Helmet decision threatens kids' football program
Posted: May 15, 2012 9:20 PM by Kay Rossi (
[email protected])
Updated: May 16, 2012 7:34 AM
One day, 11-year-old Kyle Torgerson of Great Falls hopes to play for the Seattle SeaHawks, but for now, he's just happy playing football with his younger brother Levi, and playing with his team in the Boys and Girls Club Football Program.
Since the program started in late 1990's, league participation has steadily increased.
T.J. IronBear, sports director for the club, noted, "Each year we've had almost over 300 kids per year. Last year was our highest enrollment. We had 334 and that's not including Havre."
But the league's upcoming season could be in jeopardy; Ironbear said that due to a decision from the National Athletic Reconditioners Association, "Any helmets that are over 10 years old, can no longer be refurbished."
That decision affects nearly all of the helmets used in the Cascade County Boys and Girls Club League.
Already the Boys and Girls Club has replaced about 70 of the old helmets, but it'll cost about $30,000 to completely replace its equipment with newer, safer models.
IronBear said, "Our hands are out right now, really, not begging but asking. We're going to have a season because we trust the community to help us."
If the club can't reach it's fundraising goal, Ironbear says the league may see drastic cuts to the number of players and even the number of teams.
The club is accepting donations on site during normal business hours and IronBear says there will be plenty of fundraisers coming up that are open to community participation.