Community Support Makes 
AYFL Field a Reality
 

The AYFL's Raiders Cheerleaders unfurl a banner of thanks to Mr. Stephens for donating the field to the league.

"It took a lot of time, a lot of effort, and a lot of people to get this thing done," said Tony  Malarkey, Apalachin Youth Football League (AYFL) President, at the dedication ceremonies of  Stephens Memorial Park, the new AYFL field on Pennsylvania Avenue. Malarkey expressed the AYFL's heartfelt thanks to the community and local organizations who supported the project. 

The approximately 6 1/2 acre field which Bud Stephens donated to the AYFL looked flat,  but it had a 13' elevation from back to front.  A lot of dirt had to be moved to make the field flat. The Army Corps of Engineers had a two- to three-year waiting list, and bids from local contractors ranged from $47,000 to $81,000. 

Finally, Frank Lopke came to the rescue. "If we could afford the minimal charge, he'd do the rest," said Malarkey. Spring rains hampered the project, causing it to take much longer than anticipated.

Malarkey thanked the people who gave so much to the AYFL's field: Dave and Dede Stephens arranged for a flagpole to be erected near the monument stone; Stateline Quarries supplied the stone used for the monument which was unveiled near the park's entrance during the dedication; Jason Lewis, who donated his labor to cut the words into the memorial stone; Jerry Corson, who trucked logs, Jerry Purtell, who sawed logs into lumber, Dave Duffy, who donated the use of a dump trailer for more than 30 loads of stone; Wayne Middendorf for the use of a bale chopper for 29 round bales; Rick York, who sold seed and fertilizer to the AYFL at cost; the Owego Town Board; and the Apalachin Lions Club who donated $500 and then sweetened the gift by presenting the AYFL with a check for $1,000 at the dedication; the Joyce brothers, who cut logs; Pat Joyce, who put electricity in the building; Chris Stewart, who helped with legal issues and dealing with the town board; Tom Huack, who donated the use of a back blade; and Colleen Malarkey. 

 Tony Malarkey paid a special tribute to one of his business associates from Ohio who, although never having been to Apalachin, donated money and a very special item to the AYFL. Karl Fisher donated the flag which was given to him by the United States Marine Corps in 1974 at his father's funeral. Malarkey read a letter from Fisher which explained that his father, Master Sgt. Russell Fisher (pictured), a veteran of World War II and Korea,  "loved football and baseball and he'd be honored" to have his flag donated to the Apalachin Youth Football League.

 The Apalachin Youth Football League's Stephen Memorial Park has two fields ready now - the main football field in the front, and a combined soccer/flag football field in the back. The league plans to build a baseball field in the southeast corner, and a concession stand behind the memorial stone. Plans for the concession stand call for a 28' x 36' building which will contain a concession area, a board room, a room for equipment storage, an area for machinery storage, and bathrooms. The concession stand will be known as Lopke Field House.

 Malarkey said that this new park secures the future for the Apalachin Youth Football League which had been playing at the firemen's field grounds. "I'm proud of the accomplishments of our organization," said Malarkey, but, he added, nothing compares to seeing the accomplishments of the children of the Apalachin Youth Football League.
See Also AYFL's Field Dedicated to Joy Stephens