The Largest Youth Football & Cheer Organization in the Country

Manny learned many lessons from his father including the responsibility to give back to the community. His father was very active in youth sports and started the Woodlawn Little League in 1970. This was Manny’s inspiration to be involved with youth sports during his adult years. 

Manny’s first volunteer role was as a Teen Advisor Coach for the Pawtucket Crusaders in 1975 while he was a junior in high school. He moved up to an Assistant Coach for the Crusaders in 1976 and remained in that position until 1979. In 1980, Manny became associated with the Woodlawn Cowboys where he served as both General Manager and Head Varsity (Midget) Coach until 1984.

Manny took the next year off to help his wife with their newborn son who is now the Head Coach for the Central Falls Panthers Midget team. Not one to sit still, he founded the Woodlawn Girls Sports Basketball League in 1985 and served as its first President until 1987. Manny’s first passion is football so he left the basketball league to work with the Darlington Braves football and cheerleading organization.

Manny served in various capacities with the Braves during his eight (8) year tenure there, including General Manager, Equipment Manager, Bingo Coordinator, and Head Coach of the Jr. Pee Wee and Jr. Midget football teams. The pinnacle of Manny’s coaching career was in 1992 when he led the Darlington Jr. Midget team to an undefeated (15 – 0) season to win the New England Regional Championship. There was no national championship structure at that time, so winning the New England Regional Championship was the highest level that team could reach.

Manny joined the Providence Daredevils in 1996 for a single season as served as the General Manager and Head Coach for the Pee Wee football team.

In 1997 Manny founded the Central Falls Panthers. He has served as its President since its inception. The Panthers have enjoyed several major accomplishments, including an appearance at the American Youth Cheer National Championships two (2) years ago. Running the Panthers is a difficult task given the demographics of Central Falls (high poverty level, highest non-English speaking population in the state of Rhode Island, large number of single parent households, etc.) and the fact that a very high percentage of participants cannot afford to pay registration fees which are among the lowest in the state. Manny ensures that no child is turned away from the program due to race, national origin, ability to speak English, religious beliefs, or ability to pay registration fees.

In 2007, Manny co-founded the Blackstone Valley Youth Football and Cheerleading Conference and is currently serving as its first President.