Marple Jr Tigers: Six Decades of Positive Leadership in Youth Sports

Hometown Sports feature article by Liz Burnett

Photos courtesy of Laurie DeCola

Since 1959, the Marple Jr Tigers Football and Cheerleading Association (MJT) has provided for boys and girls ages 5-14 who live in or attend a school in the Marple Newtown School District a Football and Cheerleading program that promotes the fundamentals, physical and mental conditioning, good sportsmanship, and fair play. Many of our Readers are very familiar with MJT’s programs, having participated themselves as a kid and/or having their own kids or even grandkids participating. To discover the “secret sauce” that has enabled MJT to serve our community so well for 60 years, we interviewed Newtown Square resident and longtime MJT Cheer Program Coach Laurie DiCola.

Laurie first connected with MJT in 2006, when her sister was Director of MJT’s Cheer Program and her niece was a Cheerleader. That was also the year MJT added the Flag Football and Cheer Programs for boys and girls ages 5+6. Laurie’s son would be playing Flag Football that year, so when she was asked to coach the new Flag Cheer Program, she agreed to “give it a shot.”

To be honest,” admitted Laurie, “I was never a cheerleader myself, but there was something about it that came naturally to me. I had learned enough from watching the women who coached my niece to be able to assume the role.

MJT Cheer Coach Jackie Evans (L) and Laurie DiCola (R) with MJT PEE WEE Cheer Teams who won 1 st Place at Haverford Competition in December

Laurie proved to indeed be a natural: She eventually became MJT’s Director of Cheerleading while continuing to coach the Cheer Teams for various age groups.

MJT Senior Football Team (7th & 8th graders)

As Laurie’s son proceeded in MJT’s several Football levels and Laurie continued coaching the Cheer Teams, she says “MJT was the focal point of my life. It became an identity.” It was a job she says she never took lightly. She also knows she could never have accomplished so much without the support and help from parents and other volunteers, for whom she is still very grateful. “Along the way, we faced challenges and shared much success, all of which I feel strengthened us as a community,” Laurie said confidently. “MJT has flourished due to the countless volunteers who have donated their time, energy, and experience to ensure that this youth sports program would thrive. The dedication from parents and volunteers is the driving force behind the longevity of the program.”

Even though Laurie has no daughters, being an MJT Cheer Coach has given her the opportunity to be like a mother to hundreds of girls. When Laurie’s son exited MJT’s Football program after 8th grade, her continuous years as a Cheer Coach also came to an end. But the impact of the experience never left her. When her son headed off to college and she was again asked to help coach the Flag and Pee Wee Cheer Teams (ages 5-8), she was thrilled. “It was exactly what I needed, and I welcomed the invitation!” said Laurie. “Coaching at the youngest levels is both very challenging and rewarding. My goal is always to hopefully start them off on the right path and form good habits early. If the girls are progressing and having fun at the same time, I know we are succeeding as an organization.”

(L to R) Amanda DiStefano, Laurie DiCola and Katie Fusaro

Laurie’s 13 years of coaching and working with MJT youth, their parents and great program leaders such as Amanda DiStefano, Katie Fusaro, Steve Reynolds and Kevan Strigle have given her firsthand proof that this program is “so much more than first-place trophies and championships. The joy comes from the relationships and friendships formed, and the mentoring of young children through a sport we are all passionate about.” MJT is a “feeder program” into Marple Newtown High School. Laurie feels honored and proud to have coached many of the MN Tiger High School Cheerleaders who now are at the top of their sport.

For many years, studies and personal experiences have proven that youth sports programs with positive leadership build strong communities. Marple Jr Tigers Coaches, Program Directors and other volunteers continue to help today’s kids prepare for a world that runs best on the principles of sportsmanship and fair play.