🏈 Catholic United Football (GRACEAC) 🏈

Faith • Development • Competition • Community

🟢 PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The GRACEAC football program operates under the Catholic United model, bringing together 5th–8th grade boys from across the Diocese to form competitive, development-focused teams.

Due to participation numbers, teams are divided by geography into:

🟦 Catholic United West (CUW)

🟨 Catholic United East (CUE)

📌 Any player may participate on either United team regardless of school.

🔵 TEAM STRUCTURE BY REGION

🟦 Catholic United West (CUW)

Primarily students from:

  • ABVM
  • OLC
  • DPA
  • Holy Trinity
  • St. Anthony
  • Holy Spirit
  • Sacred Heart
  • St Patrick Parnell
  • All Saints Academy
  • Corpus Christi

🟨 Catholic United East (CUE)

Primarily students from:

  • St. Thomas
  • SJDA
  • St. Paul
  • IHM
  • SJV
  • St Robert
  • Corpus Christi

📌 Participation may vary by location

🏈 GRADE LEVEL TEAMS

Football is divided into three levels:

  • 🟢 5th/6th Grade (combined teams) (East & West separate)
  • 🔵 7th Grade teams (East & West separate)
  • 🔴 8th Grade teams (East & West separate)

Key Structure Notes:

  • 7th & 8th grade teams compete as separate East/West teams
  • Games are designed so players compete against others in the same grade
  • Focus is on player development and fair competition

📅 Key Dates

  • Registration: May 15 - June 15
  • Practices Begin: Monday following the 1st Tuesday of August
  • Games Finish: Mid October
  • Regular Season: Games typically start after Labor Day

🗓️ SEASON STRUCTURE

🟢 7th & 8th Grade

  • 🏈 7 games per season typically
  • 📅 Games on Wednesday nights
  • 🕡 Start time: ~6:30 PM typically
  • 📍 Begins after Labor Day
  • 📍 Ends mid Oct

🟡 5th/6th Grade

  • 🏈 7 games per season typically
  • 📅 Games on Saturdays
  • 🕘 Game times: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (varies)
  • 📍 Games start after Labor Day
  • 📍 Season ends mid October

🏟️ PRACTICE & GAME LOCATIONS

🟦 Catholic United West (CUW)

📍 Headquarters: West Catholic High School
1801 Bristol Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

  • 🏈 Home Games: West Catholic High School (Falcon Stadium area)
  • 🏃 Practices:
    • West Catholic practice field - Band field (northeast of stadium) for 5/6th
    • Holy Spirit School for 7/8th
      2222 Lake Michigan Dr NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
      (field behind school/church)

🟨 Catholic United East (CUE)

📍 Primary Facility: The CAT
2770 Knapp St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525

  • 🏈 Home Games:
    • Cougar Stadium
    • Gardiner Field
  • 🏃 Practices:
    • 5th/6th Grade: IHM field
    • 7th/8th Grade: The CAT grass fields

📍 IHM Practice Location:
1951 Plymouth SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
(Field along Plymouth Ave)

🏈 5th/6th GRADE LEAGUE STRUCTURE

🟡 League Participation

  • CUW: West Michigan Junior Football League (WMJFL)
  • CUE: West Michigan Youth Football League (WMYFL)

📊 Team Formation

Teams are balanced using:

  • Grade level
  • Weight
  • Years of tackle experience
  • Proximity of school
  • As a goal, we try to keep as many players from the same school playing together
  • A combine or draft may take place with the coaches and coordinator forming team placements

📌 Rosters are generated using league balancing formulas to create equal teams.

Example:

  • 44 players → two teams of 22
  • We would like a minimum of 21 players per team

🧠 PLAYER DEVELOPMENT FOCUS (5th/6th GRADE)

The 5th/6th program is designed to:

  • 🏈 Teach football fundamentals
  • 🧠 Develop individual player skills
  • 🤝 Build teamwork and sportsmanship
  • 💪 Promote long-term athletic development
  • ⭐ Encourage multi-position learning

📌 Coaches emphasize growth, not early specialization:

  • Players may rotate positions
  • Late development is expected and encouraged
  • Focus is on long-term athletic potential

🧰 EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

Provided by GRACEAC:

  • Helmet 
  • Shoulder pads
  • Uniform top
  • Practice jersey

📌 All provided equipment must be returned after the season

Provided by Parents:

  • Game/practice pants:
    • 🟨 CUE: Gold pants
    • 🟦 CUW: Black pants
    • Recommended: padded integrated football pants
  • Cleats
  • Socks
  • Mouthpiece

📌 First week of practice: helmet + shorts only

📱 REGISTRATION & COMMUNICATION

  • All athletes must register via TeamSnap
  • TeamSnap is used for:
    • Schedules
    • Rosters
    • Coach communication
    • Updates and alerts

Required paperwork before first practice:

  • Updated physical
  • Concussion acknowledgement form
  • Any school-specific requirements

⭐ SEASON AT A GLANCE

🏈 Grades: 5th–8th Boys
🟦 Teams: Catholic United East & West
📅 Season Start: After Labor Day
🏟️ Games: Wednesdays (7th/8th) | Saturdays (5th/6th)
📍 Locations: West Catholic & The CAT/IHM
📲 Communication: TeamSnap

Rules: CUW - WMJFL - CUW Rules 

CUE - WMYFL - CUE Rules

🟢 Catholic United Football Mission

The program focuses on:

  • Building strong student-athletes
  • Teaching fundamentals and technique of the game
  • Promoting teamwork, dignity, and respect
  • Preparing athletes for high school athletics
  • Creating a positive Catholic community experience

🏈 Play hard. Grow together. Compete with purpose.