Written by Michael Broderick

Oct. 8, 2014:  This year's Bronxville fifth and sixth grade tackle football program is off to a tremendous start. Over 50 boys registered and are participating on two teams--Bronxville Blue and Bronxville Grey.

Now in its seventh season, Bronxville Youth Football was founded by Jim Purdy, Bob McCann, and Brooks Klimley. The three dads coached for five straight seasons, along with many other volunteers, before handing the reins over to the current leaders, John Dillon, Marc Pagano, and Bill Knox.

In the first year, according to Jim Purdy, 35 kids enrolled, which was at the time the league maximum, and therefore no boys were turned away. In the next three years, the program grew to such an extent that Jim and team instituted a lottery, which, as one can imagine, caused some disappointment because all the boys who were left off the team were dying to play. The officers of Bronxville 5/6 tackle then petitioned the league (Westchester Youth Football League (WYFBL)) to allow Bronxville to enter two teams going forward, and the league agreed.

Jim reminisced that back in 2008, many of the coaches were working for Merrill Lynch, Bear Stearns, or Lehman Brothers, and as the world seemed to be crashing down around them, they remained focused on running a successful program for the kids rather than worrying about being displaced or losing their jobs. Coaching football was and still is a great outlet for the dads who volunteer their time to coach and mentor.

Today, Bronxville 5/6 tackle is part of USA Football. USA Football, in partnership with the NFL, has developed a training methodology that is called "heads up" football. With all the emphasis on and awareness of head injuries, each of our current coaches completed an online certification course. The course focuses mainly on the techniques to create the safest environment possible for our players. Its website is www.usafootball.com.

Interestingly enough, the coaches from the Bronxville School's modified, JV, and varsity programs periodically observe the 5/6 teams and will help with footwork, a proper three-point stand, and other fundamentals. We have received feedback from them that the boys who participate in our 5/6 program show up for the next level possessing a good concept of what to do on a football field, which we are told by the upper grade coaches is a huge plus.

Our next home games are on October 18 (a double header, first game at 9:00 am), with our Blue team facing off against the Cortlandt Cowboys and our Grey team playing perennial league powerhouse Pleasantville.

If there are any current fourth and fifth grade boys who didn't sign up this year (players must live in the Village of Bronxville) and who might want to play next season, come on down to Chambers Field and see our Broncos in action.

Pictured here: Some fifth and sixth grade football players in a scrimmage.

Photo by Blair Faulstich