The new Falcon Raptors youth football program hit the ground running during the summer of 2023 and had smashing success during its debut season, with two of the program’s teams (11U and 12U) crowned divisional champions in the Pikes Peak Pop Warner league.
During that first season, what began as president Pierre Banks’ dream to bring family oriented sports to Falcon grew to include 100 football players, four football teams, 25 coaches and 23 cheerleaders. This year, the Raptors have 75 athletes signed up for teams already (many participated last season); Banks is excited to hopefully exceed the number of participants from the last time around.
As a program sanctioned under the nonprofit organization Pop Warner (the largest and oldest youth football and cheer and dance program in the world, according to the Pop Warner website), the Raptors program is able to operate on its own, thanks to donations. The Raptors called on local businesses and individuals to show support with their dollars and a handful answered.
When describing last season’s funding, Banks said, “That turned out OK, but we were looking for more.”
The Raptors are grateful for the continued support from local businesses in Falcon such as Domino’s and Slim Chickens, and greater Colorado Springs based sponsors like Daniel Long’s Chevrolet, Joe Betterman, Ground Up Personal Trainers and Leading-Edge Fundraising.
Banks’ No. 1 goal for the upcoming season is to gain more support in the form of sponsorships.
“I’ve taken a lot of money out of my own pocket to support my Raptors,” Banks said. “Definitely the biggest need is sponsorships to get the kids what they need to move forward with this football organization.”
With the proper funding, the Raptors can continue to grow and be a safe place for kids to learn and have fun in football and sideline cheerleading.
The upcoming 2024 football season will begin Aug. 1, with practices held at Dane R. Balcon Park every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The first game is tentatively scheduled for the first week of September.
Meanwhile, the program is hosting various summertime activities at Dane R. Balcon Park; these activities don’t require membership on the Falcon Raptors teams. Visit Falcon Raptors Facebook page for more information.
Personal training led by professionals from Ground Up will take place every first and second Saturday of the month, from 10 a.m. to noon; free conditioning days will also be held on Wednesdays, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Cheer camps will take place throughout the summer, too (dates were undetermined at the time of this publication).
For young athletes who want to see what the Raptors are all about, potential sponsors who would like to learn more or families looking for local entertainment, the program is hosting a “family fun day” at Dane R. Balcon Park July 7, from noon to 4 p.m. The entire community of Falcon is invited to enjoy raffles, lawn games, bounce houses sponsored by Bedel’s Big-Time Bouncies and snow cones sponsored by Little Bears.
Banks said, “It’s not just for the Raptors, it’s more for everyone — just letting everyone know that we do have a youth football and cheer association out here in Falcon. Come out and join our family!”
Contact Banks at 719-243-7750 or vice president Aaron Powell at 405-501-7474 for more information about the Falcon Raptors, including how to get involved in the program.
