In recent years, Tyrone Wright, now a leader in the Bellview Youth Association, had lobbied for the Bellview Packers to be part of the Soul Bowl.
“He was one of the original kids at West Pensacola (team) when the Soul Bowl started,” said Lumon May, founder and executive director of the Southern Youth Sports Association, whose SYSA Tigers have been the longstanding host of the three-decade, youth football showcase event in Pensacola.
“He then played for me with the (SYSA) Tigers growing up,” May said. “He’s always asked me, ‘Coach, can you get me in the Soul Bowl? We want to play’ He has really wanted his kids to be part of it.”
This time, it’s going to happen.
In a breakthrough experience, the Bellview Packers will be the opposing set of teams in the rescheduled 34th annual Soul Bowl on Sunday (Nov.8) at Blue Wahoos Stadium. The event was originally set for Oct. 3, but inclement weather forced postponement, then the wrath of Hurricane Isaias a week-later cast more doubt on whether the Soul Bowl would be played this year.
It will. And under unique circumstances with the event on a Sunday.
It will be a full day of youth football beginning at 8 a.m. and going throughout the day at the bayfront stadium, which has been the host venue since the ballpark opened in 2012.
Pensacola attorney Troy Rafferty continues his role as presenting sponsor, along with the Blue Wahoos and other sponsors. Blue Wahoos owners Quint and Rishy Studer arranged to have the Soul Bowl staged at the ballpark, after being held at Legion Field (SYSA Tigers) and Magee Field (Rattlers) in opposite years.
“Ty’s done a good job with Bellview,” May said. “It’s his first year as park president. They’ve had some challenges down through the years and he brings some fresh leadership.
“I’m excited about doing something new,” he said. “It’s the opportunity to do something that has never been done… to add more games, add more kids playing. More kids will get exposure to the stadium.
“We will be able to match up better with our teams. Bellview has eight teams and we have eight teams. We have traditionally just played five games in the Soul Bowl, but now we’re able to add two more games and make it an even better day for Pensacola.”
The Soul Bowl began 34 years ago with youth football teams from New Orleans traveling to play West Pensacola’s youth league. The SYSA Tigers then became the host team and played teams from the Birmingham area.
For the past couple decades, it became the Albritton & Gant, then East Pensacola Rattlers, facing the SYSA Tigers in the Soul Bowl. The two city teams this year are now in different leagues, which opened the door for the Bellview Packers, located near Pine Forest High School, to become first-time participants.
“When you look at events you have to take risks to make a change,” May said. “We are doing that. We are investing in the future.
“We’ve been with (East Pensacola Rattlers) a lot of years and honestly things are transforming. Most of the coaches at Bellview are kids that came from the (SYSA) Tigers, so it’s a natural rivalry. Things evolve. We’re open to expanding. This won’t be the first year that we try something different.”
The Soul Bowl itself has become signature event. Pensacola stands out nationwide for having one of the largest, single-day, youth football events on the same field.
It has been the game where dreams were born for many of Pensacola’s legacy of NFL players when they were kids.
“It would not have happened without Quint and Rishy Studer. Quint is such a visionary. When Quint talked about moving the Soul Bowl to (Wahoos Stadium) I would have never thought it would be this big and we’d have this many kids and it’s the talk of the town.
This game is unique. Youth sports across the country envy what we do, because we have a community that cares and wants to give kids this opportunity. This means a lot to me to continue the legacy that Quint and I started. This was a brainchild of Quint and myself. And Quint puts out challenges and says, Can we do it. WE make a community better.”
The Blue Wahoos front office staff, led by head groundskeeper Willie Lawrence, a former referee and youth football coach, installed the goal posts last week at Blue Wahoos Stadium and helped prepare other elements of the field for the Soul Bowl.
It will be the only football day this year at the ballpark. Prior to the Oct. 3 game being postponed, the original Soul Bowl week kicked off Sept. 27 with “Soulful Sunday,” a church service bringing together organizers of both teams and supporters at the Greater Little Rock Baptist Church. That was followed by “Community Kickball” at Bill Gregory Park.
“The game has become such a part of the community fabric,” May said. “This (Soul Bowl event) is unique. Youth sports across the country envy what we do, because we have a community that cares and wants to give kids this opportunity. This was a brainchild of Quint and myself.
“And Quint puts out challenges and says, ‘can we do it?’ We are doing what I believe every community should do. It will be a great day for us and great day for this community.”
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: The 34th Annual Soul Bowl Youth Football
WHO: SYSA Tigers vs. Bellview Packers
WHEN: Sunday, begins at 8 a.m. with first game and extends throughout afternoon.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium.
ADMISSION: $12 in advance, $14 on Nov. 8.
PURCHASE OPTIONS: Online at www.bluewahoos.com or the stadium box office.
FORMAT: The first game will be the 6-under age division. It will be followed in order by various age divisions. Games could be adjusted according to time constraints.
POLICIES: No outside food or beverages permitted through gates. No coolers, no chairs, no pets. No re-entry to stadium after 4 p.m.