BOARDMAN LITTLE SPARTANS Parents discuss porn charges

Bloyer will be banned from all events associated with the football program.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- Charges of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor have been filed against a township man. Concerned parents met Tuesday night to discuss the situation.
Jon Scott Bloyer, 43, of Sigle Lane has been charged in Mahoning County area court here with seven counts of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor.
He is also charged in Girard with five counts of pandering obscene material involving juveniles in sexually explicit positions. Police said they found pictures and other items in Bloyer's home.
Boardman police said Bloyer told officers at the time of his arrest that he spent time attending Boardman youth sporting events.
Eight years ago, he was a football coach for the Boardman Little Spartans, and for the last two years, was a volunteer announcer for the program's public address system.
Tuesday night, several dozen parents of children involved with the football organization and other concerned citizens met behind Center Middle School to discuss Bloyer's involvement with the program. Most stood silently, occasionally shaking their heads, as Little Spartans president Dave Matz recapped the events since Bloyer's arrest.
Matz made it clear to parents there that Bloyer, who had no criminal background, had no contact with the kids while announcing the games. The program, however, will be implementing new background check procedures, Matz said.
What's being done
Matz told the parents that anyone affiliated with the program in any way will be required to fill out an application, show a driver's license and undergo a background check. He said a list of eligible individuals will be posted near the practice fields.
According to Matz, a blown-up photo of Bloyer will also be posted on a trailer near the practice fields so parents know what he looks like. Matz said Bloyer will be issued a restraining order by Monday instructing him to stay away from all games, practices and Little Spartans events.
Matz said parents have been on edge in light of the charges against Bloyer, but no one has pulled children out of the football program. Many said that other than the background checks, a change in procedure is not necessary because many precautions are taken to protect the children.
Parent Michelle Gardner said the football program works as a large group that watches out for every child involved with the organization. She said she had never met Bloyer.
Parent and cheerleading adviser Paula Maiorana said no child is ever left alone.
"I have the 6-, 7- and 8-year-old cheerleaders, and from day one, these kids do not leave our side. If they have to go to the restroom, we walk them," she said.
Despite the recent happenings, Joe Marian, athletics director, said the program will forge forward.
"Life goes on and will go on. Our organization is growing. We will get past this," he said.
jgoodwin@vindy.com