Enfield Athletic Legends Working To Save Middle School/Freshman Sports

ENFIELD, CT — Among the many casualties of the reduction of several million dollars from the Enfield Board of Education's requested budget allotment for 2024-25 was middle school and freshman sports. School officials said in late May that elimination of those programs would save about $100,000.

While many parents expressed their disappointment on social media, four local sporting legends decided to begin a grassroots effort to raise funds to restore the programs beginning in the 2025-26 academic year.

Russ Tyler, Paul DaSilva, Peter King and Bob Bromage are all inductees into the Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame. While there is no hope of salvaging sports for the upcoming year, they are looking at other ways to generate the necessary funds to bring the programs back next fall.

Noting that about 17 teams consisting of more than 260 student-athletes will be affected by the cuts, Bromage told Patch, "For these kids to have to go without athletic activities is a real travesty."

DaSilva, a 1974 Enfield High School graduate, said, "When I was in eighth grade, they cut out [John F. Kennedy Junior High School] sports. I feel we're going to make this happen. It's near and dear to my heart."

One event in the final stages of planning is "An Evening With Peter King," featuring the 1975 Enfield graduate discussing his three decade-plus career covering the National Football League for Sports Illustrated. He recently retired from Football Night in America, NBC Sports' Sunday night NFL studio show, which he had joined in 2006.

The night is slated for Nov. 7 from 7-9 p.m. in the auditorium at Enfield High School, and will also include a Q & A session with King and Tyler, the program's host.

King told Patch, "Now I can try to give back a little to the town that is responsible for forming me. I was in the first class at JFK in 1969, and 90 percent of my middle school memories are from sports. In high school, sports meant everything to me. When I heard 17 different teams and about 270 kids wouldn't have sports, I decided to try doing what I can for them."

"Peter is tremendous, we're lucky to have him," Tyler told Patch. "Sports has been a big part of our lives, and our goal will be reached."

A GoFundMe account has also been established for those wishing to contribute to the cause. It may be viewed here.