Just a reminder to stop by and watch the Spartans Practice on June 2, 2012 anytime between 11:30 and 1 PM. After practice, please join the WFA at Beverly Hills Tavern – click for additional information.
Toast Former AD Matt Ecker
The Wyomissing Education Foundation is hosting a special toast for former Wyomissing Athletic Director Matt Ecker on June 6 (4-7 PM) at 3rd and Spruce. If you can, stop by and pay tribute to Matt, a fantastic AD, teacher, and person who has always been a big supporter of the football program. All proceeds benefit grants to professionals (teachers, counselors, coaches, & special needs to mention a few). Last year, more than $7,000 was raised by WAEF Toasts and given to support programs that needed equipment that the school district could not afford due to budget cuts. More information is available at the WAEF website - www.wyoarea-foundation.org.
Mark your calendars
Football season will be here before you know it, and we’re excited to let you know that the WFA will be hosting another event on June 2, 2012. Last year we raised enough money to go towards the purchase of an end zone camera for the team, and we are hoping to sustain momentum in 2012 to help the Spartan Football program achieve big things in the upcoming season.
Alumni and Friends are invited to stop by a Spartan football spring practice on June 2 (a Saturday) anytime between 11:30 AM and 1 PM to watch practice, reunite with old teammates, and take a quick tour of the new field house.
After practice, we will be moving the fun over to the Beverly Hills Tavern. A buffet and nonalcoholic beverages will be provided for $20. (All attendants must be 21+)
Also, we will be opening up membership to the Wyomissing Football Association for 2012 at our spring event. Details about membership can be found here. For all prospective members joining us at the Tavern, your $20 entry fee will go towards membership.
It is important that we have your support for the team. Please feel free to bring family/friends to practice and encourage folks that you know to take part in what will be a great day. This organization is not limited to football alumni – we know there are so many mothers, fathers, fans and friends that are just as important to this program as the players and coaches.
Thank you for your support – and as always, please share this communication on to anyone with an interest in the program.
The WFA Board
Then and Now: Alumni Profile on Kevin Neff
Years Played or Associated with Wyomissing Area Football Program:
1984-86
Positions Played:
Fullback/DB
Greatest Memory:
I would have to point to the Holy Name game when I was just a sophmore in 1984. We were playing Holy Name late in the season at St. Lawrence field on a friday night. It was by far the biggest crowd we played in front of and we were tied for first place with them. The bus ride down was loud and inspiring, we were just so pumped up. One of our senior captains, Chris Raab had a few choice words as we were in our circle before the game. The entire team exploded, man were we ever ready for that game. We won 10-6 in a game that was as emotional and nerve racking as I ever played in. It truly was a game memories are made from.
Best Story:
Well, when I showed up for summer camp my third day as a sophmore I was late. As I was walking to the locker room Jack Paris saw me and asked me if I slept well. I said yes as I was walking and he went into a tirade about the fact that then I better get my A– moving and to stop walking. Guess what, I ran the rest of the way. When I put on my equipment my cleats were filled with shampoo. I had to practice with mushy wet shoes all morning. I guess this was my initiation from some of the seniors.
Biggest Thing You Took From Being Associated With The Program:
Friendships, discipline, the sheer rush of being in something together with one goal and that was to win. We weren’t the biggest, fastest, or most talented team. However, we won two I-C championships during my three years and we did it because we were well coached, prepared, and probably just to young and dumb to know that we probably beat some teams we had no business beating. Over two decades later, we still talk about the days of WYO football with fond memories.
Current City:
Bernville, PA
Current Job:
Berks County Prison
Family:
Married with two children
What You Would Like to See From the WFA:
I think the alumni association is doing a great job, keep up the good work.
Then and Now: Alumni Profile on Nick Wojciechowski
Years Played or Associated with Wyomissing Area Football Program:Played from ’99– ’01 Coach from ”05- Present
Positions Played:
OT/DT
Greatest Memory:
My greatest memories include being yelled at by Coach Mitchell in Junior High for not knowing my blocking rules. If you’ve ever been yelled at, I mean REALLY yelled at by Mitch, you don’t forget it.
Also doing “opportunities” after one bad practice in varsity. To this day, I swear Coach Hartman was making them up as he went.
As far as games go, I remember traveling to Mount Carmel Sophomore year (’99), Beating Muhlenberg Junior Year (’00), Double OT District Playoff win against Juniata @ Wilson (’00), District Championship Run Senior Year (’01).
Best Story:
One football related story that I’ll never forget was during the Weiser game my Junior year (’00). We were driving toward the scoreboard, and at one point needed to make a 3rd down conversion. I don’t recall the play, but I have a feeling I was supposed to make a block, and didn’t. We didn’t convert and on 4th Down, I ran off the field in disgust. As I pouted, kicked some dirt around and drank some water, I began to hear people screaming my name. Turns out we were well inside the 20 yard line and were kicking a field goal, and I was on the field goal/ extra point team. I ran as fast as I could (a slow trot) onto the field and was immediately berated by Jeff (holder), Nolan (kicker) and everyone else on the field. I can only imagine what the coaches were thinking, since I know what I think when players that I coach do something like that. The only retort I could think of was “I thought we were punting.”
The other story I remember wasn’t really football related. A group of guys from my class began a tradition in Junior High of going out to dinner to the local Old Country Buffet each week. We ate like pigs, fooled around, and generally bonded each week at dinner. One week, late in the season, I don’t even remember the year, we decided to go on a Wednesday. Usually, we ended up going between 7:00 and 7:30pm by the time we got home from practice and assembled. That day we were having an awful practice, and Coach Wolfrum had had enough. We got kicked out of practice early. Normally, this was the worst thing that could happen, especially late in the season. That day, however, since that was our OCB day, we couldn’t contain our excitement. We were done soon enough to go to OCB early. We rushed to shower and get home, and actually ate dinner at a decent hour. As we entered OCB, all excited about our extra feasting-time, who was eating dinner a few tables away but Coach and Mrs. Wolfrum. I think we did our best to pretend how upset we were about the bad practice, but as soon as he left we erupted.
Biggest Thing You Took From Being Associated With The Program:
Discipline. Motivation. The idea that if you work hard, good things happen. Friendship, camaraderie.
Current City:
Sinking Spring, Pa
Current Job:
5th Grade Teacher, Schuylkill Valley Middle School
Family:
Wife, Sue, Baby #1 due in July
What You Would Like to See From the WFA:
Opportunities to socialize with former players/teammates and coaches. Opportunities to help out the current group of players and coaches through fund raising. Highlight the history of the program.
