TD Banknorth donates toward football program

The ongoing effort to re-establish football in Aroostook County received a huge boost recently when TD Banknorth pledged $5,000 toward efforts to develop a lighted field for games played on the organization’s U.S. Route 1 property in Caribou.
    Banknorth’s Michael Kelley Sr., executive vice president, and Michael Kelley Jr., vice president, made the presentation to Aroostook Football players Matt Harris, Ryan Jones and Lucas Richards. Also representing the league were Stu Wyckoff and Dick Engels, founding directors and current coaches.
The bank’s donation has been earmarked to help pay for a state-of-the-art scoreboard that will be located at one end of the main playing field.
“We felt that Aroostook Football’s volunteers have done an outstanding job her in The County of providing a new activity that many young people who have otherwise not participated in organized school sports,” said Kelley Sr.
“We are impressed with and supportive of the emphasis on character building ideals that the program leadership stresses. There have been numerous examples of successes in team building, leadership, family values and the simple joy of playing the game in an organized and safe environment,” he added.
Kelley Jr. added, “We would like to challenge other area businesses to step up and support the development of the new field.”
Wyckoff said the bank’s logo will be prominently displayed on the scoreboard as a reminder of the generosity of TD Banknorth.
“It’s great to have local businesses get behind us and our program. Having a state-of-the-art scoreboard is going to make it seem like we are playing in the ‘big time.’ I can’t wait to get out there on our new field. The scoreboard is going to be amazing,” said Harris.
Aroostook Football is entering its fifth season in northern Maine. Starting with just 13 players in 2003, the program has grown to provide meaningful football experience annually for approximately 100 high school-aged players from communities throughout Aroostook County.
Next year, Aroostook Football will launch a middle school program to serve an even greater number of area youth. Current plans call for the completion of the new field in time for the fall 2009 football season.