Windham Youth Football and Cheerleading

1957 TO PRESENT

THE BEGINNING

In September of 1957 a group of community oriented individuals, William "Bill" Anthony, Charles Francis, George Williams, Dick Nassiff, Roger Therrien, George Mallon sat down together to form the Willimantic Midget Football League. The first meetings were held in the offices of the Social Security office on the corner of Valley and North Streets. The original "permission slip" appeared in the Willimantic Daily Chronicle as it was called then and the registration was held in the State Armory Drill Shed on Pleasant Street.

The first teams would be part of the "Pop Warner Conference" and boys ages 10 through 12 and 70 lbs to 110 lbs would be eligible. Surprisingly 80 boys did sign up for what would be two teams of 25 players each. So they decided to hold a "try-out camp" the following Saturday to place all 80 players on one of the two teams with the league to pare down the teams to 25 each. The two teams would be known as the HORNETS and the HURRICANES. These two teams played their first game at Recreation Park on Sunday, October 20, 1957 and played to a 7-7 tie.

WE GET BIGGER

1958, in steps the likes of Francis Geissler, Joe Pernaselli, Paul Walencewicz and this season, two more teams were added for the amount of players that had signed up the previous year and had to be cut. The additional teams would be called the YELLOW JACKETS and the TORNADO'S. The league continued to enjoy one successful season after another, and managed to create a " FRIENDSHIP BOWL" with Bristol Pa. which this game would be played one year in Willimantic, Ct. and the next in Bristol, Pa. The players would arrive the day before the game and stay at the homes of their opponents. Quarterbacks would stay at the quarterbacks' house etc. Parades would be held the day of the game and to have upwards of 500-1000 spectators would be expected. Then, around 1970, the league added cheerleading squads to the program.

The four teams grew and in the 70's, each team would have an "A" and "B" squads within their team and each would play a specified amount of time in each quarter. After a few years, the "A" and "B" squads started having their own games with the "B" squad playing at Recreation Park on Friday nights and the "A" squad playing their games on the HIGH SCHOOL'S FIELD ( GUILD FIELD ) on Sundays starting at noon. The ages changed to add 13 year old and the weights changed from a max of 110 lbs to a max of 125 lbs.

During the late 70's and early 1980's the league managed to maintain their numbers, but did not grow as it had in the past. In 1986, Dan Haggerty, League President created a flag football division for children ages six through 9. This started an entire new style of football in the area. It quickly grew from two teams to four, from playing on a 50-yard field to a 100-yard field, from just T-Shirts and mouthpieces to a fully equipped league, so much so that starting in the 2000 season this group is now playing tackle (as much as a 7 year old can tackle). Also during this period, Dan changed the older group to include 14 year old and the weight factor grew to 145 lbs.

In 1998, the league became part of the Southern New England Youth Football Conference, and two traveling teams  were created, one for 11 to 13 year old, 90 lbs to 120 lbs and another for the 12 to 14 year old and up to 170 lbs. In 1999, the Columbia Panthers were added to the league, this Micro Division team and its future growth will help to attract interest in football in the area. In the year 2000, The Pee Wee division gained a team from the Columbia area and is called the Sport Section Cougars. The league, in the 2000 season, had five teams competing in the younger level, which now goes by the name of the Internal Division, three teams competing in the Micro, Junior, and Senior Travel Division and 6 Squads of cheerleaders. The 2000 season saw 21 board members and a total adult volunteer base of 75 (more adults now than the original player count) guide the league and their inspirations to help make the league grow even larger to better serve the youth of the area.

In 1990, under Dan Haggerty's direction, the League built a Concession building with rest rooms and a first-aid station. The 2003 season saw this facility change into a 94 foot long Field House with an equipment room, First-Aid Station, Concession area will increase to double its original size, Restrooms, and a 24-foot Pavilion. In addition, a second floor will be built above the original section to house the announcer's booth. As the pictures and rosters in the team section will show, the league now serves approx. 325 young people through the great sport of football!

WE CHANGE OUR NAME

In January 2007 the Willimantic Midget Football organization officially changed its name to Windham Youth Football and Cheerleading, Inc. (WYFC) to represent a wider community and recognize the cheerleading which is an equally as important component to our organization. The logo was also changed to show our programs, town history and heritage.  Mr. Jay Glidden conceived of the concept for the new logo.

THE 50^TH YEAR AND BEYOND

In August 2007 a new scoreboard with LED lights was installed.  The Willimantic Rotary Club was the major contributor for this scoreboard and their name will always be on this scoreboard. New internal team uniforms for the four 6-10 year old teams were unveiled. The team names reverted back to the days of old Red Hurricanes, Green Hornets, Blue Tornadoes, and Yellow Jackets. A new public address system was also used during our opening day ceremonies on Saturday September 8th.

On Friday September 7, 2007 at the Willimantic Elks club a semi formal dinner dance was held to honor all associated with the program. special guests were Richard Nassiff an original founder of the league who told of the many other at the time they started and the struggles to start a new organization and with equipment geared for only adults at the time.  Dan Haggerty who spent 26 years as a volunteer in all capacities was also present capturing the moments in the middle span of our history. On Saturday September 8th at the opening day ceremonies the field house was named "Dan Haggerty Field House" and a plaque placed on the building.

The 2008 season was by far the most successful season for the three travel level football teams.  All three teams had winning records in the SNYFC conference which was a first. The Junior level team was the only one that made it into the playoffs. The "new" system which mirrors the Windham High School football team was in its thirds full year of implementation and the coaches were more comfortable with the program.

William "Bill" Anthony died in the spring of 2009 at the age of 95.  His legacy will continue.  Tammy Grogan had stepped down at the end of the 2008 season after 15 years plus of dedicated and loyal service to our organization.

THE HONOREES WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED

In 1985, the Willimantic Midget Football League established a policy of honoring those individuals who had made a significant contribution to insure the success of the program.  Most honorees have spent over 10 years working with the youth of the community as a volunteer in this league. The honorees are:

1985

William Anthony, George Mallon, Charlie Francis, George Williams,

Richard Nassiff and Roger Therrien

 1986

Norman Licata, John Holman, Paul Walencewicz, Francis Geissler,

Nancy Holman and Joseph Pernaselli

 1987

John Kinch, John Warinsky, Chuck Deveny,

Vallerrie Kinch, Olive Warinsky and Laura Deveny

 1988

Ken Dootsen, Nelson Field, Bill Kelly,

Rick King, Bill Lennon and Chuck Lester

 1989

Dan Chace, John Green and Dave Shepaum

 1990

Dan Haggerty, Linda Haggerty, Tony Kasacek

and Mary Ellen Hovey

 1991

Robert Jenco and Nelisa Field

 1993

Paul Generous, George Gillette,

Mike Haggerty and Ray Labbe

 1994

Tomas Amill and Karen Amill

 1995

James Beeler, Lynn Duval and Joe Duval

 1997

Richard Brunell, Candy Haggett, Hiram Haggett

and Virginia Velazquez

 1998

George Burski, Richard Daigle

and Michael Sypher

 2000

George Buch and Steve Donovan 

 2002

C.J. Harper and Mark Labbe

 2004

Tammy-Lynn Grogan and Edy Torres

 2006

Anthony Torres

2007

Kristina Locke and Roy Ricks 

2008

Paul 'PJ' Johnson

2010

Kirk Jenkins

FAMILY OF THE YEAR

 2006

Steve & Tracy Lambert

 2007

Ray & Tracy Kandolin

 2008

Jesse & Sarah Duponte

2009

Jeff & Melanie Habakangas

2010

Jay & Milane Glidden