Jimmy at 9U, on the tackle!
We recently sat-down with a multi-generation Naperville Saint mom, Nicole Jurjovec, to discuss her experience with the Saints. She's had two boys in the program: one on the 2023 10U Gold 1 team and one now playing in high school.
Thanks for sitting down with us today Nicole. To start, can you tell us about your son’s experiences with the Saints? Specifically, your middle son played his third year with the Naperville Saints in 2023.
How did it go?
Yes! Our son, Jimmy, played on the 10U Naperville Saints football team this year. And it was an amazing experience. It was his third year playing and by the end of the season grew both his knowledge and his love for the game. Jimmy loves all sports, but football has become his absolute favorite.
Before we tried football, like many kids his age, he had played a multitude of sports: baseball in the spring and basketball in the winter, swimming in the summer, and youth soccer in the fall. With football and soccer being the same season, we knew he would have to make a choice at some point. Jimmy had success in soccer, and eventually tried a few club camps and participated in the Premier League program.
Football lineage must run strong because just as his older brother did, his love for soccer faded and Jimmy asked to try football when he was 8 years old. For us, there was no hesitation and we signed him up. Jimmy, and our entire family, have had the best experience with the Naperville Saints.
How do you feel about the safety of the football program?
I feel very comfortable. The BGYFL (Bill George Youth Football League), of which the Naperville Saints is a member, requires all its coaches to earn USA Football certification. This certification involves learning proper football technique and training methods to ensure player safety. The way the football is coached, played and officiated has changed significantly over the past 20 years with an emphasis on player safety. The BGYFL also has weight restrictions for players who carry the football or play defensive positions outside of the defensive line. For example, our 10U boys played football from the end of July until the middle of November, with ten games, and zero injuries from playing football.
Your oldest played in the program some years ago, how is he doing on the football field?
My oldest son started playing football in 1st grade and hasn’t stopped yet! He is now a junior in high school and plays football for Naperville North. We feel like his early start as a first grader in the sport gave him an advantage in high school. He is going to be a senior in the fall, and he’s been playing on the varsity team since he was a sophomore. Football is his passion, and I believe there is no other sport that teaches these young boys life lessons, in a team setting, that they will carry with them throughout their life. As a Mom, I am so grateful and fall is my favorite season!
Why start them playing football at a young age?
Starting at a young age gives the boys the opportunity to learn Discipline, Responsibility, Teamwork, Leadership, Dedication and Hard Work during a formative part of their life. These are not only skills that you need in football, but skills that are essential in life. Football is the ULTIMATE team sport.
When they start young, they also learn how to tackle properly and safely, and how to be tackled safely while weighing 1/3 of what they will weigh when they grow to their full size later in high school. Additionally, they develop natural instincts and a knowledge of the game that they will carry with them to the next level. I will never forget my first parent meeting as a mom of a football player, when my oldest was in 1st grade my son’s head coach explained to us that they simply do not weigh enough at this young age to cause injury. He couldn’t have been more accurate.
What events has the team done together, on the field and off?
This is one of my favorite parts of football season! It’s fun for the whole family all season long! Each year, our team plans many activities, both on and off the field. In past years, we set up a “Mom’s Night” so the moms could meet at the beginning of the season. In addition to having a little fun, we also made some banners and spirit sticks to use for each game. We had team barbeques after the first game so all the families could get to know each other. One of my favorite events is the “Homecoming” game where everyone brings something to share, and we tailgate before and during the game. Football families are the best!
What role do you/have you seen that parents can play as volunteers?
There are so many opportunities for someone to get involved. You can be a head or assistant coach, which requires attending all the practices and games. Volunteers are also needed during each game for the scoreboard and the ‘chain gang’ on the sideline. Moms can also get involved in coordinating efforts to create camaraderie, and team spirit with planning events and other fun season activities!
Looking back to when he started, what was your favorite memory of Jimmy’s first season?
My favorite memory was when my Dad, a retired football coach from Naperville Central, came to watch his grandson, Jimmy, play on the 8U team one Sunday morning. The coaches of the team were my husband, Dan, his brother, Tom, and Mike Czuba. Mike Czuba was also one of my oldest son’s coaches, and he was coached by my dad years ago when he was in high school at NCHS. It was a ‘full circle’ football moment. Coach Czuba chose to keep coaching youth football after his own son aged out and is now in high school. The commitment Mike has made to this team speaks volumes of what football has done for his life. We appreciate you, Mike, and all of the wonderful Saints coaches.
Any other thoughts or comments?
Youth football can be such an integral part of your son’s childhood. Our oldest son had a wonderful coach and football experience for 9 years of youth football in the Saint Raphael turned Naperville Saints program. Coach Ryan Kubacki cultivated a special team and bond where the lessons learned, and memories made will stick with those kids throughout their life. We will always be grateful for the impact he had on Daniel’s life. It makes me so happy to see our second son, Jimmy, making those same friendships and being a part of something special as well.
(Article updated from 2022)
Read below for more parent resources:
Jimmy at 8U with his dad, brother, grandfather, and Coach Czuba
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