The Largest Youth Football & Cheer Organization in the Country

Mountaineer Youth Football a model program

By Mike Scandura, Special to AmericanYouthFootball.com

Freedom of choice.

As much as anything, that's what led the Mountaineer Youth Football Conference from West Virginia to join the semi-fledgling American Youth Football program in 1997, the year after it was established.

"We were in (another) organization at that time and our president and board of directors wanted to change weights," recalls Randy Workman, who's in his second term as the MYF president. "We wanted to move from a 95-pound limit for Pee Wees up to 105 pounds and we wanted to go from 125 pounds to 135 pounds for Midgets. We felt that was a better fit for the kids in our area."

Workman didn't like the answer he got.

"We had to remain under their strict weight limits and guidelines," he said. "As I look back on it now, it affected 10 percent of our children ... about 100 kids."

There's more. MYF also wanted to change age guidelines. MYF wanted a Pee Wee program for kids who were 8, 9 and 10. And MYF also wanted to change Midget ages - to encompass kids who were 11, 12 and 13 (the 13s would have a 115-pound weight limit).

"American Youth Football had the type of arrangement where we could see it was a better fit for what we were trying to accomplish, so (the board of directors) voted to join," says Workman, whose program draws children and adults from Harrison, Upshur, Lewis, Barbour, Marion and Tucker counties.

How did the change impact MYF? In 1997, at the time of the move, approximately 900 players and cheerleaders were involved. As the 2002 season gets under way, that number has soared to 1,750 — an increase of nearly 50 percent.

The Dow Jones Average should do so well over a comparable period of time.

"Was (the increase in participation) because we went to American Youth Football?" queries Workman. "It has been a tremendous help because we're able to control our own destiny. My Bridgeport club (Harrison County) alone has over 200 players and cheerleaders involved.

"There's a league in Charleston where their weights are heavier and their ages are different and they're also with AYF. Again, flexibility is the key."

What's also noteworthy is the increase in participation has been accompanied by an increase in adults who want to serve as coaches and cheerleader advisors.

"You'd be surprised ... we haven't had trouble finding coaches at all," says Workman. "A lot of fathers step up and say they want to do it. There's an abundance of volunteers.

"There's even a waiting list to get on the board of directors for these clubs. I believe that the parents of all the children understand the values of this sport because of the people we have running it. We encourage basic participation, fundamentals, safety, sportsmanship and scholarship."

One other basic ingredient has gone into the success of MYF - money. And American Youth Football has played a role in this aspect of the program.

"To run one of these clubs ... to buy uniforms and equipment and maintain the fields, we had to raise $20,000," says Workman. "But parents probably have to spend the least amount of money for their children to participate with us — $125 per child (per season). A good baseball bat, alone, costs $150. We'll suit up your children, and all they have to pay is a registration fee and buy their own shoes - and we'll provide all the equipment for them.

"AYF has given us suggestions regarding what to do for fundraising. But one thing that the AYF does which is a tremendous help is secure grants for our youth leagues. Last year, alone, they gave us roughly $2,000 to distribute to the needier clubs. They get the grants from the NFL, which is a big contributor to youth football around the country."

Workman feels that, even though there's still one hurdle to overcome — name recognition — the future for MYF is bright.

"We've had to tell people 'Hey, we're with American Youth Football.' We've had to work to get that name out and inform people that we operate under different standards," he said.

"(MYF) is going to continue to grow. When I first took office, what I tried to do was grow the league professionally and keep safety first. As long as we continue to do that, this conference will grow."

Story courtesy Red Line Editorial, Inc.