	AllExperts > High School Life
	Search

About Northstar
Expertise
I can answer questions about dating, sex, abuse, conflict with teachers, conflict with parents (or siblings), applying to colleges, time management, playing sports, and anything else you can think of to throw my way. I have been involved with sports all my life, and I played for a Division 1 college so I know a lot about time management and how difficult it can be to juggle being social and hitting the books. I have had many different kinds of romantic relationships and have dealt with abuse first hand. I have two siblings so I know how rocky things can get sometimes. My parents were very strict while I was growing up, and I understand how suffocating that can feel. I graduated from college in May with a B.A. in History and I know how stressful and intimidating college life can seem. I have valuable life experiences that will allow me to help people with a wide array of problems. Although it's been four years since I was in high school, I have not forgotten what it is like to be a shy freshman walking down unfamiliar halls, wondering if I'll like my classes or make any friends. I also have experience with long distance relationships, and grieving with the loss of a loved one. I am very patient and thoughtful and I will do everything within in my power to provide useful answers and meaningful pieces of advice.

Experience
I have coached high school aged women in both basketball and volleyball, and as a result I got to know all of them personally and helped them navigate their problems. I have dealt first hand with everything from relationship abuse to severe fatigue as a result of over exerting myself. I understand the demands of a busy life, and also the social pressures that teenagers deal with today. Furthermore, I have experience with underage drinking and I know how difficult it is to stand up for what you believe in when all your friends are pushing you to do something you rather not.

Education/Credentials
B.A. in History, I have also mentored many high school aged women in athletic camps.

You are here: Experts > Teens > High School Life > High School Life > starting a team

High School Life - starting a team

Expert: Northstar - 10/27/2009

Question
I am a jr at Francis Lewis HS and I want to start a football team for the school but the principal says "we don't have enough money".- Bullshit. We have programs which involve fundraisers such as JROTC. I started making a petition for a football team as well but where can I come up with $10,000? I also came up with several ideas for example, our school puts a cardboard box in each room collecting bottle caps... As a student I know no one cares about the bottle caps so why not put cardboard boxes near the main entrance and in rooms accepting donations for a football team. But the principal wouldn't allow us to do this.

Answer
Get involved with the student council at your school, ask them to bring this issue up. A lot goes into starting up any team, but football especially. Instead of accusing your school faculty leader of being lazy, do some leg work of your own.

Meet with fellow students, and find out which of them would be interested in playing football. Have them sign a pseudo roster. Go to a local sports store, and ask them if they make special deals for school teams and get a quote on football equipment. Remember you're going to need pads for every player, practice equipment, field goals, etc. Do the same thing for team uniforms. Get the names a few coaches that would be interested in working with a brand new start up team. Get the parents involved as well. This would be a great issue to bring to the attention of the parent's association at your school. If you can get both the students and parents involved you'll have a better chance of success.

Does your school have a field that can be converted into a football field? Keep in mind that a lot of money will have to be spent upkeeping a field and spectator stands. I think it's great that you want to start a football team, but you're going to have your work cut out for you if you really want to make this work.

If you have a school newspaper, go to them and get an advertisement put in, or simply a poll to start. You need to get the student body involved as much as possible. Hopefully they'll be able to donate time and money to help your cause. You should also go to the cheerleader squads and your school band. If you can convince them that they'd have a blast playing during games, you'll have that much more momentum.

You should also consider taking your story to a small local newspaper, the added press will do more than spread word of your cause- it will also add pressure on your school to be more helpful. Don't badmouth the administration, simply say that, "I hope our school's administration will support their students and help make this dream a reality."

And just because you can't campaign openly for your cause at SCHOOL, doesn't mean you can't campaign for it elsewhere. Go to local shops and stores, get permission to put out donation boxes. Hold a fundraiser, a bookdrive, cookie sale, car wash, etc. Go to the other sports teams at your school, ask your fellow athletes for support. Athletes generally have a strong sense of comradarie, ask the track runners/volleyball players, basketball players/swimmers etc how they would feel if they could no longer play for the school. Ask them to help you raise awareness. They could make announcements for donations at all the home games they have, and keep a donation box at the entrance.

You can also ask for help from the boy/girl scouts near you, I'm almost certain they would enjoy taking part in this project.

My point is that you need to spread awareness, increase your support, and do a lot of research to make this work.

Good luck!

Add to this Answer Ask a Question