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You may verify 501c3 status by visiting either
www.apps.irs.gov/app/pub78
www.guidestar.org
Organization Headquarters
574 South Division Avenue, Suite 21, Grand Rapids MI 49503
PHONE:(616)723-4565 Web:www.gryao.org
Organization Bio
The Grand Rapids Youth Athletics Organization (GRYAO) is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization that has been in existence since 2005. The organization assumed administrative responsibility of the GRRFL (Grand Rapids Rocket Football League), which had been in existence for over 37 year’s right here in Grand Rapids. The GRYAO is comprised of volunteers, parents and participants. Volunteers, who have a genuine interest in supporting the lives of our young people ensuring a bright future,. The GRYAO touches between 80– 120 youth between the ages of 7-14. Most relationships that are developed extend well beyond our season.
The GRYAO currently offers rocket football in the greater Grand Rapids, Michigan area. Most of our coaches and volunteers were participants themselves. Returning to make sure the league will forever be. GRYAO has a reputation that extends well outside of our local area. We currently have active relationships with several surrounding markets. We play games against Kalamazoo, Benton Harbor, Muskegon, Flint and Lansing. We have traveled as far as Tennessee. Our competitive league environment has caught the attention of local suburban markets, which choose to pay extra to send their kids to develop and learn in the GRYAO, instead of their own community leagues.
The GRYAO gained national recognition by dominating the 13 and under division of the annual Battle at Rocky Top tournament located Knoxville, TN, where our King Park Packers team was crowned tournament champion and our Stiles Center Night Hawks team finished second. That is 1 and 2 out of 13 teams. The GRYAO is considered by many to be the best rocket football program in West Michigan and has received over 20,000 website hits from parents, fans and supporters as well as game invitations from far away as Dayton, OH.
The GRYAO has produced many talented student athletes that have went on to enjoy successful careers at the Division I and II level of college football, and several former players currently playing in the National Football League. Right now we currently have three players in the NFL. David Harris, New York Jets; Rueben Riley, Carolina Panthers; Carlton Brewster, San Diego Chargers and Turner Nande who spent two years with the Tennessee Titans. We have a host of other players whom I could name but we do not have enough room. Our former players are principle, coaches and administrators throughout the city of Grand Rapids.
The GRYAO mission is to provide fundamentals, fun and an opportunity for any youth between the ages of 7-14, that would like the chance to learn the game of football. While stressing the importance of academics, we allow the parents to be parents and offer our support whenever requested. As we grow as an organization our intent is to implement some tutoring and other support functions.
Our season covers four months, starting in July ending in October. We practice for three weeks, commencing the second, Monday of July (July 13 this year) with our regular season games starting the first week following the Labor Day weekend. A season is five to seven regular season games, every Saturday, except Labor Day weekend.
We play our games at Ottawa Hill High School and Union High School practice fields. Both Fields are located on sight right at the high school. You may map quest the directions or visit our web site, WWW.GRYAO.ORG. Games start at 8 A.M. and go throughout the day until finished. Again check our website and see where we are playiing.
There are three levels of football.
Football
Novice 7, 8 & 9 year olds
Juniors 10 & 11 year olds
Seniors 12, 13 & 14 year olds
MULICK PARK COUGARS, practice at Mulick Park (1761 Rosewood SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508 ) located right between Sylvan, Rosewood, Boston and Griggs Street adjacent to Mulick Elementary School. Mulick has been there tucked away but not hidden from anyone who knows anything about rocket football in Grand Rapids. Turning out such players as Carlton Brewster & Sparky McEwen.
Well there you go, there is GRYAO in a nut shell. Come check us out, either as a fan, volunteer or participant. We will be registering at the office located at 574 S. Division, Suite 21; Grand Rapids, MI; 49503. Our hours of operation vary during the season, with office hours being reduced once game begin. WWW.GRYAO.ORG
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