Palmer football coach chosen to attend NFL Youth Summit

PALMER - Rod Christiansen has earned a chance to mingle with some of the top high school football coaches in the country, and a few of the biggest names the professional level has to offer.

The longtime head coach of the Palmer High School football program has been selected to attend the sixth annual Youth Football Summit in Canton, Ohio.

The Summit, slated for Aug. 3-4, is part of a list of events that surround the NFL's Hall of Fame weekend.

Among the speakers at the two-day conference are Paul Tagliabue, the outgoing commissioner of the NFL, and former Cincinnati Bengals star and hall of fame lineman Anthony Munoz.

Christiansen is one of 51 coaches selected. A representative from each state is chosen.

Last year North Pole head coach Buck Nystrom was selected to attend the series of seminars. Christiansen said Nystrom told him it was an opportunity he couldn't refuse.

&#8220He said you definitely have to go. It's a once in a lifetime thing,” Christiansen said. &#8220I'm excited about it.”

The Summit's list of schedule seminars includes topics ranging from training to education about steroid abuse. Gil Brandt, a former personnel chief for the Dallas Cowboys, leads a session on recognizing talent. Munoz' session involves the role of the youth and the high school coach. The Summit also invited physicians to tutor the coaches about steroids and supplements.

On the evening of the second day of the conference, Tagliabue will host a dinner for all of the coaches.

Christiansen is entering his 16th season as head coach of the Moose. He has an 89-46 record, and has led Palmer to three appearances in the state championship game.

Palmer won it all in 1995, and were the runner-up in 1996 and 2005.

Christiansen and the Moose begin the 2006 season, hosting West Anchorage on Aug. 11

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.