The United States Air Force Academy Athletic Department has developed a youth program as a way of giving back to the supporters of USAFA Athletics. This program, KID FORCE, is open to all kids in the 8th grade or younger (NCAA rules prohibit participation by high school age students). It is only $25.00 per school year to join.
MISSION: The mission of Kid Force is (1) to expose our members to over 27 intercollegiate sports to facilitate the learning of new skills, goal setting, teamwork and sportsmanship, (2) to encompass all youth interested in the many educational aspects the Air Force Academy has to offer and (3) to position the Air Force Academy intercollegiate athletes as role models for youth in the local community.
HISTORY: Kid Force began in the 1980s as a youth program specific to women's basketball. Marti Gasser, head women's basketball coach at the time, had a vision of getting kids involved with her players on a role-model basis. She paired players with kids and allowed children to sit on the bench with the team during a game. When Gasser became the Associate Athletic Director in 1998, she still held the vision of Kid Force, but expanded her sights to include all Air Force Academy sports. In 1998, Kid Force became an all-sport youth program.
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
For an annual membership fee of $25, members will receive the following:
- Free admission to Baseball, Boxing, Cross Country (M/W), Fencing (M/W), Golf, Gymnastics (M/W), Lacrosse, Rifle, Soccer (M/W), Swimming (M/W), Tennis (M/W), Track and Field (M/W), Water Polo and Wrestling
- Admission to select events for Football, Basketball (M/W), Volleyball and Hockey
- Kid Force T-shirt
- Birthday card from "The Bird"
- Invitations to special events and clinics
- "Bird Talk" newsletters
- Kid Force giveaways
- Annual picnic
WHY ATTEND THE GAMES & CLINICS?
By attending the sporting events you get to watch some of your favorite cadets compete at their favorite sports. The clinics then allow you to get into the action yourself. With the athletes help, you can learn about different intercollegiate sports you one day may want to participate in. Not only are the games and clinics fun, exciting and educational, but they earn you "Falcon Points". The events that earn points are stated on the backside of the newsletter.
HOW DO I EARN FALCON POINTS?
- RENEWAL - 10 points
If you were a member of KID FORCE last year, you receive points for renewing your membership. - MEMBERSHIP - 8 points
Just for joining the club, we award you points to start you off on your goal toward earning the most points. - GAME - 6 points
When you attend specially designated games at Air Force, you earn points. - REFERRAL - 4 points
If someone joins Kid Force and says that you recommended they join the club, then you'll receive points. - CLINIC - 3 points
Every time you attend a clinic at Air Force you earn points. - SPECIAL EVENTS - 1 point
When we host special events for Kid Force, then you earn a point for each event you attend.
To earn your points at home football games you must check in at the Kid Force table located in the Fanfest tailgate area. For men's basketball and ice hockey events the checkin is at the program tables located on the center concourse. For women's basketball and volleyball the checkin areas are the ticket office window (basketball) or table (volleyball).
"BIRD TALK" NEWSLETTERS
Each month, "The Bird" helps write up a newsletter for all of the members of Kid Force so he can personally make sure everyone is aware of what is going on in the upcoming months. "The Bird" wants lots of Kid Force members at all of the home events. "The Bird" is not all business though...on the back of the newsletters there are fun, educational sections. Make sure you read the newsletter every month so you can be "up" on what's happening.
IMPORTANT MEMBERSHIP NOTE!!
Due to NCAA regulations, you must by 8th grade or younger to participate in Kid Force. Some restrictions apply, including postseason tournaments. Members must have an adult supervisor at ALL times. The U.S. Air Force Academy is not liable for any injuries that may occur during Kid Force events.
