Message to the 2014 Team

As many of you may have heard, I am taking a leave of absence for the upcoming season. With the birth of my son, and the distances I travel on a daily basis for work and practice, the time constraints just make it too difficult to serve and commit to my family and the football team the way that I should and want to. I've always pledged to never put coaching ahead of my family, just as I preach to the team a family first philosophy. This is a case where that philosophy is being put to the test for me personally. My intent to is be back next year with more passion than ever after a year away from the sport and team I love.  The goal for me, personally, this year is to provide everything my child and wife need during this important first year of his life; to work out the logistics of how I can make coaching work in the future so that a return will be seamless in 2015. I did not want to get into a situation where I was coaching and then had to step away from my duties at any time - leaving the team and coaching staff in a position to scramble to make up for my absence. I have the utmost trust in the current coaching staff that is in place - they are great coaches and even better men. I know the team will thrive and continue to work toward everything we've espoused over the last few years. The fact of the matter is, however, that it is not my absence, or the current coaching staff, that will determine the success of the 2014 tiger football team. As always, the team will be what THE PLAYERS want it to be! The values of the program will not change, nor will the attributes that make a successful team. I know that the coaches have laid out a plan for the improvement and development of this team - academically, socially and athletically. The chance to BE BETTER than ever before awaits the commitment of the players.

This was not a decision that was taken lightly. I will miss the pre-season planning. I will miss the two-a-days in August. I will miss the Friday night lights. Most of all though, I will miss the people that I spend every day with, from August to December. Without football, my travels don't often take me to South Hadley so I felt it important to send this message. Please know that I will be your biggest fan and your staunchest defender as you prove everyone wrong about what this team is capable of next season.

To the players: The team will never be as good as it can be until you care about the success of your teammates as much as your care about your own success. You will be presented with opportunities, daily, to Be Better. It's what you do with those opportunities, individually and as a team, that will make all the difference in the world. 

181 days until E.L. !!

Best of Luck
Coach Scammons