Lions Football Announces 2026 Player & Parent Meeting

The Providence Academy football program is preparing for the 2026 season and has released important information for players and families regarding upcoming meetings, summer practices, and strength training expectations.

The annual Player and Parent Meeting will take place on Sunday, May 3 at 5:00 PM in the gym at West Lutheran High School. All student-athletes entering grades 9 through 12 who plan to participate in Varsity or C-Team football this fall are strongly encouraged to attend, along with both parents. The meeting will cover key topics including schedules, important dates, registration information, and a detailed overview of the current state of the program. There will also be a strong emphasis on planned changes for the 2026 season, making it important for families to understand what playing Lions Football will look like moving forward.

Looking ahead to the summer, the Lions coaching staff has announced practice dates to help families plan accordingly. Summer practices will take place on the Providence Academy stadium turf field from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The scheduled dates include June 9 through 11, as well as June 17 and 18. Additional sessions will be held in July on the 14th through the 16th and again from July 28 through 30. These dates are an important part of the team’s preparation, and players are encouraged to prioritize attendance when planning summer activities.

Strength and conditioning will continue to be a major focus of the program throughout the spring and summer. For players in grades 10 through 12 who are not participating in a spring sport such as baseball, track, or lacrosse, there is an expectation to complete a trackable strength program four times per week. The Providence Academy weightroom will be available after school for all co-op football players to support this training. For those athletes who are involved in a spring sport, the expectation is adjusted to a trackable strength program two times per week. In addition, optional lifting sessions will be available at the Providence Academy weightroom on Monday and Wednesday mornings from 6:45 to 7:30 AM. Players who have a game or meet scheduled on those days are not required to attend those sessions.

For any questions regarding weightroom access or strength programming across the co-op schools, families can reach out to the designated strength coaches. At Providence Academy, the Head of Strength Training is Jaylaan Wimbush. At Maranatha Christian Academy, the contact is Coach Ed Ferron. At West Lutheran, players can connect with Coach Phil Meitner, and at Heritage Christian Academy, the point of contact is Matt Ellgen, who serves as both a Physical Education teacher and Strength Coach.

Summer strength training at the Providence Academy weightroom will begin on Monday, June 8 and will run Monday through Thursday mornings. Incoming ninth and tenth grade players will train from 8:00 to 9:00 AM, while eleventh and twelfth grade players will lift from 9:00 to 10:00 AM. This summer training schedule is designed to build strength, consistency, and preparation heading into the fall season.

All of these topics will be discussed in greater detail at the May 3 Player and Parent Meeting. Head Coach Colin Rooney and the Lions football staff look forward to seeing players and families as they begin preparations for the 2026 season.

Go Lions!