NORTH NORWICH – Tournament organizers are calling the Chenango County Pigskin Classic, presented by Pride of the Paw, the football version of Gus Macker. Aug. 5-7 this year, the first annual tournament is scheduled at Galena Park in North Norwich. Games will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday, and end around 6 p.m. Sunday evening.
“We recognized that football is pretty popular in Central New York, and a lot of kids miss out on activities because of income or availability,” said tournament director, Ed Holmquist. “We want to support the young athletes of the area. Not just by coaching, but by providing them with the monetary part and the opportunity to play.”
As information about the tournament circulated to the public, Holmquist, and co-tournament organizer, Steve Franklin, had to quickly revamp the original schedule. Instead of just a 12-team tournament ($250 entry per team), the first year’s event will have two divisions. The older division is for boys 18-and-under, and a junior division of eight teams, ages 13-15, was recently added. Interest is already building, Holmquist and Franklin said, and the registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Calling the weekend a “carnival of football,” Mike’s D.J. Service will provide music throughout the weekend, and the D.J. will be “really active in all of the events,” Holmquist said.
Friday night, preceding the tournament, kids, parents, fans – and anyone with football skills – are invited to participate in a skills challenge. Among the eight football skills tested are punting, throwing for accuracy and distance, and even a 40-yard dash. Other activities are also available for younger kids including a bounce house. Winners of those skills challenges will be awarded prizes, Holmquist said.
To pull off such a large tournament the first year, one in which games will take place non-stop, volunteers are needed in a variety of functions. Holmquist and Franklin are also actively pursuing corporate partners to help sponsor a tournament that has taken off and become wildly successful in other parts of the country.
