The Solanco Midget Football Association will recognize the man who started the program and celebrate its 50th season on Friday, Oct. 21, during the Solanco High School football game against the Fleetwood Tigers at 7 p.m. The midget football teams will be announced as they walk onto the field, followed by Jack Snider, who created the program in 1971, and accompanied by Don Wiley, the organization's current president. A statement prepared by Snider's son, Gary, will be read and Snider will be presented with a plaque commemorating the 50-year anniversary.

Snider was the president of the Quarryville Jaycees Club when he conceived the midget football program in 1971. The Quarryville Jaycees Club is part of JCI USA, a leadership training and service organization for those between the ages of 18 and 40. Its focus is training young members of the community in areas such as management skills, business expertise and community service. As president of the Quarryville branch, Snider organized the football program in November of 1971, and the first games were played during the following season in 1972. Over 6,000 kids have graduated from the program since its inception.

"Many of the seniors on the high school football team first played together on the B team in the midget football program," said Jennie Prange, vice president of the association. "Most of them say their favorite memory since starting to play football was winning the championship together on that team." Last year, the program started welcoming the high school players to come mentor the kids in the program. The players come to a couple practices a week to teach the kids different positions and individually show them techniques based on the position they play. "They love helping the younger kids. They're always so excited to connect with them, and it gives the kids something to look forward to," said Prange.

In addition to returning to mentor, several former members of the program have returned to coach the teams. "It's so nice that they want to come back and give back to the program by getting involved," said Prange. "We're not just out there teaching the kids how to play the game; we're teaching them to be responsible and work as a team." The association strives to instill a sense of responsibility and respect, often incorporating ways for the players to participate in community service. As the cost of admission for a pool party event at the beginning of the season, players donated canned goods and other items to Solanco Neighborhood Ministries' food bank.

For more information, visit https://solancomules.com.