Arizona Youth Football
Memorial Fund
(AYFMF)

The AzFOA is proud to announce the establishment of the Arizona Youth Football Memorial Fund (AYFMF).  The purpose and goal of the AYFMF is to provide funds to young athletes who wish to participate in youth football in Arizona, but may not have the financial support to do so.  Funding will be made available via a grant through the AYFMF which will be administered by the AzFOA Youth Football committee.

Eligible participants must first be nominated by their local youth football association and by the youth football league executive committee.  The AzFOA Youth Football committee will confirm the recipient(s) of the AYFMF grant. 

All funds will be generated by the tax deductible donation of game fees by AzFOA members.  During the third week of each football season, beginning in 2009, AzFOA members will be provided the opportunity to donate all or a portion of their game fees.  This time frame will run from Wednesday through Saturday.  Donated funds will be collected by the crew chief and then sent to the AzFOA for deposit prior to the end of the 4th week.  Should a viable candidate not be located or selected, the funds will roll over to the next season for distribution.  The funds will be maintained in an AYFMF dedicated bank account.

The AzFOA Board would like to include you as a donor to this program as we honor the initial honoree of the AYFMF, Marquis Cooper. 

While growing up in the east valley, Marquis Cooper was an active participant in Arizona Youth Football.  He followed his days in youth football by competing on the Gilbert Highland High School football team.  Upon graduation from Gilbert Highland, Marquis was a member of the University of Washington Huskies football team.  Marquis was also fortunate enough to be drafted by the National Football League. He was a member of the Oakland Raiders at the time of his unfortunate passing.

We, the AzFOA, along with the support of its members, fully believe that the AYFMF will provide much needed support of youth football in Arizona.  But most importantly, the AzFOA wishes to provide deserving youth the financial means to participate in the game we love.

For additional information regarding the AYFMF, please log onto the AzFOA website. The website address is www.azfoa.org.  Checks should be made out to AZFOA.  All donations should be mailed to the AzFOA treasurer at the address listed below.

Mr. Paul Edge
314 South Neely Street
Gilbert, AZ 85233