Belmont Pop Warner in Peril

After having been an integral part of the Capital District youth sports community since the 1960s, the Belmont Pop Warner football league is in danger of dissolving prior to its 2014 season.

The league, which was founded by Pat Riccardi in 1960 as Mont Pleasant Pop Warner in Schenectady, is a safe haven for 300 children a year between Aug.1-Nov. 30.

The league has five divisions of play and also utilizes cheerleaders for each division. The league is in peril due to the rising costs of equipment, facility rental, liability insurance, and the cost of staying in compliance. Many league supporters have had to utilize their own money over the past few seasons to keep up with the rising costs.

“With the determination of the Mont Pleasant and Hamilton Hill area, Belmont Pop Warner has been a constant positive influence to many young men and women in the community. This will be a loss, not only to the sports of football and cheerleading, but to many generations of children growing up in this area,” says a press release from the league’s website.

The Belmont Pop Warner league has officially been around since 1970, when Mont Pleasant and Bellevue Pop Warner officially merged together. George Rose has been the league’s president since that merger, and has seen his teams win bowl games against out-of-state competition, as well as serve as a positive influence in the community.

The league is asking for help and support from the Capital Region. Visit the league’s website or call Carmen DePaulo at 518-495-6555 for more information.