ELIGIBILITY:
The Nighthawks are an athletic organization for homeschoolers. Additionally, athletes must: live with their parent/legal guardian and not have participated in any form of a high school graduation ceremony
MY SON IS NEW TO FOOTBALL: The best time to start playing football is now. Many of the players on our teams are new to football and we have coaches at all levels who are dedicated to teaching the new boys all the fundamentals of the sport. If you’re hesitant about your son joining the varsity team with little experience, you have nothing to worry about. This year we have started a JV team for younger players to develop their skills against other younger players in the city.
SPORTS PHYSICAL:
Each player is required to pass a Sports Physical prior to the first practice and file a copy with the Nighthawks. If the athlete has one on file with the Nighthawks, it cannot be older than January 1, of the current year.
AGE GROUPS (on August 1st of the current year):
Varsity – 18 years old or younger
7th/8th– 14 years old (Unless you are going into 9th grade) or younger
5th/6th Grade – 12 years old or younger
FEES:
$390 – Varsity
$290 – 5th/6th & 7th/8th
We have a new online payment system that allows parents to sign up in 3 easy payments.
$100 discount for each player beyond 2 from the same family.
Where do we sign up: Sign-ups are available year round. Click here to find out more. Contact us if you have any questions or problems with sign-ups.
HARDSHIP:
If you have a financial difficulty, please let us know. We have ways to help. We don’t want your boy to miss out on football because money was an obstacle.
PRACTICES (Late July – Mid November):
Varsity – MON, TUE, THUR, FRI – 6:00 p.m.-8:00 pm Games will eventually replace Friday practice. Game film review on Monday nights once games start.
7th/8th & 5th/6th – MON, TUE, THUR, FRI – 6:00 p.m.-8:00 pm Games will eventually replace Thursday practice. Practice may end early on varsity game nights.
Practice for all teams is held at Briarwood Baptist Church (1900 N Germantown Parkway) Once practice starts, we recommend players that live farther away get with teammates in their area and workout a carpool system.
SCHEDULE:
Varsity plays 10 regular season games and 2 postseason games at the National Homeschool Football Association Tournament in Panama City Beach, Florida.
7th/8th & 5th/6th plays 8-10 regular season games.
See SCHEDULES tab at the top of the page for a complete season schedule.
Varsity games will be usually be played at a combination of St. Benedict High School, Cordova High School, and Germantown High School on Friday nights. We do not have our own stadium as of yet, but we try our best to get the nicest venues possible for our boys.
Lower teams will play on our opponents fields throughout the city on Thursday nights.
PLAYING TIME:
The Nighthawks do not guarantee equal playing time for Varsity or JV. Varsity teams are competitive and playing-time is merited based on ability, attitude, game & practice performance. All playing time is awarded at the discretion of the coach(s).
5th/6th & 7th/8th grade teams are also competitive, with ability, attitude, game & practice performance dictating the starters. But the coaches try their very best to get every player on the field during the season. With hard work and determination, anyone can work their way up to a starting job.
UNIFORMS & EQUIPMENT:
Players will be issued game jerseys, game pants, belt, game socks, and a team bag.
Players are responsible for:
- Black Helmet
- Shoulder pads
- Cleats ( Must Be Black, red, grey, silver, or white cleats)
- Girdle
- Mouthpiece
- White practice jersey and white practice pants
We recommend All-American on Summer ave for Varsity players and bigger lower team player equipment. Dicks is best suited for the majority of our lower team players.
When you sign up online you will receive a 20 dollar coupon to use at Dicks as well.
*If you have a true hardship and can not get this equipment, please contact us.*
Families are required to reimburse the Nighthawks for replacing lost equipment and uniforms while it is in the player’s care, and for uniforms ruined by improper laundering.
TRAVEL:
The majority of Nighthawks varsity games are played here in Memphis, but a few are as far as Little Rock, Nashville, and Springfield, MO. A parent/legal guardian must accompany players while the team is traveling unless acceptable arrangements have been made in advance. It is the responsibility of each player to make proper travel arrangements. This includes the trip to Panama City, Florida, in November.
NHFA TOURNAMENT:
The Nighthawks Varsity team participates in the National Homeschool Football Association Tournament in Panama City Beach, Florida, the Wed-Sat before Thanksgiving every November. Varsity players are expected to make every effort to participate in this tournament. Travel expenses are not included in the player’s fees. Family members are welcome and many Nighthawks families make the trip to Florida an annual tradition. The Nighthawks typically have 100+ players, cheerleaders, and family members, make the trip each season.
INSURANCE:
Part of your dues goes towards a supplemental insurance. it is not full medical insurance, but it helps cover what your regular insurance does not.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT: The Nighthawks are a volunteer organization. Your help is needed. The Nighthawks are always in need of people who will: Coach, Assistant Coach, Run Game Clock, Keep Stats, Video Games, Coordinate Fundraisers, Coordinate Concessions & Gate at games, Operate the Down Marker and Chains at games, Coordinate year-end parties, and banquets, etc. Please let us know if you can help.
COMMUNICATION:
The Nighthawks communicate exclusively through our website, email,and social media. Check your email regularly. If you don’t, you will miss something.
Email: memphisnighthawkspride@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/939551389485137/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Nighthawkfootball/
Memphis Nighthawks Football 