The History of Rice Lake Junior Football

The Rice Lake Jr. Football Association got its beginning in 1993 when Dan Hill and Mike

Dollaway had a vision.  They held signups for 7th and 8th grade tackle football that year at

Dan's house and the program was on its way.  With over 100 kids that first night of practice,

they found themselves asking each other if they took on more than they could handle.

Practice that first year was held by the High School Administration building on Augusta

Street.  The following year they moved to the Middle School where they had more room to

conduct practice.  All games were played on Pug Lund Field at the High School.

In 1998, the association borrowed money to build the football field, press box and goal posts

at the Middle School.  The entire construction was done almost entirely by coaches and

volunteers.  When the High School installed new lights and scoreboard, the old ones were

moved to the Middle School field.  In 2009, lighting struck and ruined the scoreboard. 

Coincidently, that was the summer the new sports complex was built at the High School. 

Their old scoreboard was again mover to the Middle School.

The main field as well as the practice field is currently maintained by the Rice Lake Parks

and Rec.  The press box and equipment has remained the responsibility of the association. 

With safety becoming more of a concern each year, the maintenance and renewal of

equipment has been kept a priority.

Flag football for the 5th and 6th graders has been offered for many years.  In 2011, the

association expanded to include 5th and 6th grade in the tackle program.  Equipment

awareness and fundamentals were the reasons for this move.  After three years and many

discussions, it was decide that flag was the best option for athletes of this age.  So, in 2014,

the program went back to flag for the 5th and 6th graders.

In the early 2000's 3rd and 4th grade flag football was added to the program.  For a couple

of hours on Saturdays in September, kids are able to learn some fundamentals about the

game of football and finish the practice with a fun scrimmage.  It has proven to be a fun and

education experience for the kids at that age.

The Rice Lake Jr. Football Association has been sustained through the devotion of

numerous volunteers throughout the years.  Aside from coaching, there are many other

opportunities to help out.  Working in the concession stand, being on the "chain gang",

filming the games or organizing the end of the year banquet are just to name a few.  A

sincere "Thank You" to all that have helped throughout the years.

Our success is not just measured on the field, it is translated to our schools and

communities an these young men become adults.  After seeing how our program impacts

the growth and development of young athletes, many parents have stayed to coach even

after their athlete moved on to high school.  We are committed to continuing these goals in

the future as we have in the past.