What are the key features of Palm Beach Gardens Youth Athletic Association Lacrosse program. How can parents register their children for the lacrosse season. What equipment do players need for boys and girls lacrosse teams. How can individuals support the league through sponsorship opportunities.
Palm Beach Gardens Gators Lacrosse: Season Overview and Organization
The Palm Beach Gardens Gators Lacrosse program, organized by the Palm Beach Gardens Youth Athletic Association (PBGYAA), offers a comprehensive youth lacrosse experience. The season typically runs from late January to the end of April, providing young athletes with an opportunity to develop their skills and engage in competitive play.
All practices and home games take place at PGA National Park, located off Northlake Boulevard. The league’s reach extends beyond Palm Beach Gardens, with teams traveling as far south as Weston and as far north as Vero Beach for away games.
Key Features of the Program:
- Season duration: Late January to late April
- Practice schedule: Two days per week
- Game days: Saturdays, starting in February
- Home venue: PGA National Park
- Travel range: Weston to Vero Beach
The success of the league relies heavily on parent volunteers. Various roles need to be filled, including coaching, assistant coaching, timekeeping, scorekeeping, field setup and breakdown, and concession management.
Registration Process and Requirements
Registering for the Palm Beach Gardens Gators Lacrosse program involves several steps and requirements. Parents must provide specific documentation to ensure their child’s eligibility and safety.
Required Documentation:
- Copy of player’s birth certificate
- Physical form (completed within 9 months preceding the season)
- Proof of current US Lacrosse membership
Registration Fees:
- PBGYAA Registration Fee: $200
- US Lacrosse Membership Fee: $30
To complete the registration process, parents should use the email address they check most frequently, as all correspondence will be sent through the registration list.
Boys and Girls Divisions: Structure and Field Formats
The Palm Beach Gardens Gators Lacrosse program offers divisions for both boys and girls, catering to various age groups and skill levels. Each division has specific field and player configurations to ensure appropriate competition and skill development.
Girls Divisions:
- 14U: Full field, 12 v 12 (standard field with standard cage)
- 12U: Full field, 12 v 12 (standard field with standard cage)
- 10U: Full field, 12 v 12 (standard field with standard cage)
- 8U: 7 v 7 with goalie (7 v 7 field with standard cage)
- 6U: 5 v 5 no goalie (7 v 7 field with standard cage)
Boys Divisions:
- 14U: Full field, 10 v 10 (standard field with standard cage)
- 12U: Full field, 10 v 10 (standard field with standard cage)
- 10U: Full field, 10 v 10 (standard field with standard cage)
- 8U: 7 v 7 with goalie (7 v 7 field with standard cage)
- 6U: 5 v 5 no goalie (7 v 7 field with standard cage)
These divisions ensure that players compete against others of similar age and skill level, promoting fair play and appropriate development.
Essential Equipment for Boys and Girls Lacrosse
Proper equipment is crucial for player safety and performance in lacrosse. The required gear differs between boys and girls due to the variations in rules and physical contact allowed in each version of the sport.
Boys Lacrosse Equipment:
- Lacrosse Helmet (preferably Navy with Orange Trim)
- Lacrosse Gloves
- Lacrosse Arm Guards
- Lacrosse Shoulder Pads
- Lacrosse Stick
- Sliding Shorts
- Mouth Piece
- Cleats
- Cup
Girls Lacrosse Equipment:
- Goggles
- Stick
- Mouth Piece
- Cleats
Parents should ensure their children have all the necessary equipment before the season begins to guarantee their safety and readiness to play.
Volunteer Coaching Opportunities
The Palm Beach Gardens Gators Lacrosse program thrives on the dedication of volunteer coaches. This presents an excellent opportunity for parents and lacrosse enthusiasts to get involved and make a significant impact on young athletes’ lives.
Coaching Requirements:
- No prior experience necessary
- Training provided by the league
- Commitment of two 1 to 1.5 hour practices per week
- 1 hour for games on Saturdays
As an incentive, all head coaches receive a refund of their child’s registration fee. This policy not only encourages parental involvement but also helps make the sport more accessible to families.
To become a coach, interested individuals should complete the Volunteer portion during the registration process and email [email protected] with their preferred division and level of experience.
Sponsorship Opportunities: Supporting Youth Lacrosse
The Palm Beach Gardens Gators Lacrosse program offers various sponsorship levels for businesses and individuals who wish to support youth lacrosse in the community. These sponsorships not only provide financial support to the league but also offer exposure for sponsors.
Sponsorship Tiers:
- Platinum Sponsor: $5,000
- Business name on game jerseys and website
- Gold Sponsor: $2,500
- Business name on the back of shooting shirts and website
- Silver Sponsor: $1,500
- Business name on tents set up at home games and website
- Bronze Sponsor: $500
- Name on field flag
- League Sponsor: $250
- Name on banner hung up at home games
- Friend Sponsor: $100
- Name on group banner
Interested sponsors should contact the league at [email protected] for more information on how to support youth lacrosse in Palm Beach Gardens.
Palm Beach Lacrosse Classic: A New Signature Event
Expanding the lacrosse scene in Palm Beach, Casey Powell, Director of CP Lacrosse Academy, has announced a new signature event: The Casey Powell Palm Beach Lacrosse Classic. This tournament is set to become a major attraction for lacrosse teams across North America.
Event Details:
- Dates: January 14-15, 2023
- Location: The Ball Park of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach, Florida
- Divisions: Boys, Girls, Open Competitive (college club teams and men’s club)
The Palm Beach Lacrosse Classic aims to provide a memorable player experience, combining high-level competition with the appeal of a travel-friendly destination. Teams from across North America are expected to participate, drawn by the prospect of championship prizes and media coverage.
This event builds on CP Lacrosse’s commitment to creating engaging lacrosse experiences, following the success of other events such as the World Lacrosse Beach Festival, the SoFlo Turkey Shootout, and the Delray Beach Lacrosse Festival.
The creation of the Palm Beach Lacrosse Classic demonstrates the growing popularity and development of lacrosse in the Palm Beach area, offering young athletes additional opportunities to showcase their skills and compete at a high level.
Growing the Sport: The Impact of Youth Lacrosse Programs
Youth lacrosse programs like the Palm Beach Gardens Gators Lacrosse and events such as the Palm Beach Lacrosse Classic play a crucial role in growing the sport and developing young athletes. These initiatives offer numerous benefits to participants and the broader community.
Benefits of Youth Lacrosse Programs:
- Skill Development: Players learn fundamental lacrosse skills and strategies
- Physical Fitness: Regular practice and games promote overall health and fitness
- Team Building: Athletes learn to work together and develop social skills
- Character Development: Sports teach valuable life lessons such as discipline, perseverance, and sportsmanship
- Community Engagement: Lacrosse programs bring families and communities together
The expansion of youth lacrosse in Palm Beach Gardens and surrounding areas contributes to the sport’s growth nationwide. As more young athletes are introduced to lacrosse, the talent pool for high school, college, and professional levels continues to expand and diversify.
Furthermore, events like the Palm Beach Lacrosse Classic provide exposure and opportunities for young players to compete at higher levels, potentially opening doors for college recruitment and future lacrosse careers.
The Role of Parents in Supporting Youth Lacrosse
Parents play a vital role in the success of youth lacrosse programs. Their involvement and support can significantly enhance their child’s experience and contribute to the overall success of the league.
Ways Parents Can Support Youth Lacrosse:
- Volunteering: Assist with coaching, scorekeeping, or other league operations
- Positive Reinforcement: Encourage and support players, regardless of game outcomes
- Equipment Management: Ensure children have proper, well-maintained equipment
- Transportation: Commit to getting players to practices and games on time
- Fundraising: Participate in or organize fundraising events to support the league
- Sponsorship: Consider personal or business sponsorship of the league
By actively participating in their child’s lacrosse experience, parents not only support their individual player but also contribute to the strength and sustainability of the entire program.
Lacrosse Safety: Prioritizing Player Well-being
Safety is a top priority in youth lacrosse. The Palm Beach Gardens Gators Lacrosse program, like many well-organized youth sports leagues, implements various measures to ensure player safety on and off the field.
Key Safety Measures in Youth Lacrosse:
- Proper Equipment: Ensuring all players wear appropriate protective gear
- Rules Enforcement: Strict adherence to age-appropriate rules and regulations
- Coaching Education: Training coaches in proper techniques and safety protocols
- Medical Preparedness: Having first aid supplies and emergency procedures in place
- Field Inspections: Regular checks of playing surfaces for hazards
- Hydration: Emphasizing the importance of proper hydration, especially in Florida’s climate
Parents can contribute to safety efforts by ensuring their children use properly fitted equipment, stay hydrated, and report any injuries or health concerns promptly to coaches and league officials.
The Future of Lacrosse in Palm Beach Gardens
The growth of programs like the Palm Beach Gardens Gators Lacrosse and events such as the Palm Beach Lacrosse Classic point to a bright future for the sport in the area. As lacrosse continues to gain popularity, several developments can be anticipated.
Potential Future Developments:
- Expanded Programs: Introduction of more age groups or skill-based divisions
- Improved Facilities: Potential investments in dedicated lacrosse fields or complexes
- Increased Competition: Growing rivalries with neighboring communities and more competitive tournaments
- College Recruitment: Greater attention from college scouts as the talent pool expands
- Community Integration: Lacrosse becoming a more integral part of local sports culture
These developments would not only benefit young athletes but also contribute to the community’s sports infrastructure and reputation as a lacrosse hub in Florida.
As the sport continues to evolve in Palm Beach Gardens, the commitment of players, parents, coaches, and sponsors will be crucial in shaping its trajectory and ensuring a lasting positive impact on youth athletics in the region.
Palm Beach Gardens Youth Athletic Association
The Palm Beach Gardens Gators Lacrosse season runs from the end of January to the end of April. All practices and home games are played at PGA National Park off Northlake Boulevard. We will send out emails with further information once we get closer to the start of the season. Please be sure the email address you use for registration is the best contact for your family as all correspondence will be sent through the registration list. We generally travel as far south as Weston and as far north as Vero Beach.
Once the teams are set, your coaches will contact you with practice information. Teams will practice two days a week. Games will start in February and will be played on Saturdays. Our home games will be played at PGA National Park. Please remember we are an all-parent volunteer-run league. We need help coaching, assistant coaching, running time clocks, keeping score, setting up and breaking down the fields at home games, running concession, etc.
We can’t do it without your help!!!
Registration Requirements: You must provide the following information at the first team meeting:
Copy of player’s birth certificate
Physical form reflecting the results of a sports or back-to-school physical completed in the 9 months preceding the season
Proof of current US Lacrosse membership
Boys and Girls Divisions for the Spring Season
GIRLS:
14U – Full field 12 v 12 (standard field with standard cage)
12U – Full field 12 v 12 (standard field with standard cage)
10U – Full field 12 v 12 (standard field with standard cage)
8U – 7 v 7 with goalie (7 v 7 field with standard cage)
6U – 5 v 5 no goalie (7 v 7 field with standard cage) – hector
BOYS:
14U – Full field 10 v 10 (standard field with standard cage)
12U – Full field 10 v 10 (standard field with standard cage)
10U – Full field 10 v 10 (standard field with standard cage)
8U – 7 v 7 with goalie (7 v 7 field with standard cage)
6U – 5 v 5 no goalie (7 v 7 field with standard cage) – hector
Cost: Registration Fee is $200
US Lacrosse Membership Fee $30
This is a volunteer driven league and we need volunteer coaches! No experience is necessary!! We will train you!!! Many lacrosse coaches start out with no experience in coaching or playing.
Only requires two 1 to 1 ½ hour practices per week and 1 hour for the game on Saturdays. ALL HEAD COACHES CHILD’S REGISTRATION FEE WILL BE REFUNDED!!!! If you are interested in being a coach, please fill out the Volunteer portion located in the website upon registering your son or daughter and send an email to us at [email protected] with what division you would like to coach and your level of experience (e.g. you have played the sport, coached etc.…).
If you are interested in sponsoring our league, please contact us at [email protected].
What a player needs to buy: (BOYS)
Lacrosse Helmet – Preferably Navy with Orange Trim
Lacrosse Gloves
Lacrosse Arm Guards
Lacrosse Shoulder Pads
Lacrosse Stick
Sliding Shorts
Mouth Piece
Cleats
Cup
What a player needs to buy: (GIRLS)
Goggles
Stick
Mouth Piece
Cleats
Please consider sponsoring our league.
Platinum Sponsor $5,000 (business name on game jerseys and website)
Gold Sponsor $2,500 (business name on the back of the shooting shirts and website)
Silver Sponsor $1,500 (business name on tents set up at home games and website)
Bronze Sponsor $500 (name on field flag)
League Sponsor $250 (name on banner hung up at home games)
Friend sponsor $100 (name on group banner)
PBGYAA Lacrosse
4029 Johnson Dairy Road
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
President – Bob Gerard
lacrosse@pbgyaa.
com
PALM BEACH LACROSSE CLASSIC – Casey Powell
Casey Powell, Director of CP Lacrosse Academy announces a new signature event experience scheduled for MLK weekend. The Casey Powell Palm Beach Lacrosse Classic will be held January 14-15, 2023 with game action taking place at The Ball Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida.
The Palm Beach Lacrosse Classic is for boy’s and girl’s club teams. In addition to boy’s and girl’s teams, the tournament will feature an open competitive division with college club teams and men’s club.
With its travel-friendly destination location, championship prizes and media coverage, the Palm Beach Lacrosse Classic is expected to draw teams from every corner of North America.
“CP Lacrosse is thrilled to introduce the Palm Beach Lacrosse Classic,” Powell said. “For the past several years, CP Lacrosse has been committed to creating memorable fan experiences with our event properties such as the World Lacrosse Beach Festival, the SoFlo Turkey Shootout and the Delray Beach Lacrosse Festival.
”
“We thought it was time to create a signature player experience. Like so much that we do at CPL, we set out to create this tournament with the lacrosse player in mind. While combining all the elements that make for an enjoyable player’s experience — a well-organized tournament, great competition at all levels, lots of extracurricular activities— we added a convenient travel destination to lacrosse communities that provides superb accommodations, nightlife and excitement,” stated Powell.
Powell added: “But, of course, we had to up the ante. That’s why we added amazing championship prizes, sponsor giveaways, on site DJ and interactive vendor village to enhance the player experience. Unlike some other tournaments, The Ball Park of the Palm Beaches provides a fantastic playing experience where all the tournament action can take place at one location. With great lacrosse, food, sand, surf and sun, Palm Beach Lacrosse Classic offers something for everyone.”
Join us for a fun-filled weekend of non-stop lacrosse, rocking music, food, games, friends and sportsmanship.
Pack your cooler and head out to the field!
Players may play up in their age division but not play down. Each team has a name and captain. Team captains are in charge of gathering information and payment for their team.
- Games consist of two 22-minute halves with a 5-minute halftime.
- 10v10 field lacrosse play.
- Players may play up in their age division but not play down.
- Two US Lacrosse Certified Officials managing each game.
- Portion of the proceeds will benefit The Casey Powell World Lacrosse Foundation
WHEN: JANUARY 14-15, 2023
The opening celebration will take place on Saturday morning followed by NCAA tournament viewing party. The games will start Sunday with the playoffs and championship.
WHERE:
The Ball Park of the Palm Beaches
5444 Haverhill Road
West Palm Beach, FL 33407
DIVISIONS
- Boys: HS AA, HS A, HS B, Boys 2026, Boys 2027,Boys 2028, Boys 2029, Boys 2030-31
- Girls: Girls MS A, Girls MS B, Girls HS A, Girls HS B
- Men’s Divisions: Open
GAME SCHEDULE
Longest game of Peyton Manning’s career – First & Goal
“I don’t know what to do.
What does a free agent usually do?
Peyton Manning in conversation with his friend and mentor David Cutcliffe.
This shouldn’t happen to living legends that still play and still have gunpowder in their flasks. Ready-to-play legends (and Manning is ready to play if his neck doesn’t let him down) shouldn’t be traveling from city to city looking for a new club. They no longer need to prove anything to anyone. Teams themselves must prove that they are an acceptable place to continue their career. As one of the greatest free agents in league history, Manning polls teams as much as teams poll him.
At a meeting with the Broncos on March 9, the four-time league MVP turned to John Fox’s two top assistant coaches, offensive coordinator Mike McCoy and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio, and asked, “What about you guys? One leg here, the other there? Translation: “Are you going to accept the first offer to take over as head coach if we are successful in the 2012 season?”
Both of them raised their eyebrows.
Del Rio was fired from the Jaguars three months ago and said in an interview that he was almost glad to be relieved of his head coaching obligations due to the behind-the-scenes intrigues associated with this high post. McCoy admitted that he had already turned down one interview for the lead position because the offer wasn’t “relevant” enough, and added that he would only leave for “the right offer.”
On March 20, Manning was introduced as the quarterback for the Broncos. There was a lot of talk as to why he chose Denver instead of leaning towards a more homely option (Tennessee, closer to his home college) or a more powerful lineup (San Francisco, which was just one game short of the Super Bowl a season earlier). One reason ultimately explained everything: dating. Manning knew Denver vice president of football operations John Elway, who himself had become a two-time champion in his late thirties, and with whom Manning clearly had a mutual respect. He also knew Fox, who had once recruited the best college players and has not lost this gift to this day.
He was also acquainted with Del Rio, who coached Jacksonville in the AFC South and for several years was regularly faced with the task of stopping Manning and his attack. It also helped to get to know Denver native Brandon Stockley, a former Colts wide receiver who accompanied Manning on his two trips to Colorado. He was also familiar with most of the teams that Denver would face in the upcoming season (Manning played a total of 93 times against rival teams of the Broncos in the 2012 season).
“When I talked to Peyton during the process of selecting a new team, it seemed to me that in Denver he found the most similar to what he had in Indinapolis,” says Tony Dungey, his former coach at the Colts.
Well, it could not do without one more thing. Manning likes to be in control. Everything and everyone. Therefore, Elway did the right thing when he gave Manning the right to decide everything for himself and did not get in the way under his feet.
But Manning’s story also included driving adventures, secret meetings and training sessions, and plenty of words of wisdom from confidants.
Here’s the story of how he ended up in Denver.
Colts Expulsion Day (March 7-8)
On the 7th, Manning said goodbye to Indianapolis at a very emotional press conference and spent the next hour surrounded by former colleagues from the club’s staff. “Miscellaneous support staff, secretaries, ammunition specialists and many others who have been working in the structure of the club for a long time,” Manning said. “Many who take a new step in their career prefer to burn bridges and are angry at how everything turned out. But I am not one of them and it was important for me to part with the former club on good terms.
He then flew to Miami, where he and his wife Ashley have a vacation home, but was clearly unhappy about being followed around by reporters and journalists, as if he were OJ Simpson trying to escape somewhere. Fox was one of the first to call Peyton. He said the Broncos would be very happy to see him and look forward to seeing him any day he was ready.
Fox has been recruiting people to teams at eight different colleges for ten years through phone calls and heart-to-heart talks in the living room, so he has no shortage of experience in this business.
Manning wasn’t sure what to do yet. Even a day before parting with the Colts, he hoped that he would be able to stay in Indianapolis. What he was sure of was that money would play a minimal role in the decision. He wanted to choose a place where he would feel comfortable and where he could most quickly get used to the new environment.
“He was clearly agitated that evening,” Fox recalls. “Not at ease.”
First weekend (March 9-11)
There’s a great site called flightaware.com that lets you type in the number of a private jet and track it around the country. Using this simple algorithm, it was possible to find out that the personal plane of the owner of the Broncos, Pat Bowlen, arrived in Miami on the morning of March 9, then made a stop in the city of Stillwater, Oklahoma, where a whole delegation of representatives of the club – including Alway, Fox and McCoy – attended the open viewing of the Oklahoma State players, after which they went to Colorado and landed at the airport in Englewood.
After that, Peyton Manning, surrounded by a detachment of people from Denver headquarters, went to the command training facility, located just a couple of miles from the landing site. Of course, accompanied by an army of reporters.
It was clear from the outset that Elway would be the Broncos’ main asset in these negotiations. He won two Super Bowls in a row at the age of 37 and 38, by which time many had already written him off. Manning is 36 years old. “How many people can put themselves in Peyton’s shoes and imagine how he feels right now?” asks former NFL safety John Lynch, a good friend of both Elway and Manning. “Very few. John is definitely one of them. I saw it in their conversations. They clearly found a common ground.”
Broncos PR manager Patrick Smith prepared for the meeting and pointed out two things that could harm Denver’s chances of luring Manning to them. Firstly, not the strongest defense could interfere with Peyton’s plans to take another Super Bowl, and secondly, Manning has played home games in a closed arena all his career since 1998 and it can be very uncomfortable for him to play in the open air in Denver.
Smith also identified two elements that should have tipped the balance in favor of the Broncos and advised John Fox to take them into account during negotiations.
“Imagine,” Fox said to the quarterback. The Broncos played 519 games and the average temperature at the start of the game was 60.1 degrees Fahrenheit
To Manning, that number meant a lot. Just like the next one. “You spent 14 years at Indianapolis,” Fox continued. “And the Colts were averaging 26 points per game. In the 10 years that I have been head coach, we have won 39 matches and lost only three when our team scored 26 points or more.
The Broncos planned a dinner at a restaurant in honor of Manning, but they intended to keep it a secret. How can this be checked? To deceive the press, the club prepared seven cars that left the training facility at the same time. One news crew followed the car that brought Manning from the airport. When the car pulled up to the restaurant, the reporters attacked the driver with questions: “Where is Manning?” “Sorry guys, but he’s not here,” was the reply.
It turned out that Manning had slipped into a black SUV with tinted windows and arrived safely at the Cherry Hills Country Club. There Elway intended to put all the cards on the table.
But Elway decided to use a different tactic. When they sat down at a table, Elway immediately realized that in front of him was a man who was still shocked by his parting with the previous club and was still in his thoughts in his native Indianapolis. Elway stepped into his situation and imagined how he would feel if the Broncos dropped him after 13 or 14 seasons. “You must be feeling like you’ve been stabbed in the stomach right now,” Elway Manning sympathized. “Relax. Weigh carefully all the options. I understand you have an important decision to make.”
“I put myself in Peyton’s shoes,” Elway told SI. “I didn’t push. Didn’t try to sell him the Broncos as the best path for him. I let the organization speak for itself. I just told him how much I would like to see him in the form of our club.
At the same time, I understood that it would not make any sense for him to join us if our team did not suit him in all respects. That would be stupid.”
In the middle of dinner, Elway received a message telling him that the Redskins traded the second pick in the draft to the St. Elway told Manning about this: “Wow, Washington traded the second pick. Apparently, they are aiming for RG3.
“What?!” Manning exclaimed.
From this reaction, Elway realized that the Redskins were also on Peyton’s list.
Manning spent the night at Stockley’s home in the suburb of Castle Rock, and the next morning, Saturday, March 10, the two of them went to a nearby field for shooting practice. When they found it occupied by a lacrosse team, they switched to Plan B and moved to a community park that had a 40-square-yard clearing. As passers-by passed by during practice, Stokely yelled, “Runner!” or “Cyclist!” and immediately he and Manning hid the soccer balls until people passing or passing by were out of sight.
That same day, Manning had another meeting with Redskins coach Mike Shanahan and his son, Kyle, Washington’s offensive coordinator. Though it didn’t make much sense after the Rams deal, the Shanahans insisted on meeting, and Manning went ahead with them. They discussed football for three hours at Shanahan’s spacious Denver home. There are also coincidences. Shanahan coached Elway in two Super Bowls and was fired by the Broncos after the 2008 season. Elway now ran the Broncos. When Shanahan spoke to Manning, a text message appeared on the coach’s phone screen. From Elway.
“Hey Mike, put in a good word for us with Peyton.” Shanahan just laughed.
Another surprise: Manning received a call informing him that Seahawks coach Pete Carroll had flown unannounced to Englewood airport with general manager John Schneider to see Manning. Carroll intended to do anything to take up a few minutes of Manning’s valuable time. He was willing to talk to him for a while in Denver or on the plane on the way to Arizona, where Peyton would visit the next club.
Of course, he hoped that in the end he would be able to persuade Manning to go together to Seattle for a longer conversation.
Peyton Manning doesn’t like surprises. He politely declined the meeting. Carroll flew back with nothing.
When Manning flew to Phoenix on Saturday night to meet the Cardinals, all of his movements were tracked again. Knowing now that he always had a whole galaxy of journalists on his tail, wherever he went, Manning thought about how he could confuse his pursuers in the face of the media.
“What city can I fly to so that everyone decides that I will definitely not play in this city next year and no one thinks that I will go there to meet with a new team?” he asked himself. And he came up with the original answer: “Indianapolis!” He told the Dolphins he would meet them Monday at the Indianapolis airport. In silence.
Work week (March 12-16)
Manning threw more and more confidently. While training with Stokely in Denver, he hit 65 hard shots.
On Monday in Indianapolis, it was lower, only 40. On Tuesday, he was already throwing in the city of Raleigh under the strict supervision of David Cutcliffe, who was Manning’s college coordinator and now worked at Duke University. Also in attendance at that impromptu practice session were Photoniners head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman. At first they watched the shots from inside the car, but then they decided to take a closer look at Peyton and took to the field, after tightening the hoods of their sweatshirts on their heads so as not to become the object of some annoying fan’s shooting.
Manning then sent a message to his mother Olivia: “You’ll never guess who I just trained for. He was wearing a regular hoodie.”
“Bill Belichick?” she answered in surprise.
“Nice try, but no. Jim Harbaugh.
On Wednesday, Manning flew from Raleigh to Nashville and spent six hours with the Titans coaches. He didn’t touch the ball that day. On Thursday, he returned to Raleigh and made 95 shots with Cutcliffe.
Broncos executives came to watch the 55-pass practice. How did he look on her?
“For Peyton, the release of the ball is very important and he does everything right in this aspect,” says Cutcliffe. “The speed of the throw, the position of the hand, the accuracy – everything is at the highest level. I have been close to him and have followed him on the pitch for almost 20 years, so I am not exaggerating when I say that he is doing just fine now. When he needs to demonstrate all these skills on the field, I am more than sure that Peyton will show the skill of an excellent level. He will be very good at the right moment.”
But who will be the lucky one Peyton will play for next season?
The time for making a decision was getting closer. “But this is not a math problem for you,” Cutcliff reminds Manning. “There is no one right answer here.” He then cites the example of General Patton’s principle, which they adhered to at the headquarters of the University of Tennessee team in the 1990s.
“Remember what General George Patton said?” Cutcliffe asks. “Of course,” Peyton says. “Make a decision and stick to it until the end.”
Judgment (March 17-19)
To say that John Fox was under constant pressure is an understatement. On the morning of the 17th, he sent a text message to congratulate both Peyton and his wife, Ashley, on their 11th wedding anniversary. How did he get Ashley Manning’s personal number? “Secret information,” Fox ciphers. “I’ve been a college recruiter for ten years. I have a couple of receivers.”
Manning called the Titens representatives and told them that the meeting would take place at the University of Tennessee training facility in Knoxville on Saturday morning. The problem is that when he pulled up to the spot in the morning, he saw a lot of reporters and cameramen eager to snatch a piece of the pie named Peyton Manning. He called Titans coach Mike Munchak, who was still on his way to the stadium, and said, “There’s a bunch of media guys over here.
”
“I didn’t tell anyone!” exclaimed Munchak.
“Don’t worry,” Manning replied. “Drive up to the stadium and when you drive up, call me back. Let’s orient ourselves.”
Roger Frazier, an old friend of Manning’s and a college munitions manager, found a backup practice on the grounds of Webb Private School in Knoxville. Manning called Munchak and told him to pull off the highway, line up behind the black car and follow it. Munchak did so, and a third car joined them a few blocks later. With Manning at the wheel. Not a single journalist within a radius of several kilometers around. Manning took to the field and, despite the rain, threw 55 passes. Then they all went together to a restaurant to chew burgers.
Manning then drove to the family residence in Chattanooga. There he stayed for a couple of days and during this time he managed to talk with his trusted people and even caught John Fox at dinner with his phone call. None of them tells what was discussed in that conversation.
Fox only admits that the conversation ended with the phrase: “We will accept any decision you make. Of course, we would like to get you to our place, but we also thank you for your trust and the opportunity to offer you our cooperation.”
Manning also talked to Bill Parcells, another “confidant”. Peyton listened to his opinion and knew that Bill would be extremely honest with him. Peyton admitted to Parcells that he couldn’t shoot 100%. “Do you know who Jamie Moyer is?” Parcells asked back. Manning said he had heard of this left-handed pitcher who had been in the big leagues since 1986.
“He’s 49 years old now,” Parcells said. “Never 26, but he still cracks hitters like nuts. Can you throw without hitting your face in the dirt?
“I think so,” Manning replied.
“Then don’t worry about your hand,” Parcells concluded.
Do not forget that Manning achieves victories not only with his hand, but also with his head. And even if his arm, weakened from several operations on the neck, will not allow him to make several long-range passes, then rest assured that he will fill these gaps with his brains.
He’s still good enough to guess the defense’s intentions and fool them around. Manning could take the field right now, but he himself wants his hand to feel even more confident before he has to take shots in a combat situation. Doctors say that the arm should become stronger and stronger over time.
On Saturday night, Manning called Dungey to discuss the pros and cons of the three finalists he signed – Denver, Arizona and Tennessee. He then asked, “What else should I consider when making a decision?”
“I told him that there is not and cannot be an obviously right solution,” Dungey admits. “He has good options in his hands, but they still correlate with each other like 51 to 49 or 50 to 50. In the end, everything is decided by intuition. I told him the same thing that the great coach Chuck Knoll told me a long time ago: “When you have to make a big decision, forget about money, position or status. Just make sure you enjoy working with certain people and enjoy the process.
”
Dungey noticed that Manning was leaning towards Denver. “He had a high opinion of Elway, Mr. Bowlen, Fox and the offensive coordinator,” Dungey says. “So I think he wanted to hear that he wasn’t making the mistake of going for an outright gamble.”
If you look at the commands that Manning turned down, there are many familiar faces. Peyton’s father, Archie, played alongside Munchak late in his career with Houston. Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt occasionally plays golf with Manning and once coached Manning at the Pro Bowl. Harbaugh was a quarterback for Indianapolis before Manning. All of them were players.
Teams that weren’t that close to signing Peyton have little in common with him. While in Kansas City, he knows general manager Scott Pioli, but he doesn’t have any other friends there. Not a soul mate in Seattle. It’s the same with the Jets or Miami. The Washingtons had a chance, as Manning knows and respects Mike Shanahan, but their deal with the Rams scared Peyton away.
Manning made his final decision on Saturday. Denver. On Monday, he made all the necessary phone calls. “It’s a pity that Munch has to refuse,” Manning shakes his head. “We are quite close. The same goes for Jim Harbaugh.” When he called Elway to tell him the good news, he was sitting alone with Fox, discussing whether to try to lure Manning one more time. As the phone conversation progressed, Elway broke into a smile and gave Fox the thumbs up. “I jumped out of my chair so abruptly that my knees almost burst,” Fox laughs.
On Tuesday, Manning met with the press at the Broncos training ground and tried on the new club’s number 18 kit. After nearly three hours of press conference, he went down to the locker room, donned a Denver-colored T-shirt and shorts, and practiced. For the next three days, he followed a similar regimen.
On Sunday, Elway sits at an all-league meeting in Palm Beach, Florida, trying to figure out how he got his most important win since the Falcons win in Superbulle 33.
Why did Manning choose Denver?
“It’s hard to say,” says Elway. “I never asked him about it. He did not ask who applied for his services and what place we occupied in this rating. I just know how I would like to be treated if I were Peyton. And that’s how I treated him.”
And it worked.
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Source: Sports Illustrated
HOW TO STAY AT GASPARILLA INN & CLUB HOTEL AND CLUB, FLORIDA’S MOST EXCLUSIVE CLUB IDES – HOTELS + RESORTS
Home Hotels + Resorts What it’s like to stay in Florida’s most exclusive hotel and club
December 20 – Premiere of the social season at Gasparilla Inn and Club (doubles from $275) . In the days leading up to this, a sense of anticipation is in the air as Mercedes and Range Rover station wagons roll around the circular driveway to unload clothing bags and golf clubs, and the hotel comes alive with families – grandparents, children and grandchildren in tow.
Many of those around me have marked this evening on their calendars every year for the past 10, 20, 30 years.
Big night unfolds as follows: men in robes Brooks Brothers and women in Gretchen Scott (champagne glass in one hand, a child’s collar in a dark blue jacket in the other) walk along the oil and yellow halls in the dining room, where large round tables on eight and ten people are covered linen and emerald green cups. Parents jump from tables, rediscovering each other – Hey buddy! – and the children will recognize the friends with whom they dug sandcastles a year earlier. The delicious local sea bass that everyone has been looking forward to is still on the menu, although this year it sits on a trendy bed of kale and quinoa.
The season is over. It continues the next morning with a hearty breakfast (beef stew and cream, anyone?) and a round of golf at Pete Dai’s course. We then head to the beach club for a salad, after which we watch the bay from a sun lounger with a drink in hand for an hour before it’s time to get dressed for dinner.
Well, maybe one quick game of ping-pong.
And the next day everything starts all over again.
Florida so many I’ve lost count. But the scene at the Gasparilla Inn & Club was new to me—nothing like the setting of the Breakers Resort, the hub of Palm Beach’s social networking site and at least a few million light-years from the Faena Hotel in Miami Beach. with its crowd of art and fashion. The inn, as the patrons call it, is a large old Florida colonnaded wooden manor built in 1919.13 on Boca Grande, a narrow island 53 miles south of Sarasota. Boca Grande, with a population of 1,230, has a few romantic old houses and two blocks of family-friendly shops where the townspeople, always on the spot with their hair and linen shirts, never wrinkle – glide on golf carts.
Scenes from the Gasparilla Hotel in Florida Credit: Left to right: compass + twine; Amali Orange
The hotel is pretty much the center of this cozy world, and for most of its history, a newcomer could only book a room on the personal recommendation of a regular guest.
However, fifteen years ago the doors were opened to the public. (Phone bookings are still preferred.) Jobs are rare today – don’t plan on coming here for Thanksgiving next year.
This is impressive, as these hotels have the delicate task of staying fresh without changing their appearance. Gasparilla is one of the last classic country club resorts, along with the Greenbrier in West Virginia and the Cloister and Lodge in Sea Island, Georgia, where good manners are everything. A brash squire who relies on himself. Do you know who I am? it won’t be easy here. The guests who share the enthusiasm for pink are mostly from the Midwest and the more cheerful suburbs of the Northeast. One of the interior decorators, Mimi McMakin, a Palm Beach native, calls it a place for bare feet in good heels.
Related : Top 10 Florida Resorts (outside of Miami Beach)
Old Florida style means the lobby is like a living room with old school Lawson sofas woven from Bar Harbor vines and sprinkler pipes wrapped in raffia.
The 164 rooms, suites and two-bedroom cottages are a more beachy version of all the houses in Winnetka and Darien, with white furnishings, bright colors and tiled rather than marble bathrooms. You will find shells everywhere: on lamps, candlesticks, on cocktail tables. Throw in a stuffed tarpon and a pineapple lamp and here it is – a look you think you’ve seen before, but here it’s done really and quite magically.
Terrace and interior at Gasparilla Inn, Florida Credit: Left to right: compass + twine; Amalie Orange
The Old Florida atmosphere is particularly thick in the restaurant, with its slowly spinning ceiling fans, starched white linens and silver domed servers; in BZ’s – a club bar lined with green cypresses; and in the Pelican Club Room, the hotel’s rare masculine corner, where for a moment every man can feel like he’s playing Dartmouth lacrosse. Wherever you go, you will find the good old obsequious hotel service. No waiter here ever starts a meal by asking, “How are we today?”
All this is insistently civilized.
