Football coach says his team 'will work for helmets'
AURORA, Ore. – When the football season ended last fall at North Marion High School, a math problem had football coach Doug Bilodeau stumped.
“After the season, we got our helmets reconditioned, and we lost 15,” he said. “I wanted to add 15, but we lost 15. So that put us in a hole.”
The hole was at least 25 helmets deep and $7,000 wide, with no budget.
“It’s my dream to be a football coach,” said Bilodeau. “From a very young age. It’s been a dream.”
Coach Bilodeau said he knew who would dig the team out of that hole.
“I decided to make a campaign: ‘Will work for helmets,’” he said.
“I’m not looking for a handout. People are willing to give if you’re willing to work."
Bilodeau painted that message on a sign and posted it on Facebook. He told his players to get their shovels ready.
One day later, they got their first job.
“It’s starting to pay off,” he said. “I got an email yesterday from a lady in Wilsonville wanting us to move bark dust next week.”
The coach said they’ll make $500 from that job, enough for two football helmets. He said he knows how important it is to give the players new, safe helmets.
“That’s how I look at it. It’s all pay in helmets.”
Make a donation account through PayPal. You have a great heart love! Let the public help you without you having to work for it.
Great job on the coach's part but shame on a school district that won't budget for sports equipment. @ Aaron Reed-winning is a great part of sports but to say who cares because as you say "they never win"is shallow & ridiculous to even post. How old are you? These kids work together, learn sportsmanship as well as make lasting friendships, not to mention College Scholarships, which can change their entire lives. Sports is part of education I believe & should be budgeted for just like math & science. They may never remember or use skills they learn in science but what they learn in sports will be used in business as well as in relationships.
Last summer we had a garage sale and had the putnam football team showed up asking for donations, I played football in highschool so I was happy to donate some money. Afterwards I though to myself " I never had to do that when I was playing ". I thought " whats different nowdays, Why does this make me angry? Who is responsible for these kind of cutbacks. The ansewer I came up with was the tax cuts for the wealthy was more important tha preserving our way of life for our Kids!
Great idea!
That's my teacher!
nice coach
what a coach.
It is really sad that there is not the money to buy new helmets but it's great that him and the parents are teaching the kids that they have to work for somethings in life. That is an OK lesson!!
That's pretty cool!
Love the DOG.
How about a bake sale or something like that. What is wrong with the parents and kids in your school district? You should not have to take this all upon yourself!
Seems lie a great coach!
This is sad that a coach in america has to do this. What a big heart.
Why don't the school contact Nike for help?
Well, it's a good thing it isn't coming out of tax dollars.
Awesome coach. Its just sad that our schools can't fund these things but yet we can send so much money over seas! Its bs!
What an inspiration.
I heard they are getting a new turf field, but cant afford new helmets?
Wow Aaron apparently you don't have kids or just to ignorant to understand what a sporting event can do for a child
I bet there is a lot of yard work out there people would love to hire football players to help with. Those helmets could be earned on one Saturday. Great for the community and great for the team
Best Coach ever
Mr. B rocks. Not only is he a great teacher that actually cared about his students, but he is a great coach. Keep on rockin Mr. B!!!!!
I went to North Marion and just graduated last year. Good luck Mr. Bilodeau!! Great idea you came up with. It'll also teach the boys to work for what they want. I support you completely. C'mon Huskies!
I went to North Marion - Why bother having sports at the school? They never win - money could be better used on books ect
Big thanks to the coach for caring so much and for coming up with a great idea. Plus it involves the students and they learn to earn what they need. Everyone wins.
that is dedication right there. nice to have a coach looking after our safety of our kids. I say thank you
a coach that cares
This is a coach to be proud of.
Why can't Phil Knight get them some Helmets!!! Come on Nike, do the right thing
Great story and a great coach! He's teaching kids to work and earn what they need to succeed!
what an amazing guy! I don't even watch football! NFL and MLB could learn something from this guy!
I have some yard work they can do, how do I contact them?
Helmets run anywhere from $180-$300. With budget cuts coming down from everywhere it's tough to keep up, especially for smaller programs and its not uncommon for pro players to donate equipment to their alma mater.
Doug is awesome!
FYI..the KIDS are doing the work!! People are hiring the kids to odd jobs to pay for the needed helmets.
Let's hit up some of these way overpaid pro football players and see if they have some extra $$$ to donate. Since this is their field, this would be a win-win for everyone!!
'Rachael I couldn't have said it better myself.
My old high school! A small school with huge heart & spirit. Go huskies!
I saw that on the news last night. The kids ARE helping do the work. He was getting flack from someone for them working and not getting paid because the money was going for equipment.
Maybe people should read the story before jumping to conclusion, because the players are also helping do the work to help earn the money. Great job coach! I hope you get the helmets you need for your team. More schools and communities need people like you!
I would love to help!!!
My old high school. Lets help. Spread this all over fb.
How much are the helmets?
I think this is a great idea!
The players are helping the coach with the jobs!
Good for the coach at least he has a heart to help those kids who can't afford it. You go coach!
Way to go coach! The world needs more people willing to work hard and teach/coach our youth!
What are all the football players doing to help raise money for the 15 helmets for next year? It shouldn't be just on the coach!
I am glad for coaches like him because of him kids like mine can play sports.. sorry but when you are a single parent making minimum wage its hard to save up the money for my kids to play sports.. thank coach north Marion is lucky to have u..
People like Karen make me cringe- not all kids who want to play can pay. I have coached my sons team and personally have paid for shoes and equipment for kid that cant afford certain things. This guy has a golden heart!