Of course Thanksgiving is about food, family, and appreciating the bounty of another year, but even Charles Schulz understood the role football plays in one of our nation’s most beloved holidays.
Aside from football on the television following turkey dinner, the backyard variety is quite popular, with Turkey Bowls played all over Central Pennsylvania.
But just as Charlie Brown’s pigskin nemesis Lucy understood how traditions can change over time, so does the Tyrone Area Sports Association.
Where once the sandlot was the traditional venue for a holiday game, the TASA recognizes the role organized group events have come to play in popular culture, and that has led the to formation of an annual football tournament with a clear charitable goal in mind.
The organization is hosting its fourth annual flag football tournament to benefit the Shoenberger Scholarship Fund on Sunday, November 24 at Gray-Veterans memorial Field, and not only is the TASA looking for teams, they’re also looking for individuals interested in serving as officials.
The task would be simple: to referee several flag football games over the one-day event, which usually lasts from 10 a.m. through 1:30 p.m.
Anyone interested in working in that capacity can contact organizer Derrick Emigh at (814) 502-5933 or message the group’s Facebook page.
For those who would rather participate as players, slots are still available, and registration is simple. It’s a 5-on-5 flag football tournament, and teams can max out at 7 players. The cost is $20 per person, and players must be at least 18 years old.
The group would like to have teams registered by November 21, and the tournament is open to anyone, even teams and players from outside of the Tyrone community.
All proceeds go to the Al Shoenberger Scholarship Fund, which annually presents scholarships to one male and one female student recognized for a having strong work ethic, positive attitude and community involvement.
ORANGE AND BLACK 