Becoming a Billet
We couldn’t be happier with the families who have welcomed our Blaze players into their homes. It takes a very special family to open their home (and hearts) to a young man who is far from home and in need of much more than just a room. They need a family. The Billet family is an integral part of our organization, and without their efforts, our Team would not be successful!
Billet families invite our Blaze players into their homes to be a part of their family for eight months out of the year. In turn the players, age 16-20, take part in many aspects of normal family life with their billets, from family meals to taking on active “big brother” roles at times with their younger billet brothers and sisters in their homes away from home.
A vital factor in accomplishing that goal is assigning players to Billet families who serve as authority figures, role models, and extended family to their assigned player. The efforts of the Billet families make a significant difference in the lives of the young men who have left their homes and families to pursue a dream. In our past experience we’ve seen players show dramatic changes in their confidence level, grade point averages, social graces, behavior, work ethic, relationship to others, and so much more. The benefit derived from placing the players with Billet families is truly immeasurable.
The unique bonds your family will form with the player(s) you house will last a lifetime. It is not uncommon for players, years after their time in the league, to keep in close contact with their former Billet family: keeping them informed of their collegiate, professional and family lives and, in many cases, even inviting their former billets to their weddings!
The management and staff of the Decatur Blaze greatly appreciate those considering serving as a Billet family for the upcoming season. The Blaze only ask that you provide daily meals and a bedroom. Housing families are compensated $400 per player per month to cover grocery expenses. Players provide their own transportation and cell phones. Closer to the start of the season, each Billet family will be provided with the “Rules and Regulations” section of the player’s contract to ensure that they know exactly what we’re expecting of our players during their time with us.
Thank you for taking the time to read the following information and considering the opportunity to change the life of a young man. Please feel free to contact Billet Coordinator Tanya Haubner at (tanya.haubner@gmail.com) if you have questions or need further information.
Billet family responsibilities
- Provide a furnished bedroom with nutritious meals.
- Communicate with your player(s) any rules, curfews, chores, etc.
- Have your player feel at home and a part of your family.
Billet family
benefits
- Season tickets for all home games at the Decatur Civic Center
- Provided monetary compensation to cover room and board.
- Treasured memories and relationships to last a lifetime.
Player
expectations
- Show respect and consideration toward all family members.
- Take care of their own belongings, laundry, and clean up after themselves.
- Obey household and team rules.
Billet families are compensated with a $400/month stipend per player. This stipend is to assist with purchasing the players food and living expenses. Our goal is to find billet families who serve as role models and extended family to these players. The efforts of a billet family make a significant difference in the lives of the young men who have left their homes and families to pursue hockey. It is known that players show dramatic changes in their confidence level, grade point averages, social graces, behavior, work ethic, relationship to others, and so much more. The benefit derived from placing players with billet families is truly immeasurable.
Thank you for your interest in joining our Decatur Blaze family!
If you are interested in becoming a billet fill out our google form
Words from our Billet Families
“Housing a junior hockey player is a rewarding experience that’s impossible to put into words, but I’ll try. These boys, they quickly become a part of your family, ‘big brother’ to your children. I’ve housed Blaze players the past two years.
“Each one of these amazing young men has taught my children crucial life-long lessons, taken part in their sports practices, went to their plays, and have just been there for my kids serving as positive role models. “They come back and visit when they age out, some spend summers with us, and continue to be a treasured part of our family.”
“Each one of these amazing young men has taught my children crucial life-long lessons, taken part in their sports practices, went to their plays, and have just been there for my kids serving as positive role models. “They come back and visit when they age out, some spend summers with us, and continue to be a treasured part of our family.”
- - Host Family
The Duzan Family – Last year, the Duzan family joined the Blaze family and immediately fell for their three players, Austin Floyd, Christian Babona and Dan Stasso. Michelle and Darin also hosted the entire team for dinners, a Super Bowl party and provided the team with cookies at home games. Michelle is now lovingly known as Momma Michelle and can’t wait for another great season with the BLAZE!
The Haubners – Tanya and Brian Haubner have been part of the Blaze family for three years now, hosting goalies Jake Zastrow and Cooper Smith along with one of our Russian players, Artem Alekhin. Tanya now is a bigger part of the Blaze family working to secure business sponsors as well as recently taking on the role of billet coordinator. She and Brian can’t wait for another great Blaze season!
The Randall Family – Kotomi and her son Alex joined the Blaze family for the first time this past season as Alex joined the team. They moved here from San Diego to follow his dream and at the same time, opened their home to goalie Everett Bailey. Being both a mom to her own player and to all the other boys makes Kotomi a superstar and we are so glad to have them back this season!
The Long Family – Shel and her son Matthew have been a LONGTIME billet family. Matthew has grown up with the support of all his Blaze brothers showing him the hockey ropes and helping him with his moves. We thank them so much for always opening your home to so many players over the years and for those amazing taco nights they boys are always raving about!
The Spain Family – As a first-time billet family, the Spain’s opened their home and their hearts to defenseman Jacob Gerber this past season. Always supportive and attending as many games as possible, they are now Blaze fans and family forever!
Mary Tozer – Mary has spent the last six-plus years as the billet coordinator for our Blaze family. Always making sure the boys were well taken care of plus taking on players of her own and even housing assistant coach Alec Hernandez. Her son Ky has always had great role models in all of her players and she loves that so many of them keep in contact with her over the years and come and visit. Mary is taking a well-deserved break this year from her duties as coordinator but not as a hockey mom and we can’t wait!
We want to thank all of our billet families over the years and encourage you to open your hearts and homes to these amazing young men.
become part of our Blaze family TODAY!
For more information, please contact Tanya Haubner at tanya.haubner@gmail.com or call (217) 413-0990