home.  Parents are expected to communicate with coaches if a player will not be at practice or a game.  Parents are expected to get their player(s) to events on time.  Parents are expected to set a good example for all the players. 

Player Expectations

Players are expected to be at all events and to give 100% effort and focus.  Players are expected to be great teammates and support all players and teams in the program.  Players are expected to be on time to all events.  Players are expected to listen and focus during events.  Players are to be respectful during all events.  Players are expected to learn the game so that they can play their positions correctly and take ownership of the role they have within the team.  Players are expected to learn the fundamentals of the game.  Players are expected to be team players and not individuals; including but not limited to, game uniform, game socks, no special game apparel (pink for breast cancer).  If the program decides to do something unique all will be included and it will be for a purpose. 

For more Information on the program contact us at:

www.youngthunderbirds.com

youngthunderbirds@yahoo.com

https://www.facebook.com/youngthunderbirds

 

TD Club

What is the TOUCHDOWN CLUB (TDC)? 

We are non-profit organization comprised of dedicated parents and community members that support SHHS football. Our organization is here to assist the players to grow with the program allowing them to have the best experience possible. By joining TDC, it is an opportunity to get involved and show your support for a group of young adults who have come together through hard work. 

Where Do the Fees Go? 
TDC uses these funds to purchase football equipment and accessories for the players. We have purchased equipment bags, sled pads, an end zone camera and an extended Hudl package (football statics website). Other items on the programs wish list are towers for the cameras, the ability to purchase better equipment and even possibly add another coach. These are only possible with the support of our family, friends, and our community. Please consider becoming a member.

Stay In Touch
Facebook: 
https://www.facebook.com/ThunderbirdTouchdownClub
Email: ShawneeHeightsTDC@gmail.com

How Can You Help Our Team? 
•    Join the Touchdown Club

•    Volunteer to help with Thursday night dinners, meals and hydration, fundraising events.
•    Attend Touchdown Club meetings. 
•    Volunteer at a football events or before/after games.
•    Serve and/or Donate beverages/snacks at away games, donate cases of water and Gatorade, bring to each game.
•    Plan team meals. Help serve and/or contribute to team meals.
•    Purchase Touchdown Club spirit wear/items.

Shawnee Heights High School football program encourages the spirit of sportsmanship, teamwork, and honesty so that our young men & women become can become better citizens in our community.  

See you at the game! GO THUNDERBIRDS!

Touchdown Club Membership Options

2024 Options Coming Soon!

Touchdown Club Meetings

All are invited to attend meetings!

All are invited to attend TDC meetings that take place at various local establishments. Watch SHHS Touchdown Club Facebook page for the next meeting date and location, typically held once a month. If you prefer to be contacted for upcoming meetings in another way reach out to one of the TD Club officers listed below. We look forward to seeing you and Go T-Birds!

Facebook Page Link

Touchdown Club Sponsorship Information

Thunderbird Touchdown Club (TDC) is reaches out annual to our neighbor family, friends, local companies, and community leaders for sponsorship.  Some of the annual events that are available for sponsorship are: Battle of the Bigs, Red Dawn, Grid Iron Auction, and season support.  

Due to the continual reduction of education funding, the needs grow every year. Your donation allows the TDC to help with the team's needs which includes things such as:  hydration, summer camps, uniform needs, equipment, camera, website, away meals, post season needs and other unforeseen expenses.  

Consider becoming a sponsor and help us make Shawnee Heights High School Football a better experience for our players! 

Touchdown Club Sponsor Form Link - 2024 Form COMING SOON!

2024 Touchdown Club Leadership

POSITION

OFFICER

EMAIL

President

Brianna Brown

brownbrirn25@yahjoo.com

Vice President

Shannon Eastman

shannone@butlerlaw.com

Treasurer

Megan Skaggs

meganskaggs@sbcglobal.net

Secretary

Heidi Kutscher

heidi.kutscher@yahoo.com

Social Media

Brenna Scott

brereece@yahoo.com

Freshman Class Reps

Betsy Hossain

betsy_hossain@yahoo.com

Megan Niedfeldt

megs.niedfeldt@gmail.com

Kelley Lincoln

klincoln4476@gmail.com

Sophomore Class Reps

Wendy Owens

buzymamaof6@gmail.com

Nicole Daniels

danielsn@usd450.net

Junior Class Rep

Melody Klarer

walker0522@yahoo.com

Senior Class Rep

Jenessa Busenitz

2hearts@sbcglobal.net

The TDC would like to thank our 2024 Sponsors

COLLEGE STUDENT-ATHLETE ELIGIBILITY

NCAA

NAIA

College Eligibility Differences

 

NCAA Division I

NCAA Division II

NCAA Division III

NAIA

16 Core-Courses GPA of 2.3+

4 Years of English                     

3 Years of Math

2 Years of Science

1 Year of Additional Math/Science/or English

2 Years of Social Studies

4 Years of Additional Math/Science/English/Social Studies/World Language

*Recommend (not required) to follow the Kansas Scholars Curriculum


*10 of the 16 need to be completed by end of Junior Year AND 7 of those 10 must be in English, Math, or Science 

16 Core-Courses GPA of 2.2+

3 Years of English   

2 Years of Math

2 Years of Science

3 Years of Additional Math/Science/or English

2 Years of Social Studies

4 Years of Additional Math/Science/English/Social Studies/World Language

*Recommend (not required) to follow the Kansas Scholars Curriculum

Each NCAA Division III school determines its own eligibility for Student-Athletes

(1) Academic Requirements

(2) Admission

(3) Financial Aid

Overall GPA of 2.3+ WITHOUT qualifying test score 

OR

2 of the following: 

(1) GPA of 2.0+ 

(2) Qualifying test score (ACT=18+ SAT=970+) 

(3) Rank in top 50% of your graduating class

QR Code to NCAA & NAIA Resources

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