Young Tiger Football and Cheerleading excited to announce the 20th Anniversary of the dedication of Fribley Field, in honor of Marine Lance Corporal David K. Fribley, who was killed in active duty in Iraq in 2003.  Fribley Field is located at 700 E. Market St. in Warsaw, IN.  The event will take place on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 11:00 am EST.  
David Fribley was the first person from our small midwest town to be killed in the Iraqi War. David was born and raised in Atwood, IN. Before moving away for college, David played football and ran track for Warsaw Community Schools. After college, David lived in Florida using his degree from Indiana State to organize activities for retirees. After the September 11 Terrorist Attacks, David decided to join the U.S. Marine Corps. While he loved his job, he knew there was more he could do. On March 23, 2003, David and nine other Marines were gunned down by a group of terrorists that pretended to surrender and then opened fire. He was 26 at the time. After his untimely death, Fribley Field was dedicated and became the new home for Young Tiger Football, on October 4, 2004.
When the terrorist attacks of 9/11 rocked this country, Young Tiger Football was but a hope and a dream. They started with nothing. No equipment, no field, nothing. “We literally just went around and asked people for money. Once people heard what we were trying to do, they were excited to help! Next thing you know, 2 years after the first team with 14 kids, we are having a field built and our community behind us! We just wanted to help our football program, in our small town, be the best it could be. It just made sense to start from the bottom and work your way up with cooperation and collaboration by all the programs in town. Now of course, trying to do something like that had its bumps and bruises along the way, but working with Coach Curtis and his staff at WCHS for the last 6 years has been a dream. Warsaw Football, from our 8U Rookie Tackle to our Varsity Team, we are doing it right!”, says Coach McCool. "I never would have believed that we would be where we are today. 8+ Football Teams, 4 Cheer Squads, and I can’t even count the number of volunteer coaches, EMTs, small business, and of course parents and families…it’s unreal! We are so grateful to every person out there (and the list is quite literally too long to write) who made this amazing organization what it is today!”
This coming season marks 20 years since that first dedication. Young Tigers have become a staple in our community. It will be an honor to remember this great man, look back on the years of dedication the boards of directors have shown, and the impact this organization has had on our small community. Warsaw Community High School Football and Cheerleading will help us celebrate and be involved in the festivities that day. Young Tiger Football and Cheerleading is planning for a wide range of military involvement during the event, including presentation of the colors up to a possible fly over. They also plan to honor David’s Family and a few other vital donors, sponsors and friends of Young Tiger Football and Cheerleading. The public is welcome and invited to join in the celebration. A scrimmage including YTF, both Warsaw Middle Schools and WCHS will take place at the Tiger Athletic Complex, later that day! Times and details are TBA. Mark your calendars and be sure to head out to the field on Saturday, August 17!