Youth football coach Jeffrey Gallardo raises funds for Fort Hall teams
Coach Jeffrey Gallardo (left) speaks to the Fort Hall Business Council in an effort to secure funds for new youth football league equipment on Thursday, April 4. Southeast Idaho Youth Football Commissioner Les Hernandez and Fort Hall Recreation manager Juan Rodriguez (right) were also in attendance on behalf of the teams.
By LIZZIE BOYD
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — In the pursuit to replace worn, outdated equipment, Fort Hall youth football coach Jeffrey “JD” Gallardo has seen some progress in his fundraising efforts.
He, along with players and parents (about 20 people total) met with Fort Hall Business Council members April 4 to request $25,000 to purchase 95 helmets, shoulder pads, jerseys and travel funds for the Fort Hall Warriors and Braves football teams. The kids who play on the team’s range in ages from 9-12 years old. Fort Hall Recreation manager Juan Rodriguez and Les Hernandez, Southeast Idaho Youth Football Commissioner, were also in attendance.
Gallardo described the existing equipment as, “old, outdated and not up to date with the current standards.” Some of the players had concussions that left him short of a full roster during the season.
Gallardo said in a separate interview he met with the current Recreation Manager Rodriguez, who said there wasn’t enough funds in the Recreation budget to replace the equipment. Jeffery took the issue to heart, started to brainstorm and came up with starting a non-profit for the football teams so he can apply for funding.
Gallardo read a request to the Council and explained his current safety concerns and about how much he currently fundraised which he expressed was about $6,670.00 at the time of the meeting.
Gallardo introduced the coaches and players in attendance, he also mentioned that three of the 5th and 6th grade Warriors players were selected to participate in the Idaho Bowl — Eres Eschief center-defensive end, Victor Sanchez quarterback, and Riggin Haggard running back-linebacker. The Idaho Bowl will be played at Brigham Young University Idaho on June 14.
There was plenty of discussion during the Council meeting, each Council member expressed their individual concerns and support of the request. Chairman Lee Juan Tendoy said “there’s history with the program,” as he recalled playing for the Fort Hall football team when he was growing up and shared his memories.
Rodriguez explained to the council there was not a budget amount for new football equipment in Recreation’s annual budget. He asked where the liability of the equipment would be under, and it was discussed and decided the liability would be under the non-profit group. Les Hernandez said, “there will be a reoccurring cost to recondition the equipment which could run about $1,200 to $1,300 every two to three years.” Council members said that would be a cost the non-profit would be responsible for. Hernandez said he will use his contacts to help assist the team to get a good deal on the equipment.
Rodriguez advised the FHBC on his plan to reorganize the football field, softball field and park area which is south of the Recreation area, which is already being done.
From left, Fort Hall youth football teams, Warriors and Braves for the Southeast Idaho Youth Football League 2024 season.
FHBC secretary Devon Boyer made the motion to approve the $25,000 request, Ladd Edmo said, “there was funds available to spend if the Council chooses to.” Boyer said “the kids are looking at a drug free future and are going to learn that through sports and are going to learn some leadership skills while doing it and we need to get into practice of supporting that.”
Nancy Eschief Murillo seconded the motion with five in favor and one not voting. The request was approved.
Edmo said, “thank you for the opportunity to provide for our youth, I think this is a step in the right direction to keep individuals to stay healthy and clean.” “It’s a challenge each child has the potential and we can’t tap into that unless we give them opportunity to perform.”
In an interview after the FHBC meeting, Rodriguez discussed the funding issue and said, “It’s a big expenditure and it’s not currently budgeted in the Recreation budget to make that purchase” He explained Recreation currently helps the kids out by assisting to pay the $125 league fee for each kid to play in the Southeast Idaho Youth Football League. Recreation then only asks parents to pay back the reduced rate of the player of $50 to Recreation. “This is a reduced rate, as in the past years, the cost for the players was $100.” He said they have seen a number increase in players that have joined the teams and believe the reduced player fee has contributed to the player increase.
Hernandez said, he grew up here in Fort Hall and played for Mike Sakelaris, and said he wants to do as much as he can to help out and give back to the community.
Hernandez also said the “technology in the helmets have significantly changed over the years, so the purchase of new helmets will extremely help with the concussion issues.”
Rodriguez also responded to the practice location, as there were comments the team was being kicked out of the current practice location, which is now south of the boxcar adjacent to the softball field and park areas.
Rodriguez said, “I like the concept that everything has its own designated space,” so he is designating an area for the teams to practice which is just south of the boxcar which the Recreation department will still maintain. The field is being reorganized to sit east and west south of the boxcar instead of north and south.
Rodriguez has been employed as the Recreation Manager for a year and five months. When asked if he is fair to all sports? He replied his love is basketball, but he also likes track and cross country. “I support all the sport groups, Recreation has supported baseball, we also supported the first youth warrior challenge, which was for both boys and girls.”
Rodriguez said the Recreation Department has two permanent employees and is advertising for two more full time employees. They are also cost sharing two other part time employees with the VAP program.
“If anyone wants to come and talk with me or has ideas to improve the program, I am open, I really love being the Recreation Manager and I want to keep improving and seeing change,” he said.
Hernandez said he would like to see more girls come out and play football.
In addition to sending out fundraising letters, Gallardo has also started a GoFundMe https://gofund.me/135e5f89 where donations can be made. The team also has a knife raffle that is posted on Jeffery’s social media Facebook page. The raffle is $10 per ticket or $30 for an arm’s length, which is about 10-12 tickets.
