A picture is worth a thousand words.

Look at the players who participated in the 19th Annual LMHS Co-ed Youth Football Clinic held at the historic Arnold Field.

“Audibles” are a big part of football and the coaches and varsity players put the kids in on-the-field situations which required quick thinking and adjustments.

Throughout the two-hour Clinic, managed expertly by LM Varsity Head Coach Joe Augustine and his players, on Sunday morning May 31, words of encouragement were heard as the kids worked through drills and plays.

And they even did some styling on the gridiron through Coach Augustine’s “Sideline Football.”

All proceeds and sponsors’ dollars go to support the Dr. Joseph W. Foote Memorial Award given by the Lower Merion Township Scholarship Fund.

This year’s recipient is Jacky Dong who, along with other LMHS and Harriton seniors, was recognized on Wednesday, May 20 at the Merion Tribute House during the annual New Recipient Reception, conducted by Sarah Altman, Chair of the LMTSF Board of Governors.

The Lower Merion Township Scholarship Fund was created in 1964 by a group of community leaders, with the support of the district’s school board.

These citizen-leaders recognized that the means and circumstances of Lower Merion residents vary widely, and that access to higher education will always be vital to sustaining and growing the Lower Merion and Narberth community and beyond.

With this in mind they had a vision, to help make post-secondary studies affordable for Lower Merion and Harriton High School graduates having a true financial need.

As a 501(c)(3) organization, LMTSF relies on support from the community to fulfill the “acorn” mission.

Contributions from families, alumni, businesses, school activities, sponsors, and neighbors all help Lower Merion and Harriton students to succeed.

To note, prospective youth football players should know that helmets and protective gear are at their most efficient and effective levels to date.

Upgraded gear, state-of-the-art weight room training, and speed conditioning have attracted more local athletes to the game of football.

Regarding the May 31 Clinic, special thanks go to LM’s Joe Augustine, Varsity Football Head Coach, Sara Campbell, LMHS Athletics Director, LM Principal Mike Johnson, and Melissa O’Connor, President of the Narberth Athletic Association.

Also, NAA covers the cost of the Clinic shirts silk-screened by Mark Williams, owner of Jellen Designs, and distributed to the LMHS Player-Coaches and the Clinic kids.

The bulk of the 2026 proceeds have come from these sponsors: Mrs. Susie Foote, Joseph A. Foote, DMD, MD; and John Pumphrey, Esquire.

Also, Edward L. Woehling, DDS; Catherine M. Foote, DMD; Penn Health for Women at Radnor’s Ann Honebrink “Emerita,” MD, F.A.C., OG; and Narberth Athletics Association.

Most fun for the Clinic kids are the donations of branded gear bags and water bottles supplied by LMHS Alumnus Brett Strohsacker, Vice President of Football Communications for the Philadelphia EAGLES.

In the hearts and minds of all Clinic participants is the memory of deceased LMHS Principal Sean Hughes whose “Character Counts” maxim is shown on the t-shirts given to kids, coaches, and sponsors, since May of 2022.

Mary Brown, a weekly columnist for Main Line Media News, is a Board Member of Narberth Athletic Association, Sponsor of the Annual LM Football Clinic since 2008, and a professor of Latin at Saint Joseph’s University.