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Volney Rogers Youth Association rallies for new helmets
YOUNGSTOWN
Though the official start to football season is still a few weeks away, more than 1,000 fans of youth football from throughout the city descended on Judge William Rayen Stadium on the North Side on Wednesday night to help raise funds for the Volney Rogers Youth Association to purchase new football helmets.
Youth teams from seven city schools were represented at the event, which featured a kick, punt and pass clinic for the gathered students.
Alongside the on-field events for the students, the rally featured a scrimmage between the Akron-Fire-stone Falcons and the East High Golden Bears – their first on-field appearance since the team’s name was changed.
The VRYA engages students between the age of 6 and 13 with athletic opportunities and character building programs and operates as a nonprofit organization.
Upon learning of the VRYA’s need for new helmets, a number of local organizations and supporters joined forces to help the organization purchase the new equipment.
The Colony; Community Initiative to Reduce Violence Youngstown; The Redzone; City Kids Care; Councilman Julius Oliver, D-1st; and DJ Chip Banks partnered with the goal of raising enough money to purchase 400 helmets.
A single new helmet costs just under $100. Organizational leaders – such as Keland Logan of The Colony and Maurice Clarett of The Redzone – grilled hot dogs for the students as they waited to try on a variety of Schutt football helmets on display at a nearby table.
The rally’s organizers issued a call to action to all former football players in the city: Come down to the stadium and help buy a helmet.
Dick Angle, a former Ursuline High School football coach, reached out to former players and teammates and they collectively raised about $1,000, enough for 10 helmets.
Simon Arias, an Ursuline High School graduate and a former VRYA participant, donated funds for 20 helmets. Randy Nuby, president of the Volney Rogers Youth Football Association, said turnout at the event was “outstanding,” and praised the parents and football alumni for their dedication to the organization.
“We’re all out here to empower these kids and give them a pipeline to stay in the city, both to play football and to be good citizens,” Nuby said. “These kids are going to make a buzz this year.”
Those interested in donating to the organization can find more information by emailing volneyrogers@live.com.