Testimonials from our Parents and Fans! Page I

Hi there... You mentioned today about Spring Registration and how we needed
to get our information into you ASAP. I just wanted to let you know that I
am going to mail Connor's registration in tomorrow, so please save him a
spot!
This was our first year playing in the league and I can't tell you how much
Connor (and we) enjoyed it.  It's a great program and we couldn't be happier
with our first time out.   We loved Coach Matt (Chargers) and he really went
above and beyond to make all of the kids feel like they were part of the
team and contributing!
See you in the spring...
   Terri Penn

Dear Coach Rich,

I just want to thank you, on behalf of my sons and husband, for a great experience playing flag football. We had a son on Bob Hodder's Predators and another on Steve Pavlick's Horned Frogs. Almost without exception, the boys had the times of their lives! Bob was very patient, and treated the kids with tremendous respect.  He was mindful of family's schedules and did his best to play all the kids. Steve was also a great coach, as was his helper, Chris. I will be honest with you, we were not thrilled that our son on the Horned Frogs was basically played only on offense.  However, because he didn't mind it and we are not in a position to coach, we felt it best to leave this decision up to his coaches.  Believe me when I say Adam had a great time at every practice and
in every game!  His smile on the field was very similar to Hines Ward's, who happens to be his favorite player! We were so impressed with the enthusiasm and organization of the league.  Everything, from the referees to the concession stand was run with the intent of making this a great learning experience for our kids. I have already emailed Bob to thank him for his
efforts, but if you could let me know Steve's email address, I'd very much appreciate the opportunity to thank him as well.
We look forward to having the boys play again next
year!
Thanks for all that you do, you are a wonderful role
model and we appreciate your efforts.
Sincerely, Rachel Boyle

Coach Rich,

 

Hello this is Michelle Ernest (Ke'Tron Shelton's mother) I am sending this email because I referred a child to join the backyard family. His mother Bev. S should be contacting you soon to sign him up. I hope you did not mind me doing such.   Kenny was/is having some problems with other children bullying him at school. I figure him joining would build some self confidence, get him away from home, maybe get a little backbone, and to allow him to be a kid and have fun.

 

See you Sunday,

Michelle Ernset

Rich/Sandra:

I was reading on the homepage about how the children are required to wear a "black" mouthpiece.  I had just recently bought Josh a clear one and had our orthodonist fit it for him due to his ortho appliances.  Will the clear one still be OK? By the way, I was also glad to hear that we were moving back to Tyler.  I enjoyed the smaller venue last spring over Denny or even Ross.  Hope we have a great year!!

Thanks, Leyha M. Crawford / Legal Department

Subject: thank you and a correction...

First of all I wanted to tell you how much the Defensive Player of the Week
Award given to my son, Christopher Lewis of the Golden Flashes meant to him.
WOW - is he (and we!) thrilled! His first attempt at playing was in the
fall under the wonderful guidance of Mike Bearer. He was pretty intimidated
by the great players on his team, but learned a lot. Now, on his second
team, he is playing even more, gained a lot of confidence and it shows!
Every week, he comes out of his shell a little more and is already saying
how he can't wait to play in the fall again. So, a huge thank you for all
your efforts!! Just a quick side note - as he was reading the newsletter in
week three, he noticed under golden flashes the nose tackle was mentioned
(my son) but the name Kristopher Lee was listed as the nose tackled instead
of Christopher Lewis. (I know there is a Kris Lee on the team but he plays
another position) I believe there are four boys named Chris on the team so
it's easy to get confused! It is possible to reflect this to read
Christopher Lewis? My son was so thrilled to read about his progress and he
wants to keep the newsletter. Thanks again for all you do! It's appreciated!
I am one very grateful parent.

Patricia L. Zurat, CMP | Senior Sales Manager

Sandra & Rich:

I just want to send a note to thank you for what you do for the kids.  As an
outsider who doesn't have children, I am extremely impressed with the way
the league is run.  From start to finish each week, the organization and
team camaraderie is unmatched by anything I have ever seen.  I come from a
large family that has been involved with organized sports for many years and
nothing compares to the Backyard Sports League.  Sandra, even though you
appear to be the "behind the scenes" person, I see first hand that running
the business is an endless job that requires many hours of hard work and
dedication.  Rich, you are like the "Pied Piper".  I have never seen
anything like it...the players are in awe of you and follow you wherever you
go.  I admire the dedication and heart that each of you has put into the
league to make it the "best around".  Looking at the photos from the Awards
Picnic you can just feel the family spirit that you evoke. Rich, you can
tell you got as much enjoyment out of administering the trophies as the
players and coaches did receiving them.  You both get a huge round of
applause from me.  I am honored to say I am a part of the "Backyard Sports
Family" and know that your success thus far is nothing to compare to what
the future has to bring.

Lisa DiGregory

From: jupiter721@comcast.net [mailto:jupiter721@comcast.net]

Sent: Sunday, November 11, 2007 9:29 PM

To: backyardfootball@comcast.net

Subject: Thanks Rich!

 

Dear Rich:

 

I want to thank you very much for your warmth and enthusiasm this past football season.  My son Jacob loved your program.  You set the tone for the whole league --- and it shows.  Jacob and his brother Alex are looking forward to winter football!

 

Regards,

David Wecht

From: Katherine J. Reagle

Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2007 9:58 AM

To: Richard Pilardi

Subject: Re: Banquet this Sunday

 

Thank you!!!

 

Ian is looking forward to the banquet.  Also, he really enjoyed playing flag football this season.  It was his first time.  It was a nice experience for him and us.  Nice program Rich!!

 

Katie Reagle

Click here to see Page II

Rich,

 

Tony and I (Lang) wanted to write and thank you for the great job that you do with backyard flag football.  Our son Corey Lang loves playing and has enjoyed his last two years with flag football.  The banquet yesterday was outstanding everyone did a fantastic job and everything ran very smoothly.  I have to say you are correct when it is all about trophies and giving to these kids for recognition.  The smile on their faces yesterday says it all and how much they love the sport and how much giving a metal or a trophy means to them.  We were very honored parents when Corey received MVP trophy, just seeing the smile on his face when his name was called just brought tears to my eyes.

 

We just wanted to thank you for all the hard work you put into back yard sports.  Corey will return in the fall. The spring he plays baseball and on a Sunday baseball team so will not be able to play in the Spring but he will return for the fall and winter season.

 

Thanks Again,

 

Tony and Cheryl Lang

It was a very good banquet this season. My personal highlight was Mr. Walter telling me that Brad will be on cloud 9 all weekend. He then thanked me for helping his son improve so much. Brad Walter is what this league is all about in my book. A good player, super nice kid, shows up at every practice, plays hard and has learned how to win and to lose and most importantly has a lot of fun. Alex's recognition was also not too bad for me to watch either.

We should get together some night and have a few cold ones. Looking forward to next season. Don't forget about Joe DeSantis next time.....

By the way, I just wanted to thank you guys for doing a great job with the flag football this season.  Jason plays a bunch of sports and flag football wasn't anything out of the ordinary.  What I was impressed by was the awards banquet…….not just because Jason won some big ones.  It was very nice to see some kids, that probably aren't recognized in sports very often, win some big awards and get some hype.  Some of those kids looked truly thrilled to have the opportunity to win a prize for competition in sports.  For the first time, I thoroughly enjoyed watching other people's kids get trophies.  It was pretty cool.  Great idea!  Thanks

Jason Wurster
Production Floor Manager

Sent: Saturday, June 28, 2008 9:47 PM

To: backyardfootball@comcast.net

Subject: Dear Rich

 

Thank you very much for another well put on event this year. My Grandson Joshua Crawford played again this year and would have loved to win  in the Super Bowl with the Tigers in our minds he did a great job and we are very proud of him and his teammates...its hard for them to understand after working so hard…but he is a "player" and a great kid as are so many of those kids out there week in and week out We as Gran-parents are very appreciative of the work your fine crew puts on every single year. You have had my support for a good while and will continue to put out the word about your fine hard work. Once again thank you for making my Sundays a day we look forward to each week. Good luck! "And let’s play some football"!

Rich,

 

First of all I would like to say THANK YOU for everything that you and the Backyard family has done to make this deployment a less stressful one! I really do appreciate it!!

 

Second of all, I would like to say you seem to amaze me EVERY end of the year at the banquets!  Last season as you gave out the trophies, I sat back and just watched the children's facial expression. They were so shocked, amazed and everything else. Mr. Reilly Jordan took the cake with his jokes, and facial expressions.  I know I spoke about that banquet for at least a week.

 

This year watching McKenzie Conley’s expressions was worth a million dollars. Not only at the banquet but when she received player of the week too. I love the fact that you do this it makes the children want to come back and play again, or to even work harder just to be recognized.

 

What I can remember most is that out of all of the children that you have in the league, you seem to remember each child's name, how long they have been playing in the league and more. That shows that you actually take the time out to get to know the child and or his or her parents. This to me says that you STRIVE for a family atmosphere within the league.

 

Again I would like to thank you for the Award that Ke'Tron received today! It meant so much to us. And I emailed my husband to let him know as well!!!

 

Thanks for all that you do Rich!!!

 

~Michelle Ernest

Sent: Monday, November 10, 2008 8:42 AM

To: pilardi7@comcast.net

Subject: Thanks for another great season

 

Hi Rich:

 

Thanks again for another great season for Alex & me.  The "B" division playoffs were a huge success. It was so much better for the kids to have a chance to win and I bet that will be the only time some of the Bulldog players will be on a championship team. My kids played hard and well, it was a great experience for them. The Bulldogs also played hard and deserved to win. My father was very impressed by how things were run.

Alex is in for the winter and I am willing to coach again if you need me to. I will send you a check in the next few days.

Even though we did not have the most talented kids, our team was made up of very nice kids.  They learned to play football, have fun, respect team mates and coaches and even how to lose with dignity.

Thanks again. I know that Alex would not be the same person he is without the experiences he has had with the league so far and know he will continue to play and love the experience.