Middle Tennessee Youth Football Conference Update

Upper Cumberland Reporter just received a statement from the MTYFC attorney, Kelly Tollett, in regard to the disbarring of the Cookeville Youth Football Team from the league.

Here is her statement:

“The Middle Tennessee Youth Football Conference (MTYFC) was developed to provide the children of the Upper Cumberland area with the best football experience possible. As part of providing this experience, MTYFC is committed to upholding the highest standards of safety and conduct in order to protect and enhance the lives of our children. Last year the Conference adopted a zero tolerance policy on any person with a felony from coaching in the MTYFC . Cookeville was involved in this policy making and was present during meetings where this was discussed and voted on. With recent local incidents involving youth sports, we (MTYFC) feel enforcing this policy was very necessary. After several attempts to acquire the background consent forms for each of their coaches, (with no results), the Conference felt removing the Cookeville program was the only way to ensure the safety of over 1000 kids involved in MTYFC. Cookeville was the only program represented that failed to turn in the much needed forms at Jamboree on August 4th 2018. They were given several chances to turn in the forms in the following 10 days. We, as a Conference, put the safety of all kids as our first priority. The latest incident (Cookeville has been on probation for prior events) was the culminating event with the Cookeville program that forced the MTYFC Board to make this difficult decision. Again, the recent decision made with respect to the Cookeville program was not made lightly. The decision was made with first and foremost concern of the safety of ALL the youth athletes of the MTYFC. Any team or individual that is found to not be in compliance with the mission and standards of MTYFC will be dismissed from the Conference.”

Thank you,
Kelly Tollett
Attorney at Law