There a lots of great stories of involvement with
AYF -- here are two
favorites!
A letter home from Iraq
American Youth Football is proud of our brave
men and women in uniform. One such person is Ray Maternick, who is
returning home this month. Ray started the Northern Virginia Unlimited
Youth Football Association. He recently sent us this note from Iraq:
I started the
NOVA UYFA three years ago because the local youth football
program did not allow the big guys to play. The program has grown
since that initial year and is now institutionalized in Fairfax
County. My goal is to continue improving the program and especially
stressing the "3xA's"..."Academics, Attitude and Athletics, In That
Order." Regarding the league ... you can get more info on the web
site ...
http://www.novafootball.com.
A story of giving back
The 2003 edition of the Halifax Midget team has
achieved many impressive accomplishments this past season including a
perfect regular season record for just the second time ever. Halifax
has outscored its opponents by an impressive 304-30 margin and has
blanked 7 of 11 opponents this season. This season the Cats have
stretched the limits not only on the playing field but once again in
the community.
The Cats once again participated with the
Halifax United Methodist Church in collecting food, blankets and
monetary donations for the homeless. The team slept out in cold boxes
following the game with the Swatara Tigers for their annual Box Night
activities for the homeless. The team also this year provided
additional community service to the area younger youth by doing
several major cleanup projects for the Halifax Midget Baseball program
that will benefit them in the spring season. The Midgets sponsored
their 4th annual Buddy Day program with their younger teams and with
the Halifax Varsity team and sponsored a Drug Awareness program at the
Buddy day activities.
The team's biggest accomplishment, however, came
at the start of the season, when the Midget Football team and
cheerleaders -- through multiple team activities and fund raisers --
raised almost $15,000 in six weeks for an American Youth Football
scholastic exchange program trip to Bar Harbor Maine with the
MDI Hurricanes of Bar
Harbor just after Labor Day. The trip itself can be looked back on as
possibly the catalyst activity that has inspired the Halifax Midgets
to a special and unique team unity that they have carried following
the trip to Maine. Since returning from Maine, the team has formed a
special bond that makes them seem inseparable and determined with
desire in their quest for "the perfect season."
Several Halifax coaches have been with the team
for all eight seasons including Head Coach Dave Bickel, Asst. Head
Coach Jerry Leader, and Line coach Kim Matter. Additionally the
coaching staff also consists of line coach Paul Ilgen (5 years), back
coach Dave Mongold (5 years), coaches assistants Bob Lahr and Dave
Herrold (2 years), receiver coach Jeff Gonsar (1 year). | 
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