Listed below are some Frequently Asked Questions. If you have any additional questions not answered here please feel free to contact Mike Marsala at mmarsala83@gmail.com.

Q. Why did you start an all new organization when Wappingers already had football and cheer?

A. There were several reasons for forming the Wappingers Indians in 2010. First and foremost was to eliminate weight restrictions and to include all the youth in our community in the sport of football. When considering weight at the youth level, one must realize that children grow at different paces. There are those that fill out quicker, those that gain height quicker, etc. -- faster or slower growth is perfectly normal, but tends to exclude children from qualifying for their division in organizations that require weight restrictions. As a direct result of children not "making weight", children were either turned away, tried to lose weight quickly (which is unhealthy), or were forced to move up with significantly older children (i.e., 4th graders with 6th or 7th graders). Our combination of a grade-based and age-protected system eliminates this problem and allows athletes to play football on the same maturity level. Finally, we are committed to providing our local high school with athletes that are ready to hit the ground running when they get to the high school level. We model our program after the Ketcham High School football program, and we play the Division I school districts your child will play at the high school level.


Q. Will my son or daughter be safe playing in a grade based program?
A. The removal of weight restrictions allows all children to play at a more appropriate maturity and physical development level. Participants have an opportunity to play on grade appropriate teams with added age restrictions providing for SAFER, competitive teams. There is no evidence that shows that grade-based players suffer any greater amount of injuries than any other youth football programs. Football is a physical game, and requires that the fundamentals be taught by experienced coaches, which will help them avoid unnecessary injuries. This program offers each participant to play against kids in their own age group, which gets them prepared for the next level of football, where players are similar in age and vary in size.


Q. Will my child be able to grow in this program?
A. We believe that WFI will provide a linear development for a football player from their start in youth football up through high school. Players will get the chance to learn alongside those who could be their future varsity football teammates.


Q. I see that I have to submit my child’s final report card as part of the registration. Why is this needed?
A. Wappingers Falls Indians and its National affiliation enforces a scholastic requirement that requires that a child must maintain a passing grade average or better in order to participate. If a child is not passing and is willing to put the effort in order to play, weekly progress reports from their teacher is required to ensure the child is striving to improve their grades. Our Taconic Youth League Conference also recognizes Academic Achievement for those who maintain a 93 average or above. In Football, the report card is also required as proof of grade.


Q. When and where will my child play?
A. Games are played on Saturday or Sunday. Home games are played at Wappingers Junior High School and away games are mostly played at the following: Brewster, Carmel, Cross River, Hudson Valley, Mahopac, Somers, Southern Dutchess, Yonkers and Yorktown.


Q. Does my son need to tryout?
A. No. Football is open to all children from Kindergarten to 8th grade.


Q. Will my son play in every game?
A. Yes. We maintain a mandatory play requirement that is strictly enforced.


Q. What time does practice start?
A. 6:00 PM

Q. I would like to coach...will I receive any training?
A. Yes. All coaches must attend and pass a CPR/First Aid/Safety/AED class and a Football Coaching certification class. A background check is also done on all volunteers for all teams. Our more experienced coaches will also help mentor any new coaches.

Q. My son wants to try out for the school team as well as play for the Wappingers Indians football team, can he do both?
A. As of May 2012, modified football for junior high schools in the Wappingers Central School District are no longer offered. Our program provides proven, successful preparation for high school football.

Q. Will my child play against players they might face in High School?
A. Yes! Our program cements our relationship as a youth football team with the high school program. Our players will be competing against other players at their grade level; players they will face in High School should they decide to continue with football.


Q. Will my child be learning plays from the High School Program?
A. Our program is modeled on what’s going to happen at the high school level. We’ll be teaching the basics of football as well as good sportsmanship.


Q. Will my child need to maintain a certain weight range?
A. There are no weight restrictions.

Q. I would like to help out on my child's team who do I contact?

A. Wappingers Indians is a 100% volunteer organization and all help is welcomed. If you are interested in coaching please contact our Football Commissioner in the Spring prior to the start of the next season. To become a team parent, please contact your child's head coach at the beginning of the current season.

Avoid Unsafe Weight Loss

Wappingers Falls Indians Urges Youth Against Unhealthy Weight Reduction

Your child may be asked by other football leagues to lose weight fast (during their growth years) for the single purpose of "making the weight to play." All sorts of dangerous methods are used to "sweat off the pounds." It is the opinion of most physicians that dehydration techniques are harmful to the health of athletes. Evidence of this can be found with the sport drink companies that make millions by offering to balance a body's electrolytes with their products.


While obesity is a national epidemic - the loss of fat occurs over an extended period of time by eating healthy meals and staying physically active. Fast weight loss through dehydration techniques drains the body, mind and spirit of growing youngsters. Wappingers Falls Indians encourages young athletes to avoid sudden weight loss so they may develop to their full potential physically, mentally, and socially.