Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The Young Tigers organizers find themselves about seven yards short of a 2004 season at Fribley Field.
Named after late Marine Lance Cpl. David Fribley, the football field at Richardson-Dubois Park could see play this year if sod is laid in the next two weeks, according to YT Commissioner Allan Ross.
"We're $3,000 short of the sod price and need about $4,000 for field equipment, like pads for the goal posts and field equipment," he said this morning.
The sod has to be ordered Thursday to be ready for September games. Otherwise the field will be planted with grass seed. Grass needs a year to mature before supporting play.
The group began developing the field last year. Donations for fill dirt and grading, a sprinkler system, scoreboard, press box and bleachers are in evidence at the Market Street park. Goal posts are in storage. Cement slabs for signage are in place.
One foundation is intended to support an 8-foot-tall marble monument to Fribley, who excelled on the football and track teams at Warsaw Community High School. He was the first Hoosier casualty killed in action March 23, 2003, during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
"We teach basic fundamentals of football," Ross said, "preparing the players for middle school football, modeling our high school program."
More than 80 children have been signed up and placed on four teams: two for 8- to 10-year-olds and two for 11- to 12-year-olds. Costs are $55 per player. The season begins in mid-September and runs through October.
Young Tiger Football joined the Marshall County Junior Football League three years ago. Teams travel to seven other communities: Bremen, Culver, LaVille, Plymouth, Tippecanoe Valley, Triton and Walkerton. Parents provide transportation.
Practices are held in Dewamac Park.
Tax-deductible donations may be sent to Mutual Federal, in care of David Fribley Field, 2034 E. Center St., Warsaw IN 46580.
Board members include assistant commissioner Dave McCool, field director Mark Stamper, treasurer Travis Miller, secretary Rick Jackson, Jackie Jagger, Kim Sipple, Carl Sowers, Brian Larrew, Marie Larrew, Larry Plummer, Bimbo Atkins, Mita Denten, Tim Conrad, Brian Elvidge, Greg Smith and Lori Smith.
