The Largest Youth Football & Cheer Organization in the Country

Long list of accomplishments lands Dini in AYF Hall

By Mike Scandura
Special to AmericanYouthFootball.com

Jerry Dini has been involved in youth sports for 35 years.

He's been president of Tucson Youth Football from 1986-88 and 1994-present.

His list of honors and accomplishments is long as, well, a football field. Most recently, he was one of four men nominated for induction into the American Youth Football Hall of Fame.

And at 62 years of age, this long-time U.S. Government Department of Commerce employee would be justified in exiting youth football and, as the saying goes, taking time to smell the roses.

Wrong. Asking Dini to do so is like asking New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick to do stand-up comedy during a Super Bowl halftime show.

Neither is going to happen.

"First of all I love youth sports and youth football in particular," said Dini, who in 2003 led a movement that saw Tucson change affiliations to AYF. "I love its passion … it's a unique sport, and it makes me feel younger.

"Given my health and schedule, I've never really thought of quitting. And I haven't been asked," Dini said with a chuckle. "Nobody wants the job."

Dini's first job involving youth football was in 1975, as a parent volunteer in Tucson . Since, he's built an impressive resume:

• He's received the Adams USA Lifetime Achievement Award.
• Under Dini's leadership, Tucson obtained its own IRS letter of determination and has achieved financial stability beyond its wildest dreams. According to Dini, Tucson has "over $125,000 in the bank, we are fiscally independent and we have the toughest fiscal policy in effect of any youth organization in the country. This includes annual CPA certified audits." In 1992, he took over a bankrupt association, paid off all debts and purchased new uniforms and equipment.
• Dini's efforts led to the establishment of a permanently endowed local scholarship fund.
• In 1993, Tucson Youth Football included approximately 800 players and 300 cheerleaders. In 2003, the number of players soared to 2,100 with a commensurate increase in the number of cheerleaders (to 900). If everything goes as planned, Dini expects to enroll 3,700 participants next fall.
• In 1987, he implemented mandatory clinics for head and assistant coaches. But instead of focusing on Xs and Os, the clinics' theme is risk management, injury prevention, first aid and the psychology of coaching youth.
• At his urging, in 2003 Tucson implemented mandatory coach fingerprinting and background checks.
• Dini's vision led to the introduction of a summer passing league plus in-season play at Division I and II levels.

"What gives me the most satisfaction is how we've evolved as a group," said Dini. "We're a very progressive group. We've tried to do things and we have the best people in the world. That's why we're able to put on large events. That's why we're going to host the 2005 AYF Championships.

"It will be interesting, but we'll be up to it."

When Dini says his organization will "be up to it," he's talking about a very broad time frame.

"The biggest hurdle we have is for people in our association to understand this is a 12-month program but it only operates for four months," he said. "That's a very difficult situation. Then, we had to have people understand this is a business as well and we must be fiscally sound so we can provide programs for the kids.

"I'm in it for the kids. The pain in all youth sports is the adults. Our job is to provide (youngsters) with every opportunity to blossom and grow. I think youth football provides the proper forum for them."

When youth football debuted in Tucson in 1969, it was on an independent basis. It remained independent for 17 years until it joined a formal organization and then switched to AYF. Because of its stability, Tucson Youth Football is in position to give rather than just receive.

"We became involved with the Nike Global Shoe Program and last year were able to provide shoes for eight of our high schools," said Dini, who played at Yarington ( Nevada ) High. "They've never had this before, but we're all about giving back and all about kids.

"We continually strive to make it a positive experience for kids. Football's been the kingpin sport in America for some people, and it's on the rise here in Arizona ."

Due in large part to the contributions of Jerry Dini.