Wildcat Football

Does anyone have an opinion on our local youth football organization? I am curious how you all feel about the current officers and the way the organization is presently being managed.

I have felt for years that when you compare the Wildcat program to other youth league football programs in a 30 mile radius the Mon City program needs an overhaul.

I will not diminish the time, energy and sacrifice that the volunteer coaches put in. Lord knows without them there would not be a Mon City team. This being said it is time for a change.
No young faces with new ideas are needed. The older coaches need to bow out.

In addition, the Wildcats need to get together with the HS Team and run the same offense and defense or a hybrid of what the HS does. This way when these kids get to High School they already know the system since they have been doing it for years. This is exactly what Upper St Clair, Mt Lebanon and a few others do. Say what you want about these other schools but they produce winners virtually every year.

When it costs under $75 to sign your child up for the majority of the sports in the area (including football and cheerleading in other towns) and then costs hundreds to participate in football or cheerleading in Monongahela, I tend to wonder where this money is going.

I agree Resident that the Mon City Program does need an overhaul. It would also be nice if the program could function as a preliminary program to the high school level but that might be difficult given the fact that the coaches are consistently changing.

I too (adventurous) am concerned about the costs associated with the Wildcat program. It is my understanding that, after several complaints, the registration fees are more reasonable this year but I don't understand why they were so exorbitant last year.

I also heard through the grapevine that a new treasurer was voted in and that there were reservations by the current officers to accept this election. Something doesn't sound right to me. That is what prompted this post. I would really like to get more involved and make a formal inquiry but I am not sure if I am the only one that sees that there is a problem?

The current officers and their associates have been in their positions for several years and have done things much differently than the officers in the past. Much differently than the by-laws of the organization actually permit. I don't understand how they are able to get away with so many shady activities with little resistance.

WOW. Cost in the hundreds. I was fortunate enough to play in Mon City then High School and then college. If my parents would have had to pay for me to play I would have never been able to because they could not have afforded it. Regardless if the value of money was less back then.

If I had a child playing I like you would also want to know all of the specifics regarding where the money is spent. Does the association not provide a balance sheet at the end of the season detailing the amount of money taken in and the amount spent? If not they may be hiding something.

As for the current officers getting away with stuff. It's most likely because until now no one complained in public. There is a fair amount of kids playing on the Wildcat Teams. Why doesn't the parents demand some answers?

Yes in the hundreds. Amazing isn't it? It is completely unaffordable for larger families to enjoy such a wonderful sport.

The problem is that you have a panel of individuals involved in this organization that want the titles and the control but none of the work. They also do not want outside help because that may sacrafice the level of control that they currently maintain.

I have not seen a balance sheet but I know that some of the individuals that asked for an audit are no longer welcome as a part of the organization. They were voted out and all of their requests have been ignored.

This leaves people like me afraid to ask for specifics. I heard that bills have not been paid, money not accounted for and little or no concern for the bylaws.

Anyone that may be considered a threat to their control is either given a "title" to create a sense of indebtedness or severed completely.

It is a shame that a program that has been such a benefit to this community is in such a state of chaos.

There is definately some questionable activity and I agree that it is important to bring this to the public eye. We, as parents, need to demand answers.

I thought if you requested an audit that they had to respond.Isn't that public information?

Sounds like someone is hiding something?

adventurous wrote:

I thought if you requested an audit that they had to respond.Isn't that public information?
Sounds like someone is hiding something?

Something does need addressed. I have been concerned about misuse of funds the that four years. If the will not supply the parnets with documented not made up facts then somehing is wrong and it needs addressed. Take it to the Valley Independent. Maybe for once they will get off their behind and write about something newsworthy.

What do they have to supply to the general public and how do I ask for it? I don't know how to address this without affecting my child or myself getting lynched in the process but I also don't want to sit by and watch them destroy this organization. The problem is the people in charge are all in this together so who do I ask or where do I go? I seriously need some advice here and would gratefully appreciate any input.

Also... I question whether or not these people even follow the rules regarding obtaining criminal clearance for the individuals coaching. This is not just about "where is the money going". It's also about the safety of my child.

mon city parent wrote:

Also... I question whether or not these people even follow the rules regarding obtaining criminal clearance for the individuals coaching. This is not just about "where is the money going". It's also about the safety of my child.

I agree with you on both issues.I know that the league has by-laws and somewhere there is a board that is suppose to over see that the by laws are followed. After all this board kicked Clairton out of the league for rules and conduct violations. I would try and find out more regarding the league officials. Side step the Mon City coaches and voice your concerns to the board. If you know a referee or former coach maybe they could point you in the right direction. Someone knows how the league is structured. The squeaky person is the one who has to make this happen. Otherwise the situation will remain unchanged.

who are the officers now anyway. do the wildcats have a website

adventurous wrote:

I thought if you requested an audit that they had to respond.Isn't that public information?
Sounds like someone is hiding something?

I would venture to guess that "yes" they are accountable for tracking of all financial dealings. Is the league tax exempt? As I stated previously. Unless a parent or better yet a group of parents steps up and demands some answers nothing will change or be answered. There is certainly power in numbers.

I do not know if they have a website. The officers last year were (to the best of my knowledge):

President - Jason Briscoe
Vice - President - Rich Downer
Treasurer - Brett Cologiavanni
Secretary - Tammy Nickolls

They were registered as a non-profit but I don't know if their books are still in order and registered as such. Don't you have to reapply for this type of status every so often? Is there a way of checking the "current" status?

I agree that there is power in numbers. Unfortunately, at this time they seem to have the numbers that they need to stay in power.

I would like to contact the Valley Independent but I don't know that I have the "hard" facts that I may need. What would I say when I call? Would I say "I "think" something is seriously wrong and quite possibly criminal!"? I am just putting two and two together at this point and through the few things that I have seen and the things that I have heard I am very disturbed with the current situation.

I don't really care who is running the organization or who is coaching. I am not into the cliques. I just feel that to be fair to the children in this community, the organization should be run legitimately and the by-laws should be followed. Criminal background checks should be done on "all" the officers and "all" of the coaches. Receipts should be documented and the books audited regularly. Elections should be done properly and regular meetings held at the dates and times they are supposed to be held. The by-laws MUST be followed and they can't be changed or ignored at anyone's leisure.

I have tried to attend several meetings only to find that no one is there and to later find the meeting was held a different day but only select individuals were notified. But when anyone complains about anything, they are told that they really have no right to complain because they don't participate in anything. How can you participate if you aren't allowed in? If everything is on the up and up then why wouldn't they welcome outside help?

Thank you all for your responses. I am definately feeling the need to act on this and all advice is greatly appreciated.

i think you should write the paper and maybe the attorney generals office. if they cant help you they can tell you who can.

mon city parent wrote:

I do not know if they have a website. The officers last year were (to the best of my knowledge):
President - Jason Briscoe
Vice - President - Rich Downer
Treasurer - Brett Cologiavanni
Secretary - Tammy Nickolls
They were registered as a non-profit but I don't know if their books are still in order and registered as such. Don't you have to reapply for this type of status every so often? Is there a way of checking the "current" status?
I agree that there is power in numbers. Unfortunately, at this time they seem to have the numbers that they need to stay in power.
I would like to contact the Valley Independent but I don't know that I have the "hard" facts that I may need. What would I say when I call? Would I say "I "think" something is seriously wrong and quite possibly criminal!"? I am just putting two and two together at this point and through the few things that I have seen and the things that I have heard I am very disturbed with the current situation.
I don't really care who is running the organization or who is coaching. I am not into the cliques. I just feel that to be fair to the children in this community, the organization should be run legitimately and the by-laws should be followed. Criminal background checks should be done on "all" the officers and "all" of the coaches. Receipts should be documented and the books audited regularly. Elections should be done properly and regular meetings held at the dates and times they are supposed to be held. The by-laws MUST be followed and they can't be changed or ignored at anyone's leisure.
I have tried to attend several meetings only to find that no one is there and to later find the meeting was held a different day but only select individuals were notified. But when anyone complains about anything, they are told that they really have no right to complain because they don't participate in anything. How can you participate if you aren't allowed in? If everything is on the up and up then why wouldn't they welcome outside help?
Thank you all for your responses. I am definately feeling the need to act on this and all advice is greatly appreciated.

Do you know any former coaches or referees? They surely could help. I would also contact the Valley and ask for an investigative reporter (that may be a stretch). Tyr the Washington Observsor as well.

You need to find out the who, what, when, where and why to the league's board. If they are doing their job they should be willing to listen.

Thank you resident... I think I will start with the leagues board and then try the media.

PS - I would also like to urge any Wildcat parents out there to become involved in the organization. Something is definately not right. I believe that a lot of the problems exist because people these officers have been operating behind closed doors and permitted to do as they wish with little accountability. We as parents need to be informed. It is time to demand audits and answers. It is time to read the by-laws and insist that they be followed. It is time to make sure that our coaches are worthy to teach our children.

they need honest people to run the Wildcats!!! Money is not being handed right. Sticky fingers!!

Any idea on how to prove that? I would love to be wrong but if I am right, I would love to be able to prove this and have them all removed.