Tonight at Gray-Veterans Memorial Field, the Tyrone Elks Lodge No. 212 sponsors the 25th annual Powderpuff football game. The Junior girls will battle the Senior girls in a fun game of flag football. The proceeds from admission will benefit the Ellenberger Scholarship Fund and the Elks Drug Awareness Program.
One of the game’s organizers, Gary McGovern, enjoys the idea behind the game and is celebrating his 16th year as an organizer.
“This year’s game is pretty special,” said McGovern. “This year’s Junior team was born the year I started volunteering to help with the Powderpuff game.”
Over the 25 years, some of Tyrone’s best athletes have been a part of the Powderpuff game on and off the field.
“We have had some great girls put on a show,” said McGovern. “The year Christina Burnett was a junior, coach (John) Franco asked if she wanted to play varsity football because he was amazed at her speed. Ashley Norris, Barb Miller and many other great female athletes have participated in the game. We have also witnessed some of the best male athletes dress up as cheerleaders. The game is all about a fun night to benefit a great cause.”
The proceeds benefit the Ellenberger Scholarship Fund in the name of Bill Ellenberger who recently passed away.
“Because of the Powderpuff football game, our lodge has been able to fund the Ellenberger Scholarship,” said McGovern. “After Bill passed away, the lodge received over $1,000 in his memory that was donated to the scholarship fund.”
The Ellenberger Scholarship is presentsd to a senior football player who will be attending a four-year college.
Some of the past recipients include Ryan Clark (2003), Brian Moore (2002), Joe Lehner (2001), Evan Klesius (2000) and Albert Hammers (1999).
“This scholarship has been helped some football players earn their college degrees,” said McGovern. “One year, there was a parent of a scholarship winner who told me that this scholarship made the difference of whether the young man could attend college because of the families finances. It makes you feel like you are doing something special to help out the youth of Tyrone.”
McGovern would like to thank the Juniors and Seniors who are participating in this year’s game and the many people who are involved in the planning of the game.
“Steve Lucas, Craig Kilmer, Dale Hamer, Patty Kilmer and Rose Castagnola all help a lot to make this game happen,” said McGovern. “I want to thank Jim Cushion and Verden Latchford who are donating their time to referee the game.”
The 25th annual Powderpuff football game kicks off tonight at Gray-Veterans Memorial Field. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for students. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
