Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc.

Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that provides youth sports and educational programs focused on American football, cheerleading, and dance for children aged 5 to 16. It is the largest youth football organization in the United States, with a presence in over 40 states and several countries.

History

Pop Warner Little Scholars was founded by Joseph J. Tomlin in 1929 as the Junior Football Conference in Northeast Philadelphia. Initially, it was created to address local issues of vandalism by providing athletic activities for youth. In 1933, Tomlin met Glenn Scobie "Pop" Warner, a renowned football coach, who became involved with the organization. Following a severe weather event, where Pop Warner was the only speaker to show up at a spring clinic, the young athletes renamed the program in his honor.

In 1959, the organization was officially incorporated as a nonprofit, adding "Little Scholars" to emphasize the importance of academic achievement alongside athletic participation. Walt Disney supported this philosophy, and in 1960, a film about Pop Warner Football was televised.

Programs

Pop Warner Little Scholars offers various programs:

• Football: Tackle and flag football leagues are available. Players are grouped by age and weight in divisions such as Tiny-Mites, Mitey-Mites, Jr. Pee Wee, Pee Wee, Junior Varsity, Varsity, and Unlimited. Safety measures have been implemented to reduce the risk of head injuries, including the banning of kickoffs in certain divisions and limiting player stances.

• Cheer and Dance: Programs include traditional cheerleading, year-round cheerleading, majorettes, dancing boots, pom squads, and pep squads. The first National Cheer & Dance Championship was held in 1988.

• Academic Programs: Emphasizing that scholastics and athletics "go hand in hand," Pop Warner requires participants to maintain minimum academic standards. It recognizes outstanding scholars through the All-American Scholar Program.

Mission and Impact

The mission of Pop Warner Little Scholars is to enable young people to benefit from participation in team sports and activities in a safe, structured environment. The organization teaches values such as sportsmanship, scholarship, and physical fitness. Its programs are designed to provide opportunities for self-discipline, teamwork, concentration, friendship, leadership, and sportsmanship.

Over 40,000 volunteers and coaches support these programs, which have grown to include over 5,000 football teams and more than 5,400 cheer and dance squads. Annual national championships for football and cheerleading are held at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Florida.

Despite facing challenges related to safety concerns and concussions in football, Pop Warner continues to play a significant role in promoting youth sports and education in the United States and beyond.