Every autumn, Easton's south side becomes a ghost town. Everyone is at Heil Park, screaming as the Li'l Rovers demolish yet another opponent. I know, because my grandson has played against these little monsters. The first time he played them, he spent a lot of time running in reverse. Visiting teams get nervous as soon as they see the nearby cemetery with a few open graves.But unlike many suburban youth football teams, these city kids don't run through giant helmets at the start of a game. They have no smoke machines to create a vapor trail as they run out onto the field. They just make sure the ambulances are there.
There is a field house, but it's little more than a 20' x 15' shack with no running water or bathrooms. Plans are currently underway to build a new, larger field house (20' x 80') which would include men's and women's bathrooms, locker rooms, concession stand and a 2nd floor storage room. But the cost of this new facility is $140,000, and south side residents have only raised half of that money so far. Contractors working on the project (The Architectural Studio, Charles Chrin, Amato Bros, and Alfero Construction) have agreed to donate some materials and labor at little or no cost. This new field house will be used by football, baseball, soccer and cheerleading and various youth groups from the City of Easton.
Last night, a group of Big Rovers, led by Ed Black, asked Northampton County Council to kick in $5,000 towards the cost of this field house. He brought an Easton High School Senior with him, who nervously explained his best friends are the people he met playing there. "They're like a second family to me."
Imperious Ann McHale, instead of looking sternly at this young man, beamed as he spoke. "You did a great job!" she told him. Ron Angle added, "Easton ought to have about five hundred more kids like you."
It does. That's about how many kids participate in the football program alone. And when they're play football or any other sport, they tend to steer clear of gangs and drugs.
Councilman Grube, who coached at Easton High School for about seven thousand years, added his own feelings. "Let me tell you, kids from South Side Easton are for real."
Instead of getting $5,000, the 'Lil Rovers are walking away with twice that amount. The only council member voting against this grant was John Cusick, who never explained his opposition.
You can make your own donation, with a check payable to "Li'l Rovers Field House" and sent to Wachovia Stones Crossing Financial Center, 3840 Freemsburg Avenue, Easton, PA 18045 Attn: Bruce.
If you have any questions, call Ed Black at 610-905-5433.
