West Orange PAL Celebrates 50 Years!

I remember when I found out that I was having a boy.  I grew up with one sister, no sports, and except for supporting the Monsignor Farrell Football Team during my high school years on Staten Island, my exposure to football was limited at best.  My first son played Flag Football with Rec, but was otherwise disinterested.  My younger son (yes, two boys!), however, was a different story.

Mountaintop Soccer, REC Flag.  In second grade, he wanted to try baseball, and thus began our love affair with the West Orange PAL.

Andrew was an OK baseball player.  He was afraid to hit the ball, and struck out a lot.  But he was a hard worker, a good learner and never complained.  His payoff came in his last two years with PAL baseball.  He was on the West Orange Elks team and they took home the championship in a final nail biter, where Andrew actually hit a ground ball to right field that turned the tide of the game.  We enjoyed our weeks at the PAL field, volunteering at the snack bar, making friends, and appreciating all the time that the PAL coaches put in to teaching the kids.

After playing Flag football through fifth grade, Andrew decided that he wanted to try tackle football.  Of course, I was not happy.  Any protective Mom worries!  But in the summer after fifth grade, our little novice started training.  His first season was limited due to a hairline fracture of the femur, but he stood with his team, went to all the practices, and managed to get a few plays in towards the end of the season.  We always told him, you make the commitment, you follow it through.  His JV and Varsity years (7-8) were a different story.  Andrew seemed to flourish as he built his strength and started hitting.  Although his teams did not win championships, they showed much promise and talent.  The highlight of our three years with PAL football was Andrew receiving the Albanese Award, which is given to the player that most embodies the Spirit of PAL. Things like dedication, hard work, sportsmanship, leadership, and cooperation.

So now, in 2012, PAL is celebrating 50 years of service to the kids of West Orange.  As my family and I have come to know the coaches, players, and their families, we have come to appreciate the true spirit of West Orange and the caliber of people that live here.  We have seen first hand the dedication that the PAL organization has to provide our kids with a quality introduction to baseball, football, kickball and more, an experience that will translate into the rest of their lives as well.  Not only does PAL stress commitment to athletics, it also stresses excellence in character. Any organization that does that for 50 years should be celebrated!

They say the 'proof is in the pudding'.  Andrew just finished his freshman football year as one of the team's outstanding players.  The high school coaches are happy to have him on the team, and so is he.  His work ethic is strong both in his academics and on the field.  Our belief is that PAL has played a part in that, and that they are an organization worth supporting.

Go to www.wopal.org for more information.