Billeting

Wisconsin Lumberjacks Housing Program

The Wisconsin Lumberjacks recruit players who show potential to compete at the college level. These student athletes are recruited from many states as well as Canada and are in need of housing within a reasonable driving distance to the rink. In order for players to take advantage of the opportunity, these players need families willing to share their home, and make it a home away from home for these players.

Housing Family Requirements

♦ Desire to support a player’s dream
♦ Live within a reasonable distance from The Spooner Civic Center
♦ Provide a caring, comfortable, clean, and safe environment
♦ A private bedroom and closet
♦ Nutritious meals

Housing Family Benefits

♦ A monthly housing stipend to help offset cost

♦ A great opportunity to build a lifelong relationship and help a young person realize their dreams

 

What is expected from the Players

♦ They must obey all house and team rules, show respect and consideration towards all family members.

♦ They need to take care of their own belongings, laundry, ironing, dishes, and must clean up after themselves.

 

If you’re interested in becoming a Billet Family, or have any other questions, contact Sophia Pinto at 612.867.7264, or by e-mail at billet@wisconsinlumberjacks.com

Billet Family

Many people would not know the meaning of the word "Billet” unless you are involved with a Junior Hockey program. Billeting is a great way to meet people and to touch a young person’s life.

The importance of billet families to our Program is immeasurable. Part of our commitment to our players and their parents is to help provide them with a good home. Their time with the billet family is a very important time of their lives. They are away from their friends and family (often for the first time) so their billets become their surrogate family. While the billet families receive some monetary compensation, the real rewards are in the lasting relationships that are formed.

When a family volunteers to house a member of the team, they are required to provide room and board for the player. This includes, providing nutritious food that is available for him to prepare or for the billets to prepare for the player. In addition, billets must be able to provide the player with his own room. Billets are expected to treat the players as "One of the family" and not just a renter. The same goes for the player, which includes daily tasks such as cleaning up after themselves. We have team guidelines and policies that the players must abide by within our organization, and we expect our billet families to uphold and enforce these team rules. All billet house rules will need to be communicated to the player when he arrives.

How long is a billet family’s commitment?

This varies depending on the player; some are with the family during the hockey season which operates from September to the end of March. Players still in high-school often stay with their billet family until the school year is over in late May. Throughout the season players try to go home for the weekend as often as the game schedule permits and every player will go home over the holiday breaks. Families receive a monthly billeting payment for each player.

The only thing that is really needed is a willingness to help a player pursue his dream by providing a “Home away from home.”  Your willingness to rise up and help these young athletes achieve their goals and aspirations of one day making the professional ranks will be an everlasting experience. By sharing your home and families, the relationship a billet family will build is immeasurable to the player, organization, and community.

If interested in learning more about being a Billet Family please contact:

Sophia Lein at SLein@wisconsinlumberjacks.com phone: 612.867.7264.

Interested in becoming a billet family?