New head football coach Albert Song is requiring all his players to sit in the front of their classrooms and to act as exemplary students. Some may consider this excessive, but he says he is preaching a character-first mentality.

“My goal is to develop character first,” Song said. “I’m trying to create men. I want them to be great students by having discipline, and if they can do this, they will be men, and men are great football players.”

Discipline is just one of the five key principles that Song pushes his team to work toward. The others include desire, devotion, determination and details.

“Anytime you are trying to be successful, you need discipline,” Song said. “So many things are happening on the football field at one time. It’s organized chaos, and the more organized you are in the chaos, the more successful the team [will be].”

While many of Song’s policies are demanding, the players understand the value behind the classroom requirements.

“Not everyone is jumping to abide by these rules, but we do it anyway because that’s what it takes to build a disciplined program,” senior captain Andrew Zuckerman said. “All in all, we wanted to prove that not everyone can be a football player. It takes mental toughness, desire, devotion and dedication.”

Song relies on the CHS security team to sweep the halls and classrooms to make sure his players are at their best behavior during school.

“You need to get help to be successful,” Song said. “I have asked everyone to play a part.”

Song also sent an email to staff members detailing his efforts and asking to allow players to sit in the front of the classroom as long as it does not disrupt teachers’ plans.

“I like the way Song is looking at the players as full humans as opposed to football positions,” English teacher Jeffery Savett said. “It assures the athletes that they are unified not just on the field, but they are unified in growing together in other areas.”

The Bulldogs started the season off with a 27-8 loss against Clarksburg Sept. 4 followed by a 30-24 win against Einstein Sept. 11. Zuckerman played a large role in the team’s second-half comeback against Einstein, rushing for a total of 276 yards. The team’s resiliency and effort reflects on Song’s policies in the classroom and how they were translated onto the football field.

“I think coach Song’s policies show that it’s not just about football with him,” Zuckerman said. “He’s mostly focused on creating respectful men.”