President's Message
Three Cheers for Volunteers
8/19/01
Dear AYF Participants,
I have a friend, Tony Cimaligo. At 5:00 am daily, Tony stops on his way to work to separate the cans, bottles, and papers collected by his youth football team. It's tedious, but the team needs the recycling money for new equipment. It takes a lot of cans, bottles, and paper to buy a pair of shoulder pads.
After work, Tony takes a few fast bites of the extra sandwich his wife packed in his lunch bucket. He plans the practice schedule, while driving t o the park. Tony will close with these words; "Practice tomorrow at 6:30 (have a good work ethic!) give an honest effort (have courage! ) Play for each other (know about teamwork!)". Try as they may, no school classroom has succeeded in teaching courage, confidence, and teamwork.
He's the kind of youth coach that drops to one knee, (so he can look into his little player's eyes) as he explains the art of blocking or tackling. Tony gives a special award for players who do well in school. He calls them his "A Team".
He voted "yes" to increase community taxes, for building a new stadium to insure the return of his beloved Cleveland Browns. He drives a Ford because they advertise the NFL Telecasts. The recent poll of football fans had 87% actual participants in the sport of football mostly in the youth level. Yes, youth level, where the great American sport takes root.
So it appears the cars, shoes, and beverage football fans consume does in fact drive the amount of TV Revenue; which in turn, drives the business side of football. The vast number of participants in youth football, ultimately equates to the future fan interest level. These millions, will consume the products and remain loyal to the sport.
Why is youth football with its overwhelming number of participants the least understood level? Maybe, volunteers are too busy to self-promote. There is nothing sensational about the long hours, driving kids to and from practice, selling hot dogs, doing the teams laundry. Millions in truth drive a sport that credits only a few dozen high achievers. We want to hear about the other Tony's. Write us so we can tell your story. AYF is dedicated to weave the story of the glory of volunteers. "The truth is out there."
Your President
Joe Galat
| 
The Largest Youth Football & Cheer Organization in the
Country
