MSO PACKERS POP WARNER YOUTH FOOTBALL AND CHEERLEADING ORGANIZATION
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The Maplewood/South Orange Packers goal is to teach our youth the fundamentals of football and the spirit of cheerleading. We promote good sportsmanship, self-discipline and team cooperation. We encourage all of our youth and parents to give their best effort. The emphasis is on fun with maximum participation, which leads to personal growth and development in a competitive environment.
Our vision is to create a family and community oriented atmosphere based on the spirit of support, trust, tolerance, cooperation, training and understanding. We are open to all Maplewood and South Orange residents, who we hope will help us bring this vision to reality. Any out of town residents interested in the program must see the football or cheerleading commissioners prior to registration for the out of town registration procedure.
HISTORY:
The Packers were established in 1968 by Ralph and Pat Kindig, Kel Sherwood, Peter Matusiack, John Mareno, and Bob Bianchi. During the early and mid sixties, youth football players from Maplewood and South Orange often played football for either the Union Rockets or Bandits. A bond was signed in 1967 and the Packers were born a year later wearing Green Bay Packer colors but the teams were called the Bobcats, Wildcats, and oldest team Packers. Players and Cheer would meet at the train station and travel to away games via a bus. As you could guess, the founders were Green Bay Packer Fans.
The cheer program was created by Eileen Raccioppi and Sandy Facciponte. For a short time in the 80’s the cheer program had both Cheer and a Dance team. The MSO packers have over 40 years of experience teaching the fundamentals of football, cheer and the values of good sportsmanship. The MSO Packer’s legacy has been to prepare our players to compete and exceed as members of their High School Football and Cheer teams. Numerous Packers have become NCAA student athletes.
* The Packers are part of Pop Warner, a national football organization. Our season does not end in October. MSO Packer teams have competed in regional and post-season tournaments as well as "Bowl" games annually.
* The Packers and other member organizations from our conference (Mountain Valley) have seen football and spirit teams go to Disney World in Orlando, Florida to compete for the Pop Warner National Championships. Packer teams compete against the best!
The Packer family is built on a long history of Football and Cheer. Ex-Players continue to inspire our current youth. Below is a list of notable alumni:
MSO Packers Wall of Fame:
Ashley Newby is on a 4 year scholarship for track to the University of Kentucky. She Cheer for the MSO Packers 4 years and credits Cheerleading as helping her keep in shape for track. Alex Fortunato is currently cheerleading for Philadelphia University.Fred and Paul Profeta for their very generous donations of monies and time to the Underhill field project so that the MSO Packers can play on a safe facility. The field will be named after Fred's and Paul's mother, who retired as a teaching in the Maplewood South Orange school district. All supporters for their donations of monies and time to the Underhill field project so that the MSO Packers and High School sports can play of a safe facility. Next Step, Friday Night Lights at Underhill!!!!!! The World Champion New York Giants for their generous grants of monies to the MSO Packers for much needed uniforms. Aron Rolley – McCostky award winner, Broke touchdown and rushing records while playing for ColumbiaHigh School, Ran track and played football while attending Temple University. Aron is currently one of our Packer Coaches.Gerald “Gerry” Auriemma – Currently Gerry is one of our current Packer Coaches. Played College football as a place kicker. Bob Bianchi played college Lacrosse at the U.S. Naval Academy and was a high school all American in football. Died March 23, 1987 for his country.Kevin Bianchi played college Lacrosse at the U.S. Naval Academy , died July 16, 2003 in service for his country.Jim Bianchi played played college Lacrosse at the U.S. Naval Academy. Dave Sherwood, High School and College All American Lacrosse player at LoyolaCollege.Nick Spagnoletti – played high school football and Lacrosse at Columbia and LAX at BostonCollege. Nick currently coaches the Madison Youth LAX team, and yes he enjoyed beating Maplewood LAX this year.Andrew DeCicco – All American at RutgersUniversityDave Brothers – Currently the Lacrosse coach at ColumbiaHigh School and played college Lacrosse at RutgersUniversity.Jon Brothers The Colorado, Professional Lacrosse Team, 2003; University of Maryland, 1995 National Championship runner-up; Washington Power; Team Toyota, Face-off Specialist; All American Columbia High School, NJ Lax Hall of FameRick Glancy – Played LAX at John Hopkins. Steve Ramos- Played College football and Lacrosse and is also the vice-president of Maplewood LAX club.
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