Youth Football In Mountain Brook: What Makes It Great

MOUNTAIN BROOK, AL — Sure, the weather outside is steamy and kids are more likely thinking about baseball, golf or tennis rather than football, but registration for youth football in Mountain Brook is underway, and commissioner Brian Lucas wants your kids to participate.

Lucas, who has been a volunteer coach in Mountain Brook Athletics for more than 30 years, took over the commissioner role this year and not only brings experience to the role, but a passion that is unmatched by anyone in the community.

Patch caught up with Lucas to discuss the program in Mountain Brook and why he has been involved for so long:

What makes MBA football special?

To me, football is the heartbeat of the community; 25 percent of our high school students play football. When you add the band, cheerleaders, Dorians, student section, Senior Moms and other groups, it encompasses our city.

I love Mountain Brook football. I've witnessed Coach (Chris) Yeager invest his heart into our Spartans for over 20 years and, to me, he helps me as a father raise a young man of character and I can't thank him enough.

MBA Football is special due to the culture created by the volunteers who give so generously of their time to promote youth football. Our program is like no other in the state and is the envy of the over-the-mountain area. Player participation is the main focus and fostering love of the game is our sole mission.

What separates us from every other sport: our coaches, coaches and coaches is why we are successful. Period, end of story.

For parents that might be wary of signing their kids up, what has MBA done to make the game safer for kids?

Reluctance to register, I believe, is just the unknown of how modern youth football is taught today. We tend to over-schedule our children, but would hope parents would give us an opportunity to coach their children. All our coaches and commissioners will receive Heads Up Football fundamentals training by USAFootball.

This is a 4-hour comprehensive online training covering shoulder tackling, hand blocking, heat and hydration, and many other improved protocols that are nationally recognized as best in class training. Our MBA League Rules are more like upward basketball, that matches like-size and ability players against each other and are proven over time to make the game as safe as possible.

The Game Changer was three years ago when MBA — under the guidance of Coach Yeager — suggested the use of Guardian Shells for practice and games. That first season we saw immediate results and last year we had one documented concussion. Unfortunately this happened to a player on my team who lost leverage on a tackle, fell back and hit the back of his head.

This situation could and does happen on the playgrounds of our schools and other sports but MBA football is committed to exhaust every effort to make the sport as safe as possible. MBA is so fortunate to contract with Children's Sports Medicine, Kenny Davis our Director of Certified Athletic Trainers for all games. If an injury does occur he is available. The care I've witnessed him provide our children is amazing.

I've told Kenny on many occasions I'm not doing football without him and I mean it.

You've been involved in MBA football for more than three decades. What has changed the most, and what has remained constant?

This is my 33rd year of coaching youth athletics and the biggest change to me is the technology that is instant and almost all consuming. Most of all our issues revolve around communication — either parents didn't read the email, text or app. I like the old days of phone call, registering at MBJH using the old 3-part pink, white and yellow forms, but I'm old.

The children remain the constant over the many years. All of them want to learn and will work hard for a shared goal once they understand what's expected of them. Somebody once said the problems with goals is you don't set the bar high enough. Well I ask my kids each year if they want to be good or great? Challenge the kids and our MB Spartans will respond accordingly.

What is your goal as far as participation this year?

Participation increased 26 percent last year during the pandemic which is unprecedented. We changed our recruiting approach this season by opening registration early before school let out for the summer.

Also we targeted rising 3rd and 4th graders because historically it's been hard to recruit these players once summer hits because parents are on trips, lake and just hard to contact.

If I can get 25 percent of each grade I've reached my goal for our recreational program.

Numbers going into the Junior High remain 70+ and we are proud to be a part of that trend.

If I could give one bit of advice for our community it is to play the in season sport and when you have time and you will, do your extra activity. We recognize and want multi sport athletes. It prevents burnout, makes a more well rounded player, provides your player more opportunity to showcase and develop his or her talents.

Coach Yeager supports and promotes Multi sport players. As he said "play them all."

How can parents sign up their kids for the upcoming season?

Registration is available online for 3rd through 6th graders at www.mbathletics.org, or call me with any questions or concerns at 205-368-7578.