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Athletic Index

The Athletic Index is our starting point for measuring an athlete's current physical development. It combines key athletic traits such as speed, agility, explosiveness, strength, and overall movement ability into a single baseline score. This score is not used to determine an athlete's value, potential, or playing time—it simply helps us understand where each athlete is beginning their journey.

We use the Athletic Index to track growth and development over time. By establishing a baseline at the start of the season, coaches can identify strengths, target areas for improvement, and measure progress throughout the year. Our goal is not to compare athletes against one another, but to help each athlete become a better version of themselves through consistent effort, training, and development.

What to Expect in the Wolverines Family

The Missoula Wolverines are committed to providing a safe, structured, and development-focused football experience. Our program is designed to help athletes build confidence, character, athletic ability, and football knowledge while competing against quality opponents throughout the Northwest. Success is measured not only by wins and losses, but by the growth of each athlete as a player, teammate, and young leader.

Program Standards

We believe great teams are built on strong habits and personal accountability.

  • Effort and attitude are always within an athlete's control and are expected every day.
  • Playing time is earned through attendance, preparation, effort, and accountability.
  • Parents are expected to support athletes, coaches, teammates, and officials with respect.
  • Athlete safety and long-term development take priority over short-term results.
  • We strive to develop disciplined athletes, resilient competitors, and supportive teammates

 

Strength & Conditioning Philosophy

Athletic development is a core part of our program. Our training follows a progressive approach designed to build athletes safely and effectively.

  • Our focus is developing better athletes, not simply lifting heavier weights.
  • Movement quality and athletic fundamentals are taught first.
  • Strength and conditioning are built on a foundation of proper technique.
  • New skills are developed before increasing training intensity.
  • Resistance and weight are added once an athlete demonstrates consistent mechanics and control.

Season Structure

The Wolverines season is designed to prepare athletes for competition while balancing family, school, and other activities.

Practice:

  • Begins in mid-July.
  • The first two weeks function as a training camp with five practices per week.
  • Training camp focuses on conditioning, football fundamentals, team culture, and installation of offensive and defensive systems.

Games:

  • Begin in August - September,
  • Practices transitions to four practices per week.
  • Practice schedule may be adjusted later in the season to accommodate other school activities, including basketball.
  • The first week of hunting season (or youth hunting week) is anticipated as a potential bye week whenever scheduling allows.

Competition & Travel

As a travel football program, the Wolverines provide athletes opportunities to compete against teams from across the region.

  • A minimum five-game schedule is planned each season.
  • Regional travel opportunities currently include Montana and Oregon competition.
  • Additional games and events are actively being finalized.
  • We continue to build relationships with organizations throughout the Northwest to expand future competition opportunities and provide the best experience possible for our athletes.

Registration & Program Fees

We are excited to launch the inaugural season of the Missoula Wolverines and want to make participation as accessible as possible for local families.

Standard Season Registration: $650

Inaugural Season Discount: -$350

2026 Athlete Registration: $300
Not due till 1st day of practice

Registration fees help cover league participation, insurance, equipment, field expenses, game operations, administrative costs, and program development.

Each registered athlete receives:

  • Official game jersey
  • Game pants
  • Access to all team practices and scheduled competitions
  • Strength and conditioning programming
  • Athlete evaluations and development tracking

Athletes are responsible for providing their own helmet, shoulder pads, practice pants, and other personal football equipment.

We remain committed to providing a high-quality football experience while keeping costs as affordable as possible for families during our inaugural season.

Our Goal: As sponsorship and fundraising efforts grow, our long-term objective is to further reduce participation costs and expand opportunities for athletes throughout the Missoula community.

Practice & Game Locations

Our primary practice location is:

Redfern Park – Missoula, Montana

Game locations will vary based on scheduling and travel opportunities. Local game field partnerships are currently being finalized and will be announced as soon as agreements are completed.

Gear and Equipment

Athlete Equipment Requirements

Player safety is one of our highest priorities. To ensure every athlete is properly protected, each family is responsible for providing the following personal equipment:

Required Athlete Equipment

  • Football Helmet
  • Shoulder Pads
  • Practice Pants with Integrated Pads or Football Pads
  • Mouthguard
  • Cleats
  • Athletic Cup (Recommended)
  • Water Bottle
Equipment Sizing & Safety Process

We ask families to hold off on purchasing helmets and shoulder pads until after our first practice. Our coaching staff will measure and properly size every athlete before providing parents with recommended equipment options and sizing information.

All helmet recommendations will be based on Virginia Tech's Youth Helmet 5-Star Safety Ratings, helping families make informed decisions when selecting equipment.

Proper fit is critical for athlete safety. Purchasing equipment before sizing can result in improper fit, unnecessary expense, and reduced protection.

Equipment Discounts

We are proud to partner with local and national organizations to help reduce equipment costs for our families.

SCHEELS Missoula

  • 20% discount on eligible football equipment purchases for Wolverines families.

Schutt Sports Team Program

  • Helmet and shoulder pad package available for approximately $200.
  • Requires a minimum order of 10 participating athletes.
  • Additional details and ordering information will be provided once participation requirements are met.

Our goal is to help every family obtain quality, properly fitted equipment at the most affordable price possible while maintaining high safety standards.

Training Equipment & Athlete Development

The Missoula Wolverines are committed to providing athletes with a safe, effective, and development-focused training environment. We utilize age-appropriate football and athletic development equipment designed to teach proper movement, football fundamentals, and safe contact techniques.

Our current training equipment includes:

Football Development Equipment
  • 4 Youth Blocking Shields
  • 2 Youth Stand-Up Dummies
  • 4 Youth Tackle Wheels
  • 2 Youth Weighted Pull Sleds
  • 8 Team Footballs
  • 2 Throwing Target Nets
Athletic Development Equipment
  • 4 Footwork Ladders
  • 6 Step-Over Pads
  • 2 Step Hurdle Sets
  • 3 Agility Cone Sets
  • 5 Medicine Balls
Game Day Equipment
  • Field Yard Markers
  • Down & Distance Chain Set

This equipment allows athletes to develop:

  • Proper tackling and blocking mechanics
  • Speed, agility, and footwork
  • Balance, coordination, and body control
  • Explosiveness and athletic power
  • Position-specific football skills
  • Team communication and game awareness

Our coaching philosophy emphasizes teaching technique before contact and movement quality before intensity. By using specialized training equipment, athletes can safely build confidence and master fundamentals through repetition and progressive instruction.

Future Equipment Goals

As a first-year program, we continue to invest in equipment that improves athlete development and safety. Future equipment goals include:

  • Fisher 12-Arm Power Blaster
  • Crash Pads and Landing Mats
  • Additional Position-Specific Training Equipment
  • Expanded Strength and Conditioning Resources

Every equipment purchase is evaluated through one lens: helping athletes learn safer techniques, develop confidence, and become better football players.

 

Communication & Parent Engagement

Clear communication is essential to a successful season.

  • TeamSnap serves as the primary platform for schedules, attendance, and team updates.
  • Families can expect regular weekly communication from the coaching staff.
  • Weather delays, schedule adjustments, and other time-sensitive changes will be communicated immediately.
  • We maintain an open-door communication policy and welcome parent questions.

24-Hour Rule: To ensure productive conversations, we ask families to observe a 24-hour cooling-off period before discussing game-related concerns with coaches following a contest.

Discounts & Volunteer Opportunities

We believe in building a strong football community and encourage family involvement whenever possible.

Family Discount
  • Multiple athletes from the same family receive a $100 discount per athlete.
Volunteer Coach Discount

Receive a $150 registration discount by serving as a volunteer coach (limited positions available).

Requirements:

  • NFHS Concussion Certification
  • AAU Coach Registration
  • AAU Background Check
Game Official Discount

Receive a $50 registration discount by serving as a game official.

Requirements:

  • NFHS Officiating Certification

Volunteer opportunities help reduce program costs while providing additional support for our athletes and families.