ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Albany Pop Warner has undergone some leadership changes. This as Albany Police investigate the league that’s been left to rebuild ahead of the upcoming season.
Albany Pop Warner practices on Foley Field at Hoffman Park. They’re slated to start August 1, but this year the league has an urgent need and is looking for community support.
The league serves 150 young people, between the ages of 5 and 12 years old, on its football and cheer teams.
President Charles Chandler was part of the same league when he was 9 years old. He said the program instills discipline and has impacts beyond the field.
“First of all, good listeners. Good students in school. They’re student athletes first. And we also encourage them to behave at home and listen to their parents. We talk to a lot of the parents and sometimes when the children have issues, they have consequences here as well because you know we consider ourselves a family. So, we instill good sportsmanship and try to make them gentlemen,” said Chandler, who’s retired from the Marine’s and the New York State Police.
He said the league has been dealing with an unfortunate situation.
“There was a petition signed by parents last year that had questions about where the funding and money was going and different things that were going on. One of the other issues was there was no vote. I wasn’t a part of that, but that’s kind of what got the ball rolling with Capital District Pop Warner,” said Chandler.
He said once the new board was elected, he became the new president.
“And there’s a hand off of things like keys, and equipment, and passwords, things of that nature. None of that happened,” said Chandler.
He’s alleging a misappropriation of funds. “We found out through the transition that there was money and equipment missing,” said Chandler. “Once you’re actually able to see numbers all it does is raise questions.”
The Albany Police Department confirmed it received a report related to the allegations and the investigation is active and ongoing.
“We were left with about 35 helmets just as an example of what’s going on. Last season we had 125 players; this season I have no idea what’s going to go on. We applied for a couple of grants as well so we’re waiting on a return from them. So, if we end up with 125 players again this season obviously, we’re about 90 helmets short,” said Chandler.
He said the program builds character, but he sees it as a solution to other issues in the city.
“A lot of people complain about the violence, especially with the youth and teenagers, and this is one of the programs that established guidelines and rules and disciplines that can carry with you throughout your life,” said Chandler, who added a big ‘thank you’ to the Albany Department of Recreation for preparing their field.
Again, Chandler said regardless of the setbacks they’re slated to start practicing on August 1. If you’d like to support Albany Pop Warner, by volunteering or with donations, you can find more information on its new website.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
