Troy High's football program joined forces with the Play it Smart program in 2008 (click here to read my story about it from the time) which backs the Troy High coaching staff in offering its players off the field with additional help in the classroom and through community service events.

The team is hosting on August 8 at Frear Park Golf Course and is looking for a few more foursomes. For more information on how to sign up, click on the information sheet and sign-up forms posted below.

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Here is the text of a letter detailing the outing and the goals of the Play it Smart program:

Dear Friends and Families,

On August 8th, 2010 at Frear Park in Troy, we will be conducting our 2nd annual golf outing to help support the Troy High football Play it Smart program. The Play it Smart Program was established in 1998 by the National Football Foundation to emphasize academics in addition to the football component of a player’s life.

The six Play it Smart Goals are:
1. Improve Grade Point Average
2. Increase the number of students taking college entrance tests and improve their scores
3. Increase graduation rate
4. Enhance life skills development
5. Increase opportunities for community service
6. Increase parental and family involvement

Troy High was the only school in the Capital Region that was accepted into this national program and our involvement started during the summer of 2008 at the national conference in Texas. Play it Smart is funded by the Capital Region Sponsor a Scholar Program through private donations. We are very fortunate to be associated with Sponsor a Scholar, as they were selected the number one Not for Profit Organization in the Capital Region.

Play it Smart assisted students in taking all necessary college entrance tests. SAT tests were funded for all eligible seniors. Sophomores and Juniors were funded to take the PSAT tests. Seniors and juniors attended SAT Prep classes, numerous players received academic tutoring using RPI students and Troy teachers, college applications were subsidized for all seniors and student / athletes received assistance in completing NCAA Clearinghouse items.

Twenty two Play it Smart players received 172 college credits through the College in the HS program with HVCC and SUNY Albany and received financial assistance. Counseling services were provided to each student and family. This year’s seniors will be attending the following colleges: W.P.I., Hartwick, Morrisville, L.S.U., Dominican, Syracuse, and HVCC. Seven players are plan on continuing to play football on the college level and two plan on playing college lacrosse.

We are asking for your help to continue to provide these important services to our student / athletes by being a part of our golf outing. The attached flyer will give all details of the event and explain how you can become a part of the Play it Smart family.

Sincerely,

Jack Burger
Head Football Coach

Harry Peterson
Academic Coach
Play It Smart Golf Tourney 2010 Sign-up sheet

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