About our league
In 1995 Bill Hollenbeck, a Hall of Fame football coach from Glen Lake, wanted to start a youth football program that taught the basics and prepared kids to play in their middle and high school leagues. Knowing that youth development is a fundamental principal of the YMCA, Bill included the YMCA in the plans to start a youth football program that was safe, simple, and affordable. Together with other interested coaches, a Pop Warner National Affiliation was chosen for its simplicity and focus on safety. The first season saw 120 players on teams from Glen Lake, Traverse City, Frankfort, McBain, Benzie, and Elk Rapids.
Thirty years later, our league is now comprised of 31 towns; Benzie, Boyne City, Cadillac, Charlevoix, East Jordan, Elk Rapids, Evart, Frankfort, Gaylord, Glen Lake, Harbor Springs, Hart, Inland Lakes, Kingsley, Lake City, Ludington, Mancelona, Manistee, Manton, McBain, Petoskey, Pine River, Scottville, Traverse City, Brethern, Central lake, Forest Area, Marion, Mesick, Onekama, Pellston and Suttons Bay. Approximately 2000 young athletes participate in our league playing football and cheerleading.
Starting their football career in our Pop Warner league has given many young athletes an advantage that carries through onto their high school football fields, building strong teams that have claimed State Championship titles. Most recently, Kingsley High School in 2023!
