Ben's Blog

Spring Has Sprung! - March 9, 2010
Wikipedia definition: Spring is one of the four temperate seasons, the transition period between winter and summer. Its days are close to twelve hours long with increasing day length, as it occurs near the time of an equinox. In the Northern Hemisphere, spring runs from March into May.

Now everyone should really feel like getting outside.

We are excited that this weekend is our 4th Annual Spring Balling Tournament. We have 20 teams registered to compete this year even though we know there is a lot going on this weekend covering several sports here in Central Arkansas.

Life CHAMPS is so thankful for the weather here lately, and we hope that it will hold up for this weekend.

A couple of notes for this weekend:

I will be updating our website (as frequently as possible) with real time information, stats, and wins/losses for our games this weekend. I will be doing this through Ben's PODScasts on our website. Coaches, parents, grandparents, athletes, etc. please get used to checking this frequently and listening to what is going on between other teams in your age division. Just another way for a Life CHAMPer to have a great experience through this wonderful organization that I am passionate about serving in.

Another note that we are very excited about is that Life CHAMPS is going to be launching our LC Gear this weekend at the Tourney. We will have limited supplies, but we want to get the gear out this weekend, and show you what we have been working on since the fall. This gear is SWEET, and will help us continue to create our "brand". I know I am going to have my LC Gear on!!!! Please come to the tent out at the Tournament to check out the gear, and also continue checking the LC Gear link on the website as we will try and post this for purchase online as soon as possible.

I doubt we will see any leprechaun's, and I am sure everyone will be wearing their team colors (and LC Gear) this weekend, so save the green for the actual St. Patricks Day, and lets get out to Burns Park and have some fun this weekend!!

SYBF
Ben Faires

Oh, What A Night! - November 6, 2009
Well it wasn't late December back in 1963 and it wasn't written by The Four Seasons, but it was early November in 2009, and Life CHAMPS Super Bowls were in full force. It was one of the most competitive nights of Flag football I have ever seen and we did it LC Style!!!

I would like to personally congratulate all particiopants, parents, coaches, gmas, gpas, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends for coming out and supporting one of the more entertaining sports nights of my life. I represented Life CHAMPS out at Burns Park as we played the 5-6 Freshman Flag Super Bowl and the 7-8 Sophomore Flag Super Bowl both at 5:45pm. I got caught up a little in traffic, and to my suprise when I arrived at 5:15, the party had already begun. From music to face paint, tents to banners, kids to parents, and ATV's to chants and cheers, it was going to be a great night, and I could tell we were in for some wars.

The Eagles stopped the Vikings on about the 3 yard line with no time on the clock to win their Super Bowl by 4 points, and a great game it was as both teams congratulated each other after the game. I was very impressed with Coach Bob Silzer and the Vikings as they were dissapointed because of the defeat yet they shook hands with their heads held high. The Eagles went crazy and it was a night they will never forget. In the Sophomore Flag league the game was just as exciting. Coach Cole Plafcan and the Bears held a lead for most of the game as both offenses stalled in the second half. Until late half heroics by QB Zac White threw a Hail Mary pass to John David White that sealed the deal for the Pats as they pulled out an underdog victory and won the Super Bowl.

Funnest parts of the night: walking out of the bathroom and seeing a fan from the Bears (who originally had a gray beard) who was now sporting an orange one, praying for all four teams before the game, watching Coach Mike Cumming pick up and throw all of his players in the air right after he gave them their Super Bowl medal, seeing the Eagles and Vikings go back and forth (and back and forth...), correcting a fan on the sidelines for mouthing only to give him a hug 5 seconds later, and last but not least, seeing tears of joy and tears of dissapointment in each and every kids eyes because those are the things that build Character....winning AND losing. (more on the games later)

After both of the games and award ceremonies I jolted off to Pulaski Academy where we had the 9-10 Junior Flag Super Bowl. Anthony had already started the game and when I got there it was the second half. It was a battle and was 20-12 Eagles when I got to the game. The Eagles were driving to score and put the game out of reach when Justice Hill threw a pass to Jake Wingfield for a touchdown only to be called back because Hill had crossed the line of scrimmage before throwing. The Eagles then punted and the Bucs had one more shot. With time running out, Ely Caroom from the Bucs threw a DEEP Pass to Hunter Corbell for a 95 yard touchdown (of course the field is only 80 yds long so I guess a 75 yd TD.) The score was 20-18 and the Eagles had to stop the Bucs to keep their perfect season and win the Super Bowl. The Eagles knocked down a pass to win and the crowd went wild. After the game Head Coach of the Eagles Johnny Tollett addressed the crowd before he handed out his medals "We have played many tough games against Caroom and the Buccs, but tonight I was as proud of the Buccs as I am of my Eagles". That is what Life CHAMPS is all about.

Please listen to the PODScast as I do a vocal rundown of all of our games as well.

SYBF
Ben Faires

Let the Sun Shine - November 2, 2009
A weekend full of football, and a sunshine that was long overdue to be seen by our grass blades! I myself was doing a sundance instead of the typical "raindance" in hopes that our games would be played. My dance worked and God brought the sunshine in full force. It was a beautiful day for all Life CHAMPS athletes and parents as Anthony and I flew around on the old golf cart.

We could not be more impressed and thankful for how well this year has gone. As we wrap up the season we just want to express our thanks from the LC Staff for your patience with us during the season with all of the rain. I also want to thank all of our coaches for their time, effort, influence, and determination to complete this season with such great enthusiasm. We were very impressed with how everyone handled themselves this year, and hopefully we had an everlasting influence on these kids.

Thanks to all who have ever been involved and who were involved this season.

SYBF
Ben Faires

Here is a link that shows what life and football are all about. I encourage you to let your kids watch!! http://www.iamsecond.com/#/seconds/Colt_Sam/.

Crowning Seniors - October 30, 2009
Getting near the end of the season is always exciting, sad, fun, and long overdue for some. Life CHAMPS is so excited to be able to crown Champions over the next 2 weeks.

This past Monday we were able to crown the 11-12 year old Tackle Green Bay Packers under the direction of Coach Michael Hui. The Packers defeated the Raiders in the Super Bowl game by a score of 13- 0. Coach Hui says "it's always hard to close down a season, and my guys want some more. We felt like we jumped on them early, got a lead, and hung on as the clock kept ticking."

The Packers were able to squeak by the Raiders to salvage their perfect season. Raiders Coach Nate Stewart's thoughts on the game: "All of the guys played very hard, the Packers are physical, but Coach Nate says the Raiders never quit, and they gave 100% until the very end."

It was wet out there, but we could not be more proud of our "seniors". This age group is always filled with extremely talented athletes that are transitioning into their school teams.

As Anthony and I walked the sidelines of War Memorial, it was fun to reminisce with each other on times we played in the stadium. Anthony of course has more experience in the stadium then I do, but I remember when we (UCA) played there in 2005 against UAPB. It was our first game of the season and we were all excited to take the field. The play that sticks out in my mind was a hustle play. Our tight end caught a pass and was heading for the goal line when he fumbled on the 2 yard line. I had been trailing him looking for the ball. The ball popped out, and I scooped it up dove in for the TD.

Another great memory in War Memorial stadium, as Life CHAMPS tries to get our 11-12 year old "seniors" to develop their own memories of playing at War Memorial. Looking forward to the next 2 weeks as we go deep into the playoffs and crown more 2009 Super Bowl CHAMPS!

SYBF
Ben Faires