Belief in the BFS Total Program has paid off for these New York athletes

3KRWRE\7LPHV8QLRQ$OEDQ\1< Belief in the BFS Total Program has paid off for these New York athletes t’s been said “You can’t go home again,” but someone forgot to tell that to Michael DiCocco. In 1993 DiCocco graduated from Schalmont High School in Schenectady, New York. Now he’s back as a social studies teacher and defensive coordinator for this school’s Class B football team. He’s seen a lot of changes at his alma mater since he became a student there 21 years ago, and in recent years those changes have been very good ones.

Prior to the 2009 season, the Schalmont football team had made the playoffs only four times in 20 years, and they’d had many seasons with only three wins. To change things around, five years ago they implemented the BFS program, and in 2008 their new strength in the weightroom was apparent on the gridiron – they finished with a 7-2 record. Unfortunately they lost in the first round of the playoffs, but they hit major milestones by winning their division, being ranked sixth in the state, and setting many school records. It gets better.

In 2009, under the leadership of new head football coach Joe Whipple and well established with the BFS program, the Sabres shocked the local football community by winning nine straight games. There’s more: They won their division again, won their first playoff game in school history, and followed that by winning their sectional and regional titles. Says DiCocco, “BFS has been the most vital reason for our success, and we are looking forward to using it for our continued success!”

IA Commitment to Winning DiCocco says that much of the credit for the turnaround of the football program is due to the efforts of athletic director John Gallo, who got the funding to improve the athletic facilities. He says having a top-class facility inspires kids to work hard. “The kids have more of a commitment to the off-season than I’ve ever seen with the school and since I started coaching here – not only from In 2009 Schalmont High School won nine straight games on the way to sectional and regional titles. kids attending workouts regularly, but attending off-season activities such as team camps.”

Another change that has made a big difference in getting better athletes on the field, according to DiCocco, is having kids become involved in the BFS program before they start high school. “Having the kids involved in BFS at the middle school level gives us an edge that we never had before. And I would also like to say that this could not be possible without the support of the parents – they have been phenomenal in encouraging their kids to become committed to the football program.” For DiCocco, attitude is key to working with young athletes. “We have been trying to foster a sense of pride in our athletic program.

When the kids from the middle school put on a football T-shirt, they get excited. And absolutely phenomenal, and we encourage them to try to that is a testament to the kids’ excel in everything they do, work ethic and BFS.” from the classroom to the In contrast to the many athletic field. I know there down years that characterized are a lot of distractions with the Sabres football program young people today – and in the 1990s and 2000s, the you can’t take away their cell Sabres have developed an phones and you can’t take attitude where they expect to away their iPods – but when win.

Says DiCocco, “The kids kids are involved in our proare confident, not to the point gram, they quickly develop a of cockiness but to the point sense of maturity about what is important.” A weight training program that focuses on core BFS lifts year- of excitedness. They underround is key to the success of the Sabres. stand that being on top means DiCocco says he everyone is gunning for you encourages his athletes to play as many sports as they possibly can. commitment is less injuries on the field. and they have to work even harder.

And it helps that Coach Whipple is such a “We try to get football players to go out We used to have a major problem with great optimist – he will not be satisfied pulled hamstrings and groins, and they for track or baseball – we want the kids until Schalmont High School can win a have not had either of these injuries in to be active – and we encourage them state championship!” over two years by a single player. It’s to lift in-season. And one result of this #44 J.J.

Murphy #2 Jean Gomez #72 Shawn Schellenger #36 Vince Gallo #51 Dalton LaTulipe #89 Alberto Beltran X4YPP,EVRIWWEXXEGLQIRX X(YEP3P]QTMG4PEXI,SPHIVW 6WDEOHVWHHOIUDPH 1RQVOLSUXEEHUWRS *UHDWIRUDOODWKOHWHV BUMPERS NOT INCLUDED (IIHFWLYHUHKDEWRRO HOW TO US E6KRZQLQVWRFN ,WHP &DOOIRUFXVWRP FRORUVDQGSULFLQJ DEDICATED TO HELPING ATHLETES SUCCEED SINCE 1976

From BFS Magazine — July/August 2010. Part of the BFS Magazine Archive (1980–2014).