11/02/2025
Dear SRFFL Families,
Knowing this day would come doesnt make it any easier, however, I sit down to write this with a heart full of gratitude. For the past seven years, you have been more than participants in a flag football league—you have been the heartbeat of a community that turned a simple idea into something truly unforgettable.
From the very first whistle in our inaugural year with 120 wide-eyed kids to this season’s roster of over 300, we’ve watched children grow into confident athletes, teammates become lifelong friends, and families come together in ways that only youth sports can inspire. We’ve celebrated hard-fought championships, cheered through muddy downpours, and high-fived after every touchdown—each moment a thread in a tapestry of memories that will outlast the grass we played on.
None of this would have been possible without the selfless dedication of our board members, who poured countless hours into making every Sunday a success. You set up fields before sunrise, and turned chaos into order with smiles on your faces(most of the time). Your commitment taught every child on that field what it means to show up—not just for a game, but for each other.
I want to pause here and offer a special, deeply personal thank-you to four individuals who embodied our dedication like no others: Andrew Bryce, Ajia Watson, Shawn Markley, and J.P. Gibson. Rain or shine, personal challenge or long work week—it never mattered. They were always there. For me. For the league. And most importantly, for these kids. Their reliability became the foundation every family could count on, and their joy in serving was the quiet magic that kept the league alive. Andrew’s commitment to our stats and recaps, Ajia’s infectious energy and coordination, Shawn’s steady leadership, and J.P.’s unwavering “yes” before the question was even asked—these are the moments I’ll carry with me forever.
To see our little league not only triple in size but also birth a travel program that took teams across state lines and all the way to Disney remains one of the greatest privileges of my life. You trusted us with your children, your weekends, and your belief that this league could be something special. And because of that trust, it was.
We weren’t perfect. There were rained-out games, scheduling hiccups, and the occasional referee mix-up. But through it all, we poured love into every detail, hoping to give your kids more than just a season of flag football—we hoped to give them confidence, camaraderie, and a story they’ll tell for decades. I genuinely believe we did.
As we close this chapter, please know this: the friendships forged here, the lessons learned between the cones, and the pride in every pulled flag will ripple far beyond the field. You’ve given me a gift I can never repay, and I will spend the rest of my life grateful for the honor of serving alongside you.
Thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Yours in flag football,
SRFFL Board
