2026 Board Members
Equipment for Football
The Club Provides
- Shoulder pads
- Helmet
- Practice jersey
- Game jersey
Parents Provide
- Padded black football pants (must cover the knees)
- Black socks
- Football cleats
- Cup
- Mouthpiece — cannot be black; must be a different color than the helmet and uniform
- Water bottle
Where to Buy
Brands that fit our gear: Schutt, Rawlings, Champro, Adidas, Riddell, Under Armor, Nike.
Physicals & Birth Certificate
Required before your player can tackle
Every player MUST have a physical and a birth certificate on file with our team. For football, both must be turned in before a player can tackle.
- Download the physical form from the Jr Pacers website.
- If your child has seen a physician since November 1, 2025, take the form to that physician to complete, sign, and date.
- The physical must cover your child for the entire season, regular and post-season.
Physicals are due at the start of practice on July 30. If your child's physical is not turned in, they will not be able to participate in practice on Monday, August 3.
Due July 30 · No physical = no tackle Aug 3Football Practice
First day of practice: Monday, July 20.
Time & place: 5:30–7:30pm at Smith Park, Monday through Thursday until the week school starts. After that, 3 days a week, 5:30–7:30pm.
Practice starts at 5:30pm — players should be on the field, fully equipped, ready to go by 5:25pm. There is an acclimation period of practices before your child can tackle.
We value your time and will do our best to finish by 7:30pm.
Good to Know
- Bring water to every practice. The club has coolers, but we run through them fast in the heat.
- Parents may bring lawn chairs and are encouraged to stay and watch.
- If you don't stay, you must be within 15 minutes of the park in case you're needed.
- Need a ride for your player? Reach out to a coach to help coordinate.
- Please pick up all belongings, trash, and equipment after each practice so we keep our partnership with Smith Park.
Games
Our league is the COYFL — Central Ohio Youth Football League, based out of New Albany.
All games are played on Sundays. First game is Sunday, August 23, with games running through the end of October.
Parents will not be allowed on the track or sidelines during games this year. Only coaches, and team moms if needed, are allowed on the sidelines with the team.
Weigh-Ins — Ball-Carrier Weight Limits
Each grade level has a maximum weight to carry the ball (positions like Quarterback, Running Back, Wide Receiver). Players weigh in at the start of the first game. Over the limit means they can't play one of these positions.
| Grade Level | Max Weight |
|---|---|
| 3rd–4th grade | 100 lbs |
| 5th grade | 115 lbs |
| 6th grade | 125 lbs |
Parent Conduct
Our organization will not tolerate any bad behavior by parents during any time with the Jr Pacers organization — this includes all practices and game days.
Communication Boundaries
We recommend that feedback about a game, playing time, coaching, etc. go to your coach first. Please wait at least 24 hours after a game or practice to speak with your player's coach. This gives parents, coaches, and players time to reflect and self-evaluate.
Home Game Volunteers
We need at least 3 parents on concessions and 3 parents on the chain gang during every home game. Once the fall schedule is out, a SignUp Genius will go to all parents.
- Please don't sign up for concessions during your own child's game — pick a game when they're not playing.
- Chain gang is a great way to volunteer and be down on the field watching the kids play.
Staying in the Loop
Team Communication — Teamlinkt App
Our program uses the Teamlinkt app for all team communication. Once teams are formed, you'll get an invitation to join your team. This is your main way to get information during the season.
Team Moms Needed
Interested in being a team mom for your child's team? Reach out:
Supporting the Club
Fundraising
Our club holds a fundraiser each season — our annual spaghetti dinner / raffle in October at Dempsey Middle School. Our Yeti Cooler raffle is already live on the website. We'll need many volunteers and items for raffle baskets — more details to come.
Sponsorship — We're a 501(c)(3)
Jr Pacers Youth Football and Cheer is a non-profit organization. If you have a connection to a business that would like to sponsor our program, please contact a board member — sponsorship forms are available at the meeting.
Kroger Community Rewards
Jr Pacers is part of the Kroger Community Rewards program — Kroger contributes a small percentage of your purchases back to the club each quarter, at no cost to you.
- Log into your Kroger account online or in the Kroger app.
- Go to Rewards → Community Rewards → Find an organization.
- Search for Jr Pacers Football and Cheer, then click Enroll.
- You must have a rewards card registered to your account — scan it at checkout for purchases to count.