Dear editor,
The Allen County Youth Tackle Football Association (ACYTFA) has been in existence for many years. Early on, I know that Mike Luttrell, Don Snavely and the late Jay Don Frazell were intricate in developing and managing the league. Their work and forward thinking is appreciated.
I would like to recognize the effort of Josh Oberley and John and Jana Taylor, who at least since my involvement in the league the past eight years, have been in charge and directed the league. In my opinion, they have probably kept the league intact and prospering by their efforts. This year the 5th and 6th grade division had 10 teams from Osawatomie, Central Heights, Garnett, Iola, Humboldt, Uniontown, Fort Scott, Prairie View/Lacygne and Mound City/Jayhawk Linn. The 3rd and 4th grade division had four teams from Fort Scott, Garnett, Iola and Humboldt.
ACYTFA takes a great deal of time and effort to schedule, coordinate and run throughout the year. Josh Oberley has been the man in charge during most of the league’s life and has also sponsored the league through his local company, Modern Woodman of America. Josh has a love of football and for kids. Josh is unique because all of his involvement and time volunteered to this organization has been done with no child participating in the league. I cannot imagine the amount of time Josh has spent over the years to help kids enjoy football.
John Taylor has taken over the last couple of years and done more of the heavy lifting and organizing of the league. This year he ran the league with the increased number of teams and has done an amazing job. John and his wife, Jana, continue to do this even with their son, T.J., now in middle school and having no child in the league. John and Jana, like Josh, have spent thousands of hours volunteering with the kids and putting forth efforts to allow the kids locally and in other adjoining county towns to participate in youth tackle football.
I would like to personally thank Josh and John and Jana for their volunteerism and the hours spent in effort to allow kids the opportunity to participate in a competitive youth tackle football league.
I would also like to thank Mike Luttrell, Don Snavely and the family of Jay Don Frazell for having the vision and dedication to facilitate ACYTFA. If you see any of them, I think that they deserve a handshake and a “Thank You.” Without their efforts, at least over the eight years that I have been involved, I highly doubt the league would still be in existence. Thank you very much from the Humboldt Recreation Department, including all the parents and most importantly the kids who have had the opportunity to participate in youth tackle football.
Very truly yours,
Robert E. Johnson II,
Humboldt, Kan.
