Park Ridge Sports, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving youth football and cheer participants in the Park Ridge area. Our family of programs is recognized regionally as a first-class organization within our community. Over the years, we have developed and delivered thousands of well-trained, disciplined young athletes to local high schools.

Our athletes are prepared not only with strong sport-specific skills, but also with the core values essential to competition and life—sportsmanship, work ethic, and dedication to training. Each program is designed to be both competitive and fun, creating positive experiences and lifelong memories every season.

Founded in 1967 by John Maloney, Sam Donatucci, Joe Kaminsky, Jack Cartland, and Phil Coplis, the organization was originally known as Mighty Mite Youth Sports. At its inception, the program included football, cheerleading, wrestling, boxing, and gymnastics.

As participation grew and each program required more focused leadership, Park Ridge Sports, Inc. made a strategic decision in the 1980s to concentrate its efforts on football and cheerleading. This shift allowed the organization to build one of the premier youth football and cheerleading programs in the Chicagoland area.

Park Ridge Football and Cheer, which operates the program today, is an affiliate of the Park Ridge Park District and continues to uphold Mighty Mites’ original creed: “The youth of a nation are the trustees of posterity.”

The Park Ridge Youth Football organization is committed to providing a safe, positive, and nurturing environment in which student-athletes and coaches are given the opportunity to develop strong character, build self-esteem, and grow personally. We strive to create an atmosphere that:

• Promotes self-respect and discipline

• Fosters teamwork and lasting friendships

• Teaches core fundamentals and rules of the game

• Rewards sportsmanship and fair play

• Encourages pride and leadership

• Sets an example of community spirit and good citizenship

Our goal is to make participation in Park Ridge Football and Cheer the most positive and influential experience our players and cheerleaders will have.

To our coaches, we ask that you incorporate the ideals of this mission statement into your coaching philosophy and daily routines. We expect coaches to treat one another with respect in all football-related situations, to lead by example, and to hold themselves to a higher standard than non-coaches.

Most of all, we want everyone to have fun!

Park Ridge Football and Cheer receives no outside funding beyond participant fees and generous donations. As we continue to develop the next generation of young athletes, we are proud to be an organization founded, coached, and supported entirely by volunteers. These dedicated volunteers stand behind and actively uphold the mission and values of Park Ridge Football and Cheer.

The Park Ridge Park District’s mission is to enhance Park Ridge’s quality of life by providing park and recreation opportunities for all residents while being environmentally and fiscally responsible.  Operating as an affiliate of the Park District, Park Ridge Football and Cheer provides football and cheerleading opportunities for the community and residents of the Park District.