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Freeport Youth Football in Trouble Save Email Print
Posted: 5:25 PM Jun 6, 2008
Last Updated: 7:45 PM Jun 6, 2008
Reporter: Alex Denis


A | A | A

Football is arguably the most popular sport in this area. Many players begin suiting up when they're just young kids, but a group of Freeport boys may not be able to take the field this fall.

It's been a very emotional month for the volunteers of the youth football league in Freeport, and it all started when they discovered more than 10,000 of the league's money disappeared from the bank. Some of the parents say the league's former president took the money and left town. Now they're doing everything they can to raise the money in time for this season.

These four parents have been meeting for weeks now, trying to pay delinquent bills and secure some football equipment. They say their headaches started about a month ago when the league's former president left town.

Vice President Phillip Ruckers took over and quickly realized there was a problem.

Phillip Ruckers, the league's new president, said, "When we finally got into the bank account and found out we were in the hole over $500 it was quite the shock it made us physically ill, sick."

Through their investigations, volunteers determined the money started disappearing in December, and it was much more than they originally thought.

The grant is the main source of funding for the league. Some of the canceled checks were written to cash, others to grocery stores and home repair centers, and they claim the league's former president signed checks for hundreds of dollars made out to himself.

Walton County sheriff's investigators are working the case and are trying to locate the suspect. In the meantime, the parents are paying league bills out of their own pockets, but they're running out of money and time.

Coach Jimmy Decker said "Everybody's talking about how they hate that it's happen, but we need help."

Ruckers is taking this especially hard. He says he doesn't want to have to tell the children they don't have anywhere to play.

"I love this town. I grew up in such a rural area and never had anything like this."

Yolanda Fortin, cheerleading coach, said, "Freeport may be a small town, but when it comes to heart it seems bigger than the big cities."

To help raise money, the children are holding car washes and bake sales. The next car wash will be held on June 21st at Kelly's in Freeport off of Highway 20.

If you'd like to help the Freeport youth football league you can make donations to Youth Football and Cheerleading of Freeport, Inc.

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Posted by: Freeport Parent Location: Freeport on Jul 24, 2008 at 03:05 PM
As i stated before i have had children in this league for many years ( they play youth football in south walton now)i was involved and helped every way i could wether it be manning a grill or picking up trash..i did it. i also hung around for a few meetings and know for fact the said accused was not the only one on the checking account. with an attitude like you have shown in your post..it is not suprising you dont have help. Parents.. South Walton Youth Football has there stuff together and nice people to boot..just a short drive from freeport who from what i heard doesnt even backround check its coaches.

Posted by: Yolanda Location: Freeport on Jul 13, 2008 at 03:59 AM
first of all I would like to thank Classic cookie and anyone that has helped YF&CF for their support. Unfortunately we do not receive the same support from our so called coaches. Once again only 3-4 people are the only ones fighting for our kids. Second mentioning ones name in unlawful slander. Third the prior accused whether they did or did not do this was the only person with access to the checking account. Fourth i thought the parents and citizens of Freeport cared I was soooo wrong. Guess I moved to the wrong town.Do not get me wrong some say they do but as I have always been taught ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS!

Posted by: a lady in freeport Location: freeport on Jun 20, 2008 at 07:43 AM
Lets support our children any way we can and lets rally together and help these children . There will be a home made red velvet cake at the bake sale hope some one will love it. Im sure they will get a good donation for it. Good luck children You have good supporters in our town and looking forward to see you on the field because Im sure our town will not let you down, our town is going through alot of recession right now but I know we can dig into our pockets a little more to help all we can.

Posted by: Just wondering Location: Freeport on Jun 19, 2008 at 05:58 PM
why does no one mention this said person's name?

Posted by: Freeport Parent Location: Freeport on Jun 18, 2008 at 09:05 PM
Funny this " said " person blamed another..one has to wonder if it wasnt this person or persons in the first place.Obviously this said person got away with it before why should this said person not do it i again. I had children in the league for many years and all was well until the new president took over. Now look.. seems to me he tried to frame another last year to hide his indescretions. Mr Rucker i wish you the best...i know you will do what is right by these children.. good luck to you and your board...dont be afraid to ask for help in any way shape or form... Parents of the league..step up pitch in, its a hard thankless job.. but in the end it is WORTH it.i look foward to watching this league re-grow

Posted by: Phillip Rucker Location: Freeport on Jun 8, 2008 at 06:19 PM
Thank-you for taking the time to watch and read what has happened to the Youth of Our Town. With all that has heppened there are a few that would like nothing more than to have OUR Youth Football team fold. I promise all that I will do my VERY best to make this never happen. There will be a change for the better MOSTLY for the kids of our Town. Please back me and Our Youth of Freeport. I believe We can make a place for kids to learn, become Cheerleaders and Football players and have fun. Come see our field house, sign up your children, join us! Any donation, how ever small will be Greatly appreciated. One is never too small, to be a big help. Thank-you for your time, and help. Phillip Rucker Freeport Youth Football

Posted by: MAD AS HELL PARENT Location: Fl on Jun 8, 2008 at 12:28 PM
I cant believe that a person that all these small kids looked up to and loved could do this. All the kids on the league couldn,t wait to be on the team this person coached. He was a great coach but obviously a terrible inhumane person. He lied, stole and betrayed our kids and the youth league. He disrespected everything that Freeport stands for. When he took the Pres. position we had a prior person accused of doing this and he insisted that he would never allow another person to do this. He is a hyprocrit and deserves to spend every minute of prison time he receives. What is this teaching these children? THen should realize that they did wrong and turn themselves in.

Posted by: dave Location: nebraska on Jun 7, 2008 at 07:32 AM
Youth football teaches life lessons like no other activity. Let me hlp with some free coaching materials from http://winningyouthfootball.com have someone call me or e-mail me through the site.

Posted by: Leona King Location: Freeport on Jun 6, 2008 at 11:19 PM
It's a very sad story and I hope it reaches everyones heart strings and they reach into their wallets and donate to help these children. I also hope they catch the suspect and he pays for his evil deeds against innocent children. Everyone one should come to Kelleys and support the Freeport Little League, any and all donates will be appreciated. These little angels deserve to play ball!!!It hurts my heart to think anyone can rob children, not only of their money but of their childhood trust. Lets give that trust and happiness back to the children and the town of Freeport .... Donate and if you can't donate money then volenteer!!!!! Have your car washed or bake some goods!!1 Every little bit helps!!! Do whatever you can....let's show these kids that people still care and are willing to do something to help them.

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