AVONDALE, PA — Football. Family. Friends. Fun. Fall… Just a few ‘F” words that have a tendency to invoke certain Feelings (there’s another one!) that cannot be denied or escaped; feelings so good that you have no choice but to keep returning to the people and places that have tangible, pervasive meanings to your past while simultaneously giving you a hearty glimpse of what is to come.
This past Saturday, The Avon Grove Wildcats hosted the 2023 Jamboree, kicking off the 30th season for football and cheer programs. This annual display included Oxford, Kennett-Unionville, and Ridley Park and continued a great tradition! The Jamboree consisted of four 25-minute scrimmages between the four teams in a nice, casual environment that led to a lot of teaching and coaching moments.
And a lot of reminiscing for those on the sidelines.
“Thirty years of football is truly something so special,” admits 13U Coach and AGW alum, Brad Lytle. “I hope to see this amazing program go on for 30 more!”
With the always-appreciated help of board members and parents, the Wildcats welcomed many old and new faces to their home field at Harmony Park. Another new face lending its support this year is the Wildcat on the fieldhouse, painted by the incomparable Cory Lockard.
This year is also the 25th anniversary of the 1998 Wildcats league championship upset against an undefeated Downingtown team at Villanova University. Brad Parker, a member of that famous squad, knows and passes on what it truly means to be a team player in this program. His son, Lucas, age three, donned his father’s throwback jersey to the Jamboree! Lucas’ time to take the field will come, but for now, he has to be satisfied with cheering on his big brother, Bentley. Bentley chose to honor his father by wearing his old number, “53!”
Brad even dusted off his old 1998 trophy and took photos of his kids, especially Lucas in Dad’s old jersey, while organized chaos ensued in the background.
“I’m proud to know my boys get to play here,” said Brad. “These were some of my best childhood memories.”
These memories are the same for most AGW coaches and alumni.
Coaches like Trevor Sowers – a senior at AGHS – He is helping on the AGW 13U coaching staff. Also spotted were Nate Jones, Alexander Vinstead, Evan Olander, and Van Erickson. Jones is a former Wildcat teammate of Coach Lytle who is also assistant coaching 13U. Vinstead, Olander, and Erickson are now playing for Avon Grove High School and graciously volunteer their time to help coach up the next generation.
“I had an amazing experience with the Wildcats. Being in this organization introduced me to some great coaches and some of my best friends,” says Olander. “My experience there gave me some really great opportunities in the future.”
“I grew as a player and person tremendously during my time there,” Olander continued. “It’s important to help our young athletes in order to grow our community and strengthen the relationship between the Wildcats and our high school team.”
This altruistic and symbiotic relationship is something head coach Joe Coffey at Avon Grove High School finds increasing and improving year after year. The overarching support of players past and future and the added involvement of the community is what got the Avon Grove Wildcats program to this monumental year. The fact that the athletes and coaches continually want to return to impart knowledge, have fun, and relive old memories while making new ones is what will allow this program to flourish far into the future.
Because this is where good stuff happens. This is where you played; you laughed, learned, cried, celebrated, bonded, and grew as athletes and members of a community that remembers and takes care of its own.
The feelings this sort of camaraderie instills, has instilled, and will continue to instill, is what keeps everyone coming back.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.