When thieves broke into a portable class room at Memorial Middle School last week in search of brass and copper, they did a lot more than damage the air conditioning units.  They ripped the hearts out of a youth football team. 

This was not just a simple case of school vandalism.  The portable belonged to the South Central Tigers – a local Pop Warner football team and the thieves did more than damage the building’s cooling system, they destroyed trophies that were being stored for the team’s upcoming banquet.

The inter-city Tigers, who began their program just a few years ago, went 16-0 this season and won the Pop Warner National Championship in the 13-15-year-old division.  The trophies were being stored for a Feb. 3 banquet that was honoring the team’s accomplishments.

The portable served as a meeting and film room for coaches, as well as an equipment storage area.  Coach Sue Plowden said that eventually the organization wants to purchase computer equipment and offer tutoring in the portable to the players, who mostly come from at-risk and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Predators heard about the plight from season ticket holder Ann Whittle, who owns Trophies Unlimited.  “I wanted to help when I heard about the vandalism and then I got to thinking that maybe the Predators would want to be involved,” Whittle said.  “It seemed line a natural.”

Whittle called her Predators ticket representative Mike Von Waldner, who got the ball rolling internally.  The team is now working with Whittle to replace the trophies in time for the banquet and is also making a donation to the South Central Tigers to help repair the air conditioning system.   In additional, Predators star defensive end Greg White is participating in the a fund raising car wash this weekend and the Predators will honor the entire South Central Tigers football team at its game against the Austin Wranglers on Mar. 16.

In addition, the Predators are inviting their fans to be involved.  “It’s amazing what these kids accomplished this year,” Predators President Brett Bouchy said.  “We certainly wanted to do our part to help and we also want to invite our season ticket holders and fans to get involved.”

HOW TO HELP

The South Central Tigers are holding a benefit car wash this Saturday, Jan. 27 at the corner of Bruton Boulevard and Columbia Street in downtown Orlando.  The car wash begins at 9 a.m. and Orlando Predators defensive end Greg White will help wash cars and sign autographs. The Predators are also accepting donations and will present them to the team at their awards banquet.   Checks should be made out to the South Central Tigers and sent to:  Orlando Predators Foundation, 302 S. Graham, Orlando, FL 32803 (attn: Dan Pearson).