INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES & STUDENT-ATHLETES
PROGRAM UPDATES
2024 SUMMER PRACTICE DATES
Our football program had 11 practices over the summer. The practices were an important opportunity for our players to acclimate to our new team culture, learn new techniques, and learn our new schemes.
Following were the summer practice dates (they should be similar dates in 2025).
Grades 10 thru 12:
June 17, 18, & 20, 8 to 11 a.m.
Grades 9 thru 12:
July 15 - 18, 8 to 11 a.m.
July 22 - 25, 8 to 11 a.m.
The full season program practice schedule can be found here. Click the tabs at the bottom of each sheet to toggle between season segments. It also can be found on the Calendar webpage.
EAST SUMMER STRENGTH & SPEED PROGRAM
In order for us to accomplish our goals this fall, we need to get bigger, stronger, and faster. Therefore, we encourage our players to participate in the East Summer Strength & Speed Program.
This new program, conducted by trained strength coaches, provides an opportunity for our student-athletes to participate in sport-specific strength, speed, and flexibility training.
Training will be conducted most Mondays thru Thursdays (June 10 thru August 8) from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. The fee to participate is $50.
Find more information here. East students interested in participating can sign-up here. Contact Coach Clark at david.clark@isd709.org with questions.
GUARDIAN CAP DONATION!
We are excited to announce that an extremely generous anonymous donor has provided funds for us to purchase Guardian caps!
Here is more information about Guardian caps. They are impact-reducing, soft shell helmet covers that can help reduce player head injuries. The NFL recently mandated that their players wear the caps during practice.
This donation will enable us to provide the caps for each player who participates in East football (C-Team, J.V. & Varsity). The caps will be worn by all players in practices and scrimmages.
Although we unfortunately can never fully protect our players from injury, we will always strive to provide the most protective equipment, teach the proper technique, and conduct the most appropriate drills to help reduce the chances of injury.
Thank you to our anonymous donor!
GEAR STORE
The gear store is now closed.
For a two week window starting, Friday, May 31 and ending June 13, we will offer an online gear store through our equipment supplier BSN Sports.
The store will offer football cleats, gloves, and compression fit shirts for sale in our team colors (black, red, white, gray). A portion of the sales will serve as a fundraiser for our football program.
Remember, we encourage players to buy cleats and gloves in our team colors. Exposed shirts and bottoms worn under game uniforms are required to be black.
Here is a link to the gear store. This is separate from our apparel store, which can be found here.
NEW TOUCHDOWN CLUB ONLINE APPAREL STORE
The Duluth East Touchdown Club has launched a new apparel store here. Players, parents/guardians, family members, administrators, students, and fans are sure to find gear to help show their Hound Football pride.
Did you know that when you purchase this apparel you are supporting the Touchdown Club and Hound Football? It's true. A portion of each sale is returned to the booster club and used to support the needs of the football program.
The apparel makes great birthday, holiday, and, well, any day gifts! Join the Hound Football P.A.C.K. today!
JOIN BAND: OUR NEW TEAM COMMUNICATIONS APP
In an effort to provide more direct and immediate communications with our players, coaches, and families, we have decided to use Band as a communications tool.
Band is a phone app that enables the coaching staff to communicate schedule updates, bus departure/arrival times, event info, and more in real time. Both players and families should join Band.
Click this link or scan the QR code below to join Band. You will need to download the Band app from the app store.
SUMMER EQUIPMENT RENTAL
2024 Equipment Rental is Closed.
East High School football players are allowed to rent football equipment to use at summer camps (helmet, shoulder pads, practice jersey, practice pants with pads and girdle).
This equipment will be distributed on June 4 & 5 from 3:30 to 4 p.m. outside the second level equipment room. The cost to rent the equipment for the summer is $40. Checks (made payable to Duluth East Activities) or cash are accepted at the time of rental.
Players are responsible for the care of the equipment. Each player will be required to sign a use agreement. Keep in mind, our helmets each cost $500 so please be responsible with the equipment.
This form will be completed by each player during the distribution process (not now). It also has a link to the Equipment Use Agreement.
2024 FAMILY INFORMATIONAL MEETING INFO
Following is information presented during the Family Informational Meeting that was held on Wednesday, May 15. Please review these documents if you were not able to attend the meeting.
The Summary Page contains a list of required steps each student-athlete must complete to participate in the football program.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL CAMPS
Attending a college football camp during the summer can help improve a player's skills and get them recruiting exposure. Following are area camps to consider. Keep in mind, our team has 11 practices scheduled over the summer which should be our priority.
VIRTUES OF TRACK & FIELD
The schemes our football program utilizes function best with players who have speed. Our linemen get off the ball with explosiveness and our backs move with quickness.
The best way to improve your speed is to be taught by those who teach those techniques every day - track coaches.
If our players are able, we encourage them to join the track team. Even if they have no interest in meets, they can join track to supplement their strength training.
Find more information here.
FAMILY WELCOME EMAIL
Read the welcome email from Coach Tetreault to families.
Note: The Football Family Informational Meeting is scheduled to be held in the East H.S. auditorium on May 15 at 6:30 p.m. All players (grades 8-11) and parents/guardians are encouraged to attend.
IMPORTANT LINKS
PROGRAM HANDBOOK
We encourage parents and student-athletes to review our football program handbook. This contains our standards and expectations for all involved with the program.
PLAYER QUESTIONNAIRE
Attention Student-Athletes:
Student-athletes interested in participating in Varsity, Junior Varsity, or C-Team (freshmen) football in 2024 should complete the player questionnaire.
FALL TO-DO LIST
The following tasks must be completed by August 12:
HUDL PRACTICE & GAME VIDEO
Our program utilizes Hudl, a web-based video editing application, to breakdown and view our practice and game video. Players who want to improve their skills and have success on the field should watch video of our practices, games, and upcoming opponents. This is an essential ingredient to our success.
That being said, in the interest of maintaining competitive advantages over our opponents, we need to ensure our video stays in our football family. Please do not share our video with anyone else.
FOOTBALL ALUMNI CONNECTION
Attention Duluth East H.S. football alumni, our goal is to connect with you to build a group of people who can share in our experience of building a championship program.
In some manner, you all can impact our program. It may be as simple as attending a game, joining the coaching staff, sponsoring the program, offering motivational words after a practice, donating funds to support the program, or something else to express your support.
Please start reconnecting with the football program by completing this form.
EAST TOUCHDOWN CLUB
The Duluth East Touchdown Club is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and improving the sport of football at East High School. The club strives to help present equal opportunities to all who are interested in participating in the sport.
Supporters of the football program are encouraged to participate in Touchdown Club board meetings; typically held the first Wednesday of each month. We also encourage participation in fundraising and community-building activities that raise funds to support Hounds Football.
Updates regarding club activities can be found here. The club can be contacted at dulutheasttouchdownclub@gmail.com.
MSHSL NIL POLICY
Before accepting any form of payment or gifts related to your athletic performance, be sure to review the MSHSL Name Image & Likeness Policy. We also encourage athletes to first communicate with the activities office so as not to harm their eligibility.