Today the Poinciana Predators has had another one of its long term members reached a goal of recognition that truly identifies him as one of the great leaders in youth sports throughout the 50 states. For the second time over a three year period, there has been a member from the MFFCC selected to the AYF Hall of Fame. This distinct honor was awarded to Al Bates, former MFFCC Commissioner, former 3- time MFFCC President, former VP of the MFFCC Citrus Division, and one of the founders and long time presidents of the of the Poinciana Predators was inducted into the AYF Hall of Fame on the evening of December 10, 2008. The venue of the evening was the elegant Mike Ditka Beach Club Resort in Kissimmee, Florida. Several members of the MFFCC were present at the event in support of Al’s latest accomplishment.

To share with him on this joyous occasion was a special quest, Al’s grandson, Tye Woodard, of Jacksonville, North Carolina who is in his first year of college here in Central Florida. He was very proud to stand with his grandfather as they posed with one of the greatest NFL players and coach, Mr. Mike Ditka. The greatest part of the scenario is that Al happens to be a faithful Chicago Bear fan. It was truly a memorable occasion. Al also had the pleasure of being accompanied by Mrs. Linda Cantreva and Janell McDonald of the Poinciana Predators League. Al and Linda have worked side by side over the past 20 years in helping to develop and manage the Predators organization. It really meant a lot to the hall of fame inductee to have his work partner and friend of so many years present for this memorable evening. Linda currently holds the position as Secretary 1 as a member of the MFFCC Executive Board and is also recognized as the MFFCC in house photographer. Horace West, the original President of the MFFCC of whom Al served under for two years as Conference Commissioner and another two years as Vice President, was also present to support the hall of fame recipient on that special night.

The CEO and President of the AYF, Mr. Joe Galat, begun the prestigious ceremony by introducing all of the hall of fame inductees while being assisted by the 1985 Super Bowl Champion and NFL Sports Commentator, Mike Ditka, who so enthusiastically handed the rings out to the recipients. The event marked the second time that a member of the MFFCC has been awarded the AYF Hall of Fame award for their long term work with the youth throughout the communities across the state of Florida and abroad. The first recipient was Mr. Joseph Day, President of the Osceola Panthers, whom we all have grown to admire very much for his accomplishments with his league and also as a former Vice President of the MFFCC Executive Board. Our conference has truly been blessed with an enormous amount of talented people amongst its members and management team that has proven to be an asset especially when dealing with thousands of boys, girls, and families each year.

The versatility of the conference can only improve as long as it has members like Al Bates and the many others who continuously donate there time to such a worthy cause as that of the MFFCC. Our children deserve the best assistance that we as volunteers can give and even more. Congratulations to Al Bates in his accomplishment by making it to the Hall of Fame and we wish him many more years of success. We all pray that he continues to be willing to share his talents with us as we go on in time and just maybe another one of our MFFCC team will be rewarded the same as the leaders before them. Coach Bates is very grateful to be blessed with the opportunity to work with the youth all over Florida and especially to be a long term member of the Poinciana Predators. He continues to devote as much time as he possibly can to the Predators Leagues and makes it known to all the kids in Poinciana that he is a Predator for life. Not only for the love of the game, but for the love of all of the people that he has the chance to meet and work with. He is now back home working solely with the Predator organization while enjoying what he likes best, which is, working with the kids in the neighborhood.  Predators from many years ago are stopping by the practice field just to say hello to their life long friend and coach.  

Respectfully,