HOST FAMILIES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE EAST WEST ALL-STAR GAME

The involvement and dedication of the host families that provide comfortable sleeping arrangements, transportation and LOTS of food and beverages for the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association East West All-Stars are one of the major reasons why the game has received rave reviews from the players who have participated.
Tom Bradley, the Altoona Area School District’s Director of Public Relations who serves as a member of the PSFCA Steering Committee, has recruited host families each year and works with them to make sure each player has a positive experience.
Bradley said, “These host families are by far the best ambassadors we have for the game. They roll out the red carpet every year and treat each player as one of their own children. Six families have served for all six years and a vast majority have hosted players more than once.”
Life-long friendships are forged. Most of the host families stay in touch with their players as they move on to college and some attend games all over the east coast.

“The players have always been cooperative and enjoyable. My children get to see the players in a different light. They are not just excellent football players, they are good students and good people and they are all around individuals. Out of the eleven players we have had we are in touch with at least four on a regular basis. We have even traveled to watch them play at their colleges,” said Jeff and Angela Fink, Seven Year Host Family.

Many stay in touch by e-mail and/or letters. When former players return to Blair County for any reason, a visit with their former host family is the rule more than the exception. Bradley noted, “When our host families return their evaluation forms each year, they always rave about the experience and say that it is very difficult to turn the players back to their moms and dads. Last year, one of our new host moms said she spent most of Sunday following the game in heaving sobs.

“You meet some really great kids and you also get to meet their families. We help with a lot of school events and area events and it is always a great experience meeting such exceptional people. In the past we have taken the boys to The Meadows, miniature golfing and to the batting cages. We pay for all of those things; we don’t expect the boys to pay for things that we take them to do. We always host two players that way they have someone to pal around with. We also have friends that host players (we both get players who will be on the same team) and it is nice to be able to go and do things as a group. Over the years we have hosted between 14 and 16 players; we keep in touch with both the players and the families,” said John and Jane Gearhart, Seven Year Host Family.

“The players have similar feelings. It’s rare for a scholarship application to come back that doesn’t have a paragraph or two extolling the virtues of the host families.”
PSFCA host families have a variety of backgrounds. Some are families that have sons who currently play high school, junior high or elementary football. Some are couples without any children. Even some retired folks, whose children are now out of the house, have put their empty bedrooms to good use. One retired couple is happy to provide homes for four players each year.

“It is a wonderful experience! They are exceptional young men; they are great athletes and also smart. It is also great for my daughter, she gets to experience brothers for the week. These are boys who are going on to further their education and make something of themselves. It is also a wonderful experience to meet the players’ families. We have had players in the past call and meet us at Penn State to watch a game or watch them play. We have also met them in Pittsburgh for a hockey game and dinner. We have even had the players families stop at the house if they are in town for a quick visit,” said Scott and Amy Woomer, Five Year Host Family.

Since the inaugural game in 2001, a total of 98 different families have opened up their homes and their hearts for the players as well as their parents. Most of the families return each year and the list of new host families keeps growing. There are a total of 33 host families this year, 21 families have 3 or more years experience and 6 families have hosted all seven years.

2007 EAST WEST ALL STAR GAME HOST FAMILIESast West All Star Game Host Families

If you are interested in being a host family for 2008, please contact Tom Bradley at 946-8424.