Pee Wee Football Celebrates 20th Anniversary
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
After 20 years, three presidents, thousands of kids and a countless number of volunteer coaches and assistants, the Kosciusko County Pee Wee Football League is still going strong. The prevailing motto is simply fun and fundamentals.
In 1984, a handful of local residents weary from taking their kids to Plymouth to play football decided it was time for Warsaw to have a league of it's own. Jim Breading, the league's first president, along with several others in the community, including Gary Fribley, the father of the late David Fribley, got things off the ground.
This year more than 300 boys and girls will participate in the league. Over the past six years, participation from girls has spiked. The league's aim isn't to find the next Brett Favre or Emmitt Smith. Besides fun and fundamentals, it's also a way to provide role models to kids who may be lacking one.
"For some of these kids, the coaches and assistants are the only role models they have," said Tim Taylor, the current president. "It's awesome when a parent tells me how much growing up their son or daughter has done over the season."
Some of the former and current coaches include Sid Phillips, who is currently with the Kosciusko County Mustangs; Randy Reneker, the current vice president on the league's board; Keith Reinholt, Kurt Wyman; and Tracy Furnivall.
However, the number of coaches, parents and assistants who have donated time and money are too many to name. For many, it's easy to donate because of what the league stands for.
"All in all it's a teaching league," said Taylor.
The league is split into an American and a National League. The American League is for children from ages 8-10, while the National League goes from 10-12. There are 18 teams and all games are played at Lakeview Middle School's Fisher Field.
That is something that is appreciated, but the powers-that-be would like to see changed.
"I think I'd like to see it be enough to where we could do all of it ourselves with our own field and a place to store our own equipment," said Taylor.
Every season ends with the "Classic," where all the sixth-graders who will be moving on from the league play at Fisher Field under the lights. For some it will be a taste of what to expect on Friday nights while wearing a Warsaw Tiger uniform. For many it will be the last time they'll ever put on pads.
The goal of Pee Wee is for the kids to leave with an experience they'll never forget.
"I run into kids today and they tell me it was one of the greatest experiences they've had," said John Miller, who served as president after Breading. "And now these kids are coming back to help. That's great."
Darlene Eherenman, board member and EMS coordinator for the league, knows how the league has kids coming back.
"My son has a 2-year-old and he's already saying that he can't wait to have him involved and volunteer," she said.
Due to the altruism of many, costs have been defrayed to make things as affordable as possible for parents. In cases where a family can't afford to pay for their child's fees, a scholarship is used.
"We've never turned anyone away," said Taylor. "We'll get someone to sponsor a kid who doesn't have the funds."
The registration fee for a child is $35 dollars. The fee is used to help pay for referees and to have an EMT on hand at all times. And besides learning the game of football, all kids receive T-shirts. This year's participants will also receive free footballs. According to Taylor an anonymous donor gave the league 1,000 footballs.
For those interested in sponsoring a team the cost is $400 dollars. The Mustangs are sponsoring a team this year.
Tomorrow as our nation remembers the tragic events that took place three years ago, the league opens up the season with its annual jamboree. [[In-content Ad]]
After 20 years, three presidents, thousands of kids and a countless number of volunteer coaches and assistants, the Kosciusko County Pee Wee Football League is still going strong. The prevailing motto is simply fun and fundamentals.
In 1984, a handful of local residents weary from taking their kids to Plymouth to play football decided it was time for Warsaw to have a league of it's own. Jim Breading, the league's first president, along with several others in the community, including Gary Fribley, the father of the late David Fribley, got things off the ground.
This year more than 300 boys and girls will participate in the league. Over the past six years, participation from girls has spiked. The league's aim isn't to find the next Brett Favre or Emmitt Smith. Besides fun and fundamentals, it's also a way to provide role models to kids who may be lacking one.
"For some of these kids, the coaches and assistants are the only role models they have," said Tim Taylor, the current president. "It's awesome when a parent tells me how much growing up their son or daughter has done over the season."
Some of the former and current coaches include Sid Phillips, who is currently with the Kosciusko County Mustangs; Randy Reneker, the current vice president on the league's board; Keith Reinholt, Kurt Wyman; and Tracy Furnivall.
However, the number of coaches, parents and assistants who have donated time and money are too many to name. For many, it's easy to donate because of what the league stands for.
"All in all it's a teaching league," said Taylor.
The league is split into an American and a National League. The American League is for children from ages 8-10, while the National League goes from 10-12. There are 18 teams and all games are played at Lakeview Middle School's Fisher Field.
That is something that is appreciated, but the powers-that-be would like to see changed.
"I think I'd like to see it be enough to where we could do all of it ourselves with our own field and a place to store our own equipment," said Taylor.
Every season ends with the "Classic," where all the sixth-graders who will be moving on from the league play at Fisher Field under the lights. For some it will be a taste of what to expect on Friday nights while wearing a Warsaw Tiger uniform. For many it will be the last time they'll ever put on pads.
The goal of Pee Wee is for the kids to leave with an experience they'll never forget.
"I run into kids today and they tell me it was one of the greatest experiences they've had," said John Miller, who served as president after Breading. "And now these kids are coming back to help. That's great."
Darlene Eherenman, board member and EMS coordinator for the league, knows how the league has kids coming back.
"My son has a 2-year-old and he's already saying that he can't wait to have him involved and volunteer," she said.
Due to the altruism of many, costs have been defrayed to make things as affordable as possible for parents. In cases where a family can't afford to pay for their child's fees, a scholarship is used.
"We've never turned anyone away," said Taylor. "We'll get someone to sponsor a kid who doesn't have the funds."
The registration fee for a child is $35 dollars. The fee is used to help pay for referees and to have an EMT on hand at all times. And besides learning the game of football, all kids receive T-shirts. This year's participants will also receive free footballs. According to Taylor an anonymous donor gave the league 1,000 footballs.
For those interested in sponsoring a team the cost is $400 dollars. The Mustangs are sponsoring a team this year.
Tomorrow as our nation remembers the tragic events that took place three years ago, the league opens up the season with its annual jamboree. [[In-content Ad]]