1968
In 1968, Medina Youth Football was born. It all began when Chet Cypher, a local physical therapist, placed an ad in the paper asking if anyone would be interested in helping form a football team for boys (then called pee-wee football). He wasn’t sure if he would get a single response. “A meeting of interested parties” would be held. Chet hoped for the best.
Several men responded to Chet’s ad and the meeting was held. Out of this meeting, a mission was created to provide boys ages 9 to 13 the opportunity to play football, “the greatest sport ever invented” according to Sam Gorfido, Medina’s first head varsity coach. “We wanted to teach them lessons about hard work, dedication to team, and about winning and losing. But most of all, it was about playing the game and the life lessons learned through participation.” According to Sam, Medina Youth Football wasn’t formed to train boys to become high school players, but rather to allow all boys the opportunity to experience the game of football on the field.
Medina formed the Mustangs in 1968. In that first year 49 boys signed up to play. Personal I.O.U.’s were given to buy the equipment and uniforms from a local sports store in town. “We pretty much had to take what we could get” recalled Sam. “Our uniforms were red, white, and blue.” Those were the jerseys available with short notice. Pads arrived just in time for the first game against Rittman. “We didn’t even have a chance to practice before our first game”, lamented Sam. Practices were held at the Fairgrounds and games were played on the high school field (now Medina’s soccer stadium). The league consisted of three teams from Wadsworth; the Redskins, Green Dragons, and Black Panthers. Also, the league had teams from Rittman and Black River. The varsity Mustangs were 0-5-1 that first year. Every game was a challenge, and Sam knew the hard work and dedication from the boys would eventually produce a winning team. The Mustang J.V. team was quite successful that year, making the playoffs.
1969
In 1969 the league directors in Wadsworth thought that Medina should have as many teams as Wadsworth. Afterall, the communities were about the same size and Wadsworth had three teams — why shouldn’t Medina? Sam Gorfido’s assistant coach and Head J.V. coach, Don Tripepi agreed to start a new team in just the second year of Medina’s participation in the league. The Medina Colts were born. Don served as the first head varsity coach for the Colts. In that second year the Mustang’s realized Sam’s vision and were indeed a winning team, playing in the league championship game losing to the Wadsworth Black Panthers 18-8. Also, in that second year, with a little more time to plan, Sam was able to purchase new jerseys for the Mustangs. The team had a new look and new colors: black, white, and Sam’s favorite football color–orange!
1970
In 1970, Medina created its third team, equaling Wadsworth’s number of teams. The Medina Broncos were born. That year the Mustangs continued their success by once again participating in the league championship game, this time losing in double overtime 12-6 to the Redskins. The Mustangs were unscored on until that final game.
During the initial years funds were raised with paper drives, bake sales, pancake dinners and the like. Also a concession stand sold homemade baked goods at the games. “We had some of the most wonderful women who helped us”, recalled Sam. “We could not have accomplished anything without the support of the Moms.” In 1971, a plan was put together to allow the youth football teams to use a vacant part of Reagan Park for a playing field. Bill Dunn, Medina’s recreation director, was instrumental in making this happen. Old poles and lights from a baseball field in Grafton were transported to Reagan Park and installed by Ohio Edison. Sam Gorfido, a mason contractor by trade, led a team of volunteers who built the fieldhouse (which still stands today). “All labor was donated to the cause” said Sam. “We were very lucky that so many people helped. Even Ohio Edison donated their labor.”
The initial success of Medina Youth Football was a result of a well thought out vision and a lot of citizens who cared enough to make something happen for the kids of Medina. From their labors, they created a foundation of excellence, which still remains today.
We Thank Our Founders
MYFA would like to thank the following founders for beginning the legacy 41 years ago!
Chet Cypher
Sam Gorfido
Don Tripepi
Fred Marshall
Dudly Hendricks
Neil Strouph
Beech Stevenson
Bill Bryson
Harry Orr, Sr.
John Meyers
About Wadsworth Youth Football
The Wadsworth Youth Football, WYFA was founded over thirty years ago in Wadsworth Ohio. They started with just 6 teams from the Wadsworth area. WYFA has since grown to 17 teams/leagues from 11 cities and towns in Medina, Summit and Wayne counties.
The vision of the founders was to provide the smaller, ‘featherweights’ the opportunity to learn and play football without the fear of going up against the big kids. Thus, the low weight limit rules that are in place. Players are eligible between the ages of 8 and 13 and are generally grouped by size and age. See our ‘Information’ page for the player levels and weight limits. In spite of the lower weight limits, a very high percentage of high school players in the participating cities started out on a WYFA/MYFA team.
