The Kennedy Football program is hosting the second annual Junior Cougar Day for future Cougar football players on Saturday, April 1 at 10 a.m. The players and coaching staff are welcoming upcoming athletes to this free event to experience aspects of the football program.

The event is open to all seventh and eighth-grade students, and athletes will have the opportunity to meet and interact with the program’s coaches and last season’s roster. Current participants hope to give future Kennedy players a good experience that will spark excitement for high school football.

“We want our future players excited about coming to Kennedy HS and comfortable when they arrive having already met the coaches and some teammates,” said Head Varsity Coach Brian White.

Attendees will be provided with information about the program and have the opportunity to talk to and get to know the current football players at Kennedy. They will participate in a photo shoot and try their hand at a variety of combine drills and tests. A t-shirt will also be provided for those in attendance.

“This event will help the program by integrating our future Cougars into the right path right away,” said sophomore Varsity Quarterback Vincenzo Gianforte. “The sooner we get them in the system of Kennedy football, the better.”

Fostering a sense of community before players arrive on the Kennedy field can lead to a better team dynamic.

“We want them to leave here knowing that they are joining a football family that truly cares about them as young men, students and athletes,” said White said.

Organizers and hosts hope that the free event motivates potential future Cougars to try out the program with the guidance of older players around them. The event will take place at Kennedy High School and a QR code to register can be found on the Cedar Rapids Kennedy Football Twitter.

“Interacting with the future of Kennedy football is a great way to introduce them to the way we do things,” said Gianforte. “Meeting the future athletes and stars of Kennedy football is a special thing to me.”