Dear Editor:
Parsippany has always been at its best when we rally around our kids.
That is why I am asking families across town to take a serious look at the
Parsippany Little Vikings Rumble Football Program for 2nd graders. The team
currently needs more players to field a full roster for the upcoming MCYFL
season, and I believe this is about much more than football.
Youth sports have a powerful way of teaching lessons that are hard torecreate anywhere else. Teamwork. Listening. Effort. Habit. Practice. Progress. Leading. Following. They learn that sometimes you get knocked down, and then you get back up. They learn how to be coached, how to encourage teammates, how to handle disappointment, and how to celebrate success without arrogance. As both a youth soccer coach AND an HR
professional who has hired college students and graduates for 20 years, these aren’t just sports skills – they are life skills that breed success for decades. I would go out of my way to hire candidates with athletic experience because I was confident that they possessed these skills.
At the second-grade level, it’s not about wins and losses. It is about
confidence, discipline, camaraderie, sportsmanship, and belonging. For a
child who may be shy, unsure, or trying something new for the first time,
simply putting on a jersey and joining a team can be a major step forward.
For a child who already loves sports, a program like Little Vikings can help
channel that energy into structure, responsibility, and positive peer
relationships.
The value extends to families as well. Youth sports give families a new
rhythm and a new reason to come together. Practices and games become part of
the weekly routine. Parents meet other parents. Friendships form on the
sidelines. Families have another reason to cheer for something local and
meaningful. In a time when so much of childhood can feel fragmented by
screens, packed schedules, and competing demands, youth sports provide a
shared experience that brings people together.
I have experienced this firsthand – coaching has added tremendous value to
my own life. I have seen kids grow in confidence over the course of a
season. I have seen parents become friends. I have seen children learn that
their effort matters, that their attitude matters, and that being part of a
team means showing up for others. Those experiences are a big part of why I
am now proud to support and sponsor the Little Vikings program.
There is also a broader community value. Programs like Little Vikings help
build pride and spirit in Parsippany. They create memories for children and
families. They strengthen the connection between our neighborhoods, our
schools, and our local athletic programs. They also help support the future
of football in Parsippany by introducing young players to the game in a
positive environment.
Naturally, some parents may have understandable questions or concerns about
football. That is fair. Football is a contact sport, and safety must always
be taken seriously. In my view, that is another reason why a program like
Rumble matters. For a young boy who is interested in trying football, this
is a chance to learn the game the right way: with coaches who focus on
fundamentals, safety, sportsmanship, and protecting one another.
Good youth coaches like ours do more than teach a sport. They teach kids how
to listen, how to prepare, how to respect teammates and opponents, and how
to play with control. They help young athletes understand that toughness is
not recklessness, and confidence is not arrogance. From what I have seen,
the Little Vikings coaches care deeply about teaching players how to play
safely, protect themselves, support their teammates, and represent
Parsippany with pride.
No youth sport is for every child, and every parent should make the decision
that is right for their family. But if your second grader has shown interest
in football, or if you are simply wondering whether this might be a good
fit, I would encourage you to consider the Rumble program. Sometimes the
best way for a child to find out whether a sport is for them is to try it in
a supportive environment surrounded by caring adults and other kids who are
learning right alongside them.
A full roster is not just a number. It is the difference between a team
existing or not existing. It is the difference between children having the
chance to play or missing out. It is the difference between a community
opportunity being available or disappearing for this group of second
graders.
You can register for Rumble football using this link:
https://registration.teamsnap.com/form/54032. Please consider sharing it
with your Parsippany friends with boys going into 2nd grade and let them
know about this amazing program, too. I’ll see you on the sidelines in the
Fall!
Chris Fitzpatrick
Parsippany resident, youth sports coach, & sponsor of the
Parsippany Little Vikings Football Program
