It’s been 7 months since my son tried out for the Long Island Elite National Team for the first time and we didn’t know what to expect. Jesse is 13 years old and in the 8th grade. He’s always worked hard for what he’s wanted but with Long Island Elite, I saw something from him I’d never seen before. He was born with a good bit of natural athleticism. He’s been running track since he was 4 years old and recruited by the local coaches to play youth football since kindergarten.
From left to right: Coach Maurino (Stonybrook University), Coach Monfiletto (Stonybrook University), Jesse Dougherty, Coach Sclafani, Coach Shelton (University of Tenessee)
When he finally started playing PAL football in 5th grade I was nervous and didn’t know what to expect. I felt he was at a disadvantage starting later than most of the kids on the team who had played for 5 years at this point. Not only did he love it, but he could play really well. He was behind the other kids who started playing younger, so he worked twice as hard to learn the game and fit in. He grew to love football, but later when he got better he always felt like something was missing. Jesse always wanted more.
He would come home from school and ask to do clinics, work shops, football camps and join a travel league. He would say to me “mom I know I’m good, but I want to be the best”. He told me he wanted to train with the best and play with the best. He talked about wanting to play college football from the start and that dream has never wavered.
The thing I believe he gained the most from being part of the Long Island Elite National Team program in these 7 short months is CONFIDENCE! That alone is worth so much more than any membership or training that money could buy. I knew he was good but now HE sees himself as good!!
He worked hard to earn a spot on the team during tryouts and he rose to the challenge. He has had to play with an established group of very talented young men who have been playing together for years and he stepped up and inserted himself at their level and completely exceeded my expectations. The team is full of kids who have received national recognition at camps and clinics, and some of the kids on the age group a year older already have college offers.
Jesse’s heart and passion for the game shows in how every day he is putting in 100% effort no matter how tired he is, no matter what the weather is, and no matter what obstacle lies in front of him. He has balanced school work, school sports and travel football and even when he wishes he could just take a break, he gets dressed, ties up the laces and goes to put in the work.
He wants to play at the highest level, and he knows the coaches at Long Island Elite are there to give him the training he needs on and off the field to prepare for high school and college.
One thing I struggled with before he joined the Long Island Elite National Team was watching him take a back seat to others because they had played longer (weren’t necessarily better), or they were on an established team where Jesse was the newcomer. Coaches sons and sons of their friends always seemed to be on the field whether they were better than their teammates or not.
I’ve taught Jesse the harder you work and the better you are the more opportunities you will have. I reminded him not to be distracted by politics and the other stuff. and that by expanding his skills and learning to play more positions it would help him get more time on the field. This is exactly what Long Island Elite has given him! Playing time and depth charts were based on merits and ability.
Jesse was already a fast runner and a good running back, but the coaches at Long Island Elite were different. They played in college and a few of them played in the NFL and they were different than little league coaches. They helped Jesse become more than just an above average player. They constantly talked to him about advanced X and O’s and lost me in that process. Their ability to put it the advanced things they were teaching Jess into a form that he could understand was amazing.
We took Jesse to participate at a national level camp. It is called FBU, and he received an invite to their coveted Top Gun showcase in Naples Florida. I didn’t know anything about FBU so during my research I found out over 200 kids participate and 40 received an invite. They have a bunch of alumni in top college programs and the NFL. He really earned the invite, they don’t just hand it out to everyone. It’s not a money grab.
I’m not sure if I had brought Jesse to a camp like that before he was part of the Long Island Elite National Team program that he would have excelled and shined the way he did on that field. I believe in part he got the invite because of the extra work he puts in and because of the training and exposure Long Island Elite football has given him.
Above all the confidence he has gained has been immeasurable. From the frigid cold practices in December, to the long days of school and practice. To the travel gamges sometimes playing teams 2 years older. He has done an excellent job rising to the challenge juggling sports, school work, chores and everything else.
As his mom I have always been proud of him and he can be the worst or the best on that team and I’ll love him and support him all the same . But I truly believe he has a future if he chooses to, I can’t wait to watch him soar to new heights and chase those dreams.
We are forever grateful to the Long Island Elite National Team program for the training & exposure, and for the advice on what camps to go to, how to set up his social media, and for the classes on recruiting and NIL.
I want to thank all of his Long Island Elite National Team coaches and the players and people who have become like family to us!
-Crystal Dougherty
