PHOTOS: GYFL Graduation Bowl Becomes a Post-Thanksgiving Tradition at Cardinal Stadium

Friday, Nov 25, 2016 marked the Greenwich Youth Football League’s Inaugural Graduation Bowl.

For many years this event has been just an idea in the works, but on Friday the inaugural Graduation Bowl finally became a reality.

The concept behind the event was to unify all the athletes graduating from the GYFL as they finish their final season.

The coaches mix up the players at random, having them play together rather than against any specific team. Regardless of whether the boys were on the Bulldogs, Crushers, Gators, Generals, Mavericks, or Raiders, they all mixed together to create the Red and Gold teams.

Friday November 25, 2016 marked the Greenwich Youth Football League’s Inaugural Graduation Bowl. Credit: Elizabeth Budinoff

Re-shuffling the players helps symbolize that the athletes will all become one team as they rise to Greenwich High School. The same concept applied to the cheerleading squads. They all wore their own team’s uniforms but cheered together for both teams.

The Graduation Bowl is a great learning experience for the players. The players gain the opportunity to realize that football is more than just winning or losing. All of the boys in the GYFL are Greenwich residents and they get to unite as a community rather than competitors.

“There’s something magical about the game of football. It has a profound way of impacting young boys lives for the better. It’s not just about the X’s and O’s. It teaches life lessons and prepares them for the future,” said Frank Sarcone, President of the GYFL board.

“It breaks down barriers,” he continued. “Eventually what they realize is that it’s not always about winning or losing. It’s about being the best you can possibly be and always trying your hardest.”

The final score was 20-6, with the Red team victorious. Regardless of the score, the day was an overall success and the GYFL plans to make the Graduation Bowl into a tradition!