The year 2005 was a fine year for the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Brookline Recreation Center. Thanks to the Act 47 recovery plan our doors were re-opened in February. Since then many wonderful things have happened throughout the city of Pittsburgh, with several right here in Brookline.

One of these things was our Fall Flag Football League, which attracted over sixty kids ages 11 through 14. The league brought these boys and girls together to play football every Saturday and Sunday for seven weeks. The games were competitive and everyone had fun. As the league coordinators, it was our pleasure to host such a fine group of talented kids.

None of this would have been possible without the dedication and enthusiasm of our many friends and volunteers. So many good people came together to make this league work. From the coaches making the decisions to the kids running to and fro helping with the orange marks, everyone did a fine job and they all deserve a round of applause.

Hats off to our coaches: Jimmy Perry, Rege Mandarino, Chuck Bonner, Dean Haskins, John DeMarco, Jim and Matt McGraw. These guys did a wonderful job managing their teams and getting all of their players involved. It wasn't always an easy job, but they were up to the task and their efforts are greatly appreciated by everyone involved with the program.

Thanks also to the many parents, boys and girls who helped out with many of the smaller, but no less important chores. Linsey McElroy, David Pinkerton, Russell Gettings, Andrew Moore, Wolkims Exameau, Chelsie McElroy, Jonathon Mihelcic, James Zeiler, Shelby Casper, Ryan Nelson, Detrick Humphrey, Jason Kollinger, Tiffaney Bonner, Jen Haskins, Cletus McConville, James Hancock, Rich O'Neill, Lois Gale, Matthew McHugh, Sonja Simpson, Coleman Tucker, Tom Feeney and Shane Feeney all come to mind. Anytime we needed a helping hand, one of them was there to lend it.

Behind the scenes, we got a lot of assistance from our partners with the city of Pittsburgh. Rod Perkins, Mike Radley, John Russo and Jim Krashna were all very helpful in facilitating the program. Recreation Center Director Michelle Underwood was supportive with her leadership and guidance. From our friends here in the community, Joe and Lisa Nicholas of the Brookline Knights Football Association were very generous in allowing us to use whatever equipment and materials we needed. And finally, the Brookline Little League Association was quite instrumental in making possible our move to Moore Park. Thanks folks!

From the University of Pittsburgh, Ethan Hull of the Intramural Department helped make possible our trip to the Cost Center for the championship game. It was a memorable way to end the season and everyone had a great time. Thanks also to Morgan Burton for taking the photos of the final game.

Last but not least, thanks to a good friend and former associate, Robert Mazzeo, for refereeing the majority of our games. Bobby worked for many years at the Brookline Recreation Center and was responsible for the first rendition of our flag football league back in 2002. It was nice to see Bobby coming back to be a part of our program.

Thanks Again Everyone! ... Clint and Dale

Trivia: Does anyone remember what team won the championship during that first season of flag football back in the fall of 2002? Was it Stahl Heating and Cooling, Sunrise Motors, J.R. Sports Bar or Grohl Ornamental? ........

Answer: J.R. Sports Bar - Team Color ... Maroon.

They struggled all season long, winning only two of nine games and finishing in last place. They came on with three straight wins at the end of the season to win the championship. The members of that first championship team were: Jason Hallmark (Team Captain), Mike Conlon, Brian Feeney, Marty Beyers, C.K. Mayo, Jordan Mihelcic and Josh Niswonger.