WS Chronicle

Photo by Timothy Ramsey

BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY 

THE CHRONICLE

The Youth Character Football League (YCFL) based out of Union Baptist Church in Winston-Salem just wrapped up another successful season on and off the field.

Last Saturday, Dec. 17, the YCFL held its seventh annual season celebration banquet at the Carl H. Russell Sr. Community Center.

The YCFL believes in the balance between academics and athletics and strongly emphasizes its mission to place winning a game second to the total growth and development of a child.  All YCFL participants are required to attend the huddle sessions on character, academics, leadership and sportsmanship.

Senior pastor of Union Baptist, Bishop Sir Walter L. Mack II, said the fundamental purpose of the YCFL is to provide youth a positive educational, character and athletic experience while addressing the issue of childhood obesity, gang violence prevention, personality and esteem development and healthy social enhancement skills.

The banquet was a celebration for the players, coaches and parents. Winston-Salem natives Rodney McCoy and Chris Brown were the guest speakers for the event.  All of the kids who participated with the football league along with the cheerleaders received a trophy for their participation. Academic awards were also distributed to the children who excelled in the classroom as well.

YCFL Director Tom Brown says his philosophy at the end of a long and grueling season is to reward the parents, kids and coaches for their tire-less effort.  He says this is part of the reason that the program stays strong and continues to grow each year.

“The absolute joy for me is when I give out the academic awards,” said Brown.  “I truly believe that athletes should be students first and athletes second. If we can instill that at a young age, we hope that it will continue as they progress through high school and college.”

Brown said he loves the YCFL because of the differences their league has in comparison to a Pop Warner League.  He says their league is a “character building organization” that promotes academics and that the kids be great citizens in their community as well.

Brown went on to say, “We promote good sportsmanship and there is no favoritism in our football league.  Parents can also be assured that their kids will play each and every game. When you come to play for YCFL the most important thing is your child will have fun and be under the leadership of Bishop Sir Walter Mack, and that speaks volumes.”

Brown says he would love to expand the program by adding more children along with adding an after-school tutoring program that allows children to have assistance in the classes where they are having academic issues.

He said 47 of the 75 students in the YCFL received academic awards this year.

The YCFL had two of their teams play for the championship this season in the Central Carolina Youth Football league, the 6 & under and 12 & under teams.

Although neither team won the title it was a accomplishment to even make it there, Brown said.