Providing an opportunity to play football and encourage young men to volunteer to help others, Ronnie Vowell formed Arkansas Guardians.
Vowell, his wife, Amy, both of Rogers, along with Stacy Reuben, Cecil Moore, Carl Bishop and Torery Garrison, all from the Rogers/Bentonville area, "sat down and ... created our own football program," Vowell said. A teacher at Lingle Middle School, Vowell said he saw the need for continuing football for young men who didn't go on to college football.
"A year ago ... developed idea of creating education programs, fitness and nutrition for youth and young adults, and as a reward for our volunteers, they get to play football.
"Football is the vehicle that drives this machine," Vowell said, explaining that the group plays in the Central Football League against teams from Missouri like the Joplin Crusaders and from Oklahoma like the Tulsa Tornadoes and from Kansas.
He said Arkansas Guardians Inc. is a 5013C, a non-profit organization.
Last year, Vowell said he advertised the inception of the team and players from around the two county area turned out for try-outs. The team is for young men from 18 to 35 years of age.
"We've just started to grow," he said. The team plays in the old Blackhawk Stadium in Pea Ridge which was purchased by Todd and Lisa Crowder for an event center. Admission to Guardian games is $7 for adults with students and military free.
Vowell said he played football in high school and then went straight into the military. Now, he coaches eighth-grade football in Rogers.
"For those who played in high school, they can build on their skill set," he said, "and maybe get a walk on for college."
The Guardians play in the spring to avoid competing with high school, college and the NFL. "When die hard fans think football is over, they can come watch us," Vowell said. "They can get football year round."
The team depends on business and individual sponsors as well as fundraisers.
Uniforms are navy blue and Vegas gold, Vowell said. Referees are paid out of the money raised and some company sponsors give restricted donations specifying where it is to be spent. Practice is either in Pea Ridge or at Westside Elementary in Rogers.
There are 10 teams in the league and the top six teams get a spot in the playoffs, he said. He said the team finished the season 42/360 AA Minor League Football teams and the defense was ranked 15th.
Some of the volunteer activities in which the team members have been involved include a first-goal reading program for elementary-age students, mentoring at REAP Academy in Rogers, and visiting with high school students helping them fill out college applications.
"It's not so much football. Don't get me wrong, I love hearing the smacking of pads, yelling ... seeing the kids get excited when they see my players walk in," Vowell said. "To a 5-year-old kid, our guys are pro-football players."
"We fulfill our commitment and promise. We keep a log of community service hours," Vowell said, explaining that he requires 20 community service hours annually. "We want good moral character, good integrity. We pride ourselves on being a moral pillar in the community."
Sports on 09/03/2014