New youth football program creates stir in Mokena

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Updated: March 18, 2012 8:09AM

The creation of a second youth football program in Mokena has been accompanied by anger, accusations of registration fliers being swiped and a concern by a park district official that hard feelings could escalate.

A program called the Junior Griffins has formed as an alternative to the Mokena Burros, which has existed for 49 years. Although both programs are independent of the park district, the district board’s president, Dennis Bagdon, supports the new program, and district Commissioner Jim Richmond is on the Junior Griffins board.

Burros president Joe Lentz said he’s “very angry with the park district” because having a new team is “impacting the lives of 600 kids” in the Burros program. He declined further comment.

Bagdon said he recently was “accosted” by a different Burros official who yelled profanities.

“It’s getting dangerous,” Bagdon said. “I felt threatened. I’m very concerned.”

He said there was community support for the new football program. The Junior Griffins will play in the River Valley League, which focuses on equal playing time for all kids, Bagdon said, while the Burros program is more competitive and has weight requirements.

Mokena kids who don’t meet those requirements or want a less competitive experience have had to look elsewhere, some playing for the Frankfort Falcons, which is also a member of the River Valley League.

The Junior Griffins will offer flag and tackle football and cheerleading, Bagdon said.

He said the Burros has been a good program, but last fall the park district issued a warning to a Burros coach for violating the district’s code of conduct by pushing a player to the ground and calling him an insulting name.

“We will not tolerate that type of behavior,” he said.

Although the park district does not run the football programs, it provides the fields, schedules practices and games and promotes good sportsmanship, Bagdon said. All teams must sign an agreement to comply with a code of conduct, he said.

The creation of the Junior Griffins was “not vindictive” but “absolutely needed” so more kids could have an opportunity to play, Bagdon said. He said plans are to have the Junior Griffins and the Burros share the field at Main Park, alternating their home and away games.