2008 Hoosier Heartland Invitational Wrapup, Highlights and more photos...

[Silverhorse 228]

What a day for miniature football! I can honestly say that putting on an event like this is worth every bit the effort and I encourage all coaches to get in touch with their local Boy Scout Troops and put one of these on. This age group is perfect to reach out to the next generation of coaches and the smiles on their faces will tell you...it is simple fun. Before I get to some highlights and more photos, I have some people to thank for all their efforts on Saturday.

First, I would like to thank my sister and Scout leader Cheryl, George my brother-in-law and fellow Scout master, my daughter and most of all...my wife Mary for her patients and all the help she gave me over the last month getting setup.

Second, I would like to thank two people who donated special items for this event. I would like to personally thank George Diamond who donated 14 miniature football teams, which we had a drawing for...each winner getting one team. Thank you George that was very generous and the kids loved the figures. I would also like to thank Delayne and Michael Landsman who donated a Rose Bowl board, which we had a drawing to one lucky Scout. That Scout was Aaron Pearson and it was one of those special moments, because I learned later that his father played electric football and was very much into electric football as a kid and young adult. Like many of us...he has discovered the hobby again and had no idea we were still out there...he is interested in joining the HHEFL! I would also like to thank the Landsmans for donating 15% back to the Boy Scouts of everything we sold at the event. They provided catalogs and order sheets that made everything go smoothly. I would also like to thank all of our raffle donators...John DiCarlo, Al Dunham and Lynn Scmidt.

Third, I would like to thank Matt Wavra, Sergei Chernetsky and Al Dunham. Without their help it simple would not have happened...thanks guys.

Now on to the highlights...

We had four packs at the event. Troop 213, Troop 202, Pack 3200 and Pack 3203. We had 20 participants in the quarterback painting contest and the winners were....

Most Original: Joey Brooke-Timmins (Pack 3200)
Most Accurate: Brady Shipman (Pack 3203)
Most Creative: Aaron Pearson (Pack 3200)

Aaron Pearson also won the Rose Bowl Electric Football game in the drawing.

We had two Skills competition winners. In group one it was Zachery Angot and in group two I am still awaiting the name.

Your winner for the Hoosier Heartland Invitational Grand Prize Raffle worth over $300 was....DAVID BROWN of Lafeyette, Indiana.

To this point...through raffles and donations we have raised $305 towards our goal of $900. I just wanted to let everyone know that I will continue to accept donations from any coaches who could not make it to the event and anyone who would just like to contribute.

As for our "Rapid Fire" tournament...well...it turned into a one game affair. Your 2008 Hoosier Heartland Invitational Champion is...Sergei Chernetsky from the Ukraine, now living in Kokomo, Indiana. He defeated Al Dunham 20-12 in what became a great game for the championship. I must tip my hat off to Al...he played with one of my teams, had no idea who did what, but he managed to play great defense and make some great game time adjustments to stay in the game...a mark of a great coach.

I have posted more photos below of our displays for the MFCA, HHEFL and so forth. There are some other photos on Weirdwolf's post titled "Hoosier Heartland Championship Game in progress", so I will try not to duplicate them. All photos and more highlights can be found at our website at www.leaguelineup.com/hhefl .

In case anyone was wondering, we had seven stations in which the kids went through...and they were...

Station 1-Passing Accuracy
Station 2-Field Goal Accuracy
Station 3-Fastest Man
Station 4-Kickoff Return Challenge
Station 5-Practice Field
Station 6-Looper Challenge
Station 7-Strongest Man

If anyone wants to put on an event like this for some young men...I am at your disposal and will gladly help in anyway I can. Together we will bring this hobby to the masses and together we will have fun!

That is it for now...until the 2009 Hoosier Heartland Invitational thanks to everyone and Long Live Miniature Football!

[Coach Rip]

Matt,

Looks like you put on a great show, .................and as my dear Friend Chris Stacey says " it looks like You all had a Large Time!"

Congratulations for putting on a first rate event.

[WEIRDWOLF]

Matt, You are one of the most dedicated people I know. To take on this event for the kids not only helps the kids to have a fun time but introduces a whole new age bracket to the game that may have gone most of their life without ever seeing it.

I know that we sometimes think that things like this don't have much impact but imagine if all of us old guys had never even heard of the game. Look what we would have missed out on.

Some of these kids that you worked with this last weekend will never forget it and I guarantee that a few will someday pick up the game and carry on the love of it.

Good job to all the coaches, Al, Matt and Serge! What you did looks top notch and extremely well organized! I am so proud of you guys that I won't even take a shot or slam at Al in this post!

[GrandMasterKC]

flg$ flg$ It is the joy and smiles that EF brings to us all and our youth. Keep up the good work.

[NEW CASTLE HiTMEN]

[Coach K-LO]

great stuff......glad that the kids had as much fun as you did running the show!!!!

Matt,

Great job! It's great to see these boys playing MF... looks like you had a great event!

Wally

[Jim Davis]

Matt,
That Was Great, Nice Job My Friend

[Silverhorse 228]

Jim...I hope you guys can make it down next year...you will not regret it...I promise!

Thanks for the kind words everyone!

[Franny-j-boy]

You did a great job,and the proof is in the kid's faces. They are all smiling and glued to your event. Great job to all of you.