Fiscal Note
No expenditure is required.
Title
Commending and congratulating the Southside Raiders Football and Cheerleading Program on its 40th anniversary.
Body
WHEREAS, the Southside Raiders youth football team was founded in 1970 by Will Boyd Smith, who taught his players that going out and doing their very best would make them winners, even if the score didn't reflect that; and
WHEREAS, the Raiders are one of the oldest and smallest of the 20 programs in the Dane County Area Youth Football League; and
WHEREAS, the program was built on the principles of pride in who they are and respect for themselves, their teammates, their families and their community, all the while working hard to be better players, students, family members, community members and friends; and
WHEREAS, in addition to developing skills on the field, the coaches and other volunteers strive to help players make good life choices; and
WHEREAS, the Raiders are a neighborhood institution with a long tradition of uniting community members and building character among team members; and
WHEREAS, the Raiders are Respectful, Accountable, Involved, Disciplined, Enthusiastic, Resilient and exhibit Sportsmanship; and
WHEREAS, there are three Raiders teams and two cheer squads with over 100 players ranging from fourth through eighth grade; and
WHEREAS, many former Raiders have gone on to play sports at the high school, college and professional levels, including Academic All-Americans Jeff Mack and Candace Smith of the University of Wisconsin; Reece Gaines of Louisville University, the Orlando Magic, Houston Rockets and Milwaukee Bucks; Derek Stanley of UW-Whitewater, the St. Louis Rams and the Toronto Argonauts; and two-time Super Bowl champion Tyrone Braxton of the Denver Broncos;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Common Council commend and congratulate the Southside Raiders Youth Football and Cheerleading Program on its 40th anniversary.