The Memorial Park Spartans Football and Cheer program is the presence for Pop Warner in Bellwood, Illinois.  Pop Warner is the oldest and most established football program in the United States. 

Playoffs: As a national program, our playoff system includes the opportunity to compete at the Local, State, Regional, and National level. (*National level playoffs are located at ESPN’S Wide World of Sports, Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida.)  

National Rule Book: The National Rule Book includes rules, regulations, minimum play requirements and a code-of-conduct for players, coaches and parents.  Setting a good example of sportsmanship is on the forefront for your Memorial Park Spartans family.  

Academics: Pop Warner’s commitment to academics is what separates this program from other youth sports around the world. A 2.0/70% or the equivalent shall be the minimum grade point average accepted to participate.  Waivers are available, but academic requirements must be met by playoffs. (1st quarter)

Pop Warner participants with outstanding grades (96% +), may also attend the Regional Awards banquet. 

Safety First: Kids compete with players of similar age and size. Pop Warner is the ONLY youth football program (local, regional and national) that sets and enforces a strict AGE & WEIGHT MATRIX that reduces the risk and reality of injuries.  

In our continuing efforts to provide the safest playing environment for our young athletes, and in light of developing concussion research, Pop Warner is the ONLY youth football organization to limit contact during practices.  The amount of contact at each practice will be a maximum of 1/3 the total weekly practice time or 40 minutes total of each practice.  

**Pop Warner has made great strides to reduce player injuries :  Kick offs have been eliminated at the Tiny and Mitey Mite and Junior PeeWee levels to reduce the risk of head injuries.  

Did you know that Pop Warner football is safer than soccer?  Pop Warner football has 12% fewer injuries per capita among 5-15 year olds than organized soccer in the same age range! (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, NEISS)  

Certified Coaches:  All of our coaches are Heads Up certified and complete Regional Pop Warner training as well.