Chicagoland American Youth Football From the President’s Desk A s we embark on year four of the Chicagoland AYF Conference let us not forget why we have grown from eleven organizations to twenty six in just four short years. We have grown because of the collective efforts of so many wonderful people, who volunteer their time to make this something special for the boys and girls, and young men and women who will remember these times for the rest of their lives. Y oung minds are easily influenced, and we as adults have a responsibility greater than we may recognize to make certain that these young impressionable minds are cultivated in a way which will set them on the right path as they move towards adulthood. F ootball in our conference is not just about X’s and O’s, mounts and dismounts, winning at all cost or preparing for High School. Our conference is about the experience. Most of these boys and girls will never again be on a football field when they leave our respective programs. That is why it is our job to make sure that while they are putting in the time and effort, it is safe, enjoyable, and educational and will be an experience they can keep with them for the rest of their lives. I would like to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable 2007 season, and would like to say thank you to the many volunteers who make it possible for the 11,000 participants to cheer and play football in the Chicagoland AYF Conference. See Teams/Coaches/ Ages Page for AYF Age and Weight Chart
Chicagoland and the Nation's Largest Youth Football and Cheer Organization
Chicagoland AYF is the largest league in both Chicago and the nation with safer age levels and weight limits, everyone participates, weigh at each game, cheer/dance program, scholarships, national rules and playoffs, all star game, insurance, NFL sponsorship...
About AYF
American Youth Football (AYF) is the largest youth football organization in the U.S. A National Youth Partner of the NFL, AYF provides support services, academic scholarships, grants, "Giving Back" programs and tournaments to more than 500,000 members. AYF is the only youth football program with members in all 50 states and several countries worldwide. AYF is committed to Giving Back and has donated more than $13 million dollars in grants and product to communities that support youth football.
AYF offers all-inclusive football and cheer divisions to every team and league, enabling every child a place to play and Age/Weight and Grade-Based Age Protected Divisions make AYF the most competitive youth football organization in the World.
League website - www.chicagolandayf.com
National - http://americanyouthfootball.com/index.asp
American Youth Football & Cheer
the nations largest youth football and cheer organization
A Message From NFL Hall of Famer, Fox Sports Analyst and American Youth Football Parent and Supporter - Howie Long View Full Version View Abbrev. Version
AYF Ages and Weights - 2009
**Age as of July 31st.
American Youth Football, the nations
largest youth football organization,
congratulates the AYF East and West
participants of the first ever national
youth football All-Star Game. American
Youth Football's inaugural Youth All-Star
game was a part of the U.S. Army
All American Bowl and was played at
the Alamo Dome in San Antonio, Texas. Click here for more pictures.
Uncle Jimmy Taft can see be better than most of us.
Jim Taft looked at me with all those years of experience behind him and said “Joe you must learn to read volunteers, a few of these guys are thinking of only themselves” I was sure he was wrong – look at all the time they had put into their positions directing both the adults and youth.
Even though Jim had lost sight in one eye while blocking a punt as a young Washington Redskin free agent, his insight remained keen. With over 30 years as a commissioner of a national youth football organization, Jim had seen it all. He had that sixth sense of seeing right through the familiar hyperbole of a selfish motive.
“You see nobody knows if they will be a hero in battle. The guy who dives on a grenade to save his unit may be the one who does the least talking. Courage and selflessness are not easily detected until the battle begins”. You must stand for action not words. As they say in “China Talk does not cook rice.” Said the Chairman of the Board.
American Youth Football has finally arrived. AYF has become a target of criticism for holding to their founding principals. Several local organizations became quagmires of political “me first” leadership. Selective communication was the common thread.
Jim are you sure AYF should intervene? I asked. If you don’t you are sending a signal that you condone cowardice back stabbing. Loyalty is a two way street. If the criticism comes at others so easily don’t you know it is damaging to AYF as well. Shortly after that conversation two new AYF Conferences replaced those quagmires.
The time and effort demanded of volunteer leadership should be rewarded with respect and loyalty. The man for which The Taft Trophy is named thinks that both respect and loyality are lost when the leader fails to honestly communicate with his organization. Thinking that “they cannot handle the truth”, does not ring true in youth work. Your members deserve disclosure. Members of your league or conference will understand and support decisions if there is full disclosure. All organizations have a board of directors. That board should be called upon for direction and decisions.
The membership will honor proper reporting. The youth in your organization will be better served and what is more important than that? Take a good look at your league. What would Uncle Jimmy see?
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Homewood/Flossmoor Jr. Vikings
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