About The Springfield JFL
The
Springfield Junior Football League was born in 1961 out of local
necessity. Due to funding problems in 1956, the Springfield
school board had terminated freshman football. Long time
Lanphier football coach Don Anderson and Springfield businessman
Albert Myers spearheaded the formation of the Bill Roellig Junior
Football League, named for the long time Springfield High Football
coach. From its beginning in 1961, the JFL featured games for
8th and 9th grade football players. Today, the JFL now
features games for 6th, 7th and 8th grade football players.
From its inception, funds for the JFL have been raised from local
businesses, civic organizations, private individuals, gate receipts
and player fundraisers.
In
its early days, JFL games were played on Sunday afternoons at
Lincoln Park. In the mid 1970's games were often played at
Memorial Stadium. Since 1980, Southeast High School has been
the official Sunday afternoon home field for all JFL games.
Stadium improvements in 2000-2001 make the Southeast Spartan Field
an even more outstanding venue for the JFL. Key corporate
donors have for years assisted the League in purchasing equipment
for players and building a permanent concession stand at Southeast.
Among the organizations that have provided financial support, as
well as other contributions, are the American Business Club, the
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and many individuals
throughout the Springfield community.
Virtually
every high school football player from the city of Springfield, and
many area schools, has participated in the JFL program. Since
1961, more than 10,000+ young men have donated pads and helmets and
experienced their first taste of contact football in the JFL.
Two legendary coaches, Bill Maslauski and Rich Lamsargis, have been
elected to the Springfield Sports Hall of Fame. The JFL is a
league rich with tradition and quality coaching of which is
all-volunteer. Every Coach and Board Member in the JFL does
not receive pay for their efforts. They simply love to teach
the sport of football and enjoy the rewards of watching a youngster
go on to high school football and be successful.