The Ray Tellier Midget Football League will celebrate its 60th Anniversary on Sunday, June 7, from noon p.m. to 3 p.m. at Randall’s Restaurant.
The event is open to the public with no admission charge and a cash bar available.
Founded in 1966, the West Haven Midget Football League, later named the Ray Tellier Midget Football League has taught the fundamentals of youth football and cheerleading to generations of West Haven children.
The league began with its first player draft, under first league president Bob Tingley, at Randall’s Restaurant in the summer of 1966 and memorable practices and games were played behind Bailey Middle School from 1966-1987.
In the early years, the program expanded to six inter-city teams and became one of the city’s most recognized youth sports organizations.
Most will remember team sponsors Armstrong, Christopher John Michaels (CJM’s), Elks #1537, Fire Department, Hilton Construction, Kelly Construction-Apple Oil, Randalls, Realtors of West Haven, West End Market, and Peschell’s Bakery.
In 1986, the league joined Pop Warner Little Scholars and became a member of the Southern Connecticut Pop Warner Conference, where it remains today.
The organization’s teams are now known as the West Haven Seahawks and continue to provide football and cheerleading opportunities for city youth ages 5-13 and enjoy a reputation as a regional and national power.
“This is going to be a very informal but fun party and I am looking forward to seeing some of my teammates from the 1970s and seeing all the former players, coaches, board members, football officials and volunteers who built the foundation and made this league so great for so long,” said Michael Last, the event organizer. “We really want to recognize and remember those individuals who organized the league that we still enjoy today.”
Last has been involved with the program for decades as a player, coach, administrator, and now historian.
He coached on the Fire Department staff under legendary coaches John Skarlos and
Bill Leonard, coached the Seahawk Midget Pop Warner team for 28 years, served as president of the Ray Tellier Midget Football League from 2007-2021, and currently serves as president of the Southern Connecticut Pop Warner Conference.
Last is coordinating the celebration alongside Tony Raccio and Jim O’Brien, both of whom have been involved with the program since the early 1970s.
The anniversary celebration will feature team photgraphs spanning from 1966 to the present day, as well as stories and memories shared by former players and coaches about growing up and playing midget football behind Bailey Middle School and coached by legendary coaches and individuals.
Organizers expect many former coaches, board members, officials, and volunteers from the league’s early years to attend.
Anyone with photographs or memorabilia they would like to contribute to the event display is encouraged to email Michael Last at whseahawk1@gmail.com.