Mt. Pisgah Lions impacting lives through football

Church adds athletics to its areas of ministry

Today’s article is brought to you by the Howard County Democratic Party. Join the Dems on Oct. 22 for their annual Celebrate Democracy dinner.

To purchase tickets, click HERE

There is a saying that goes, “it takes a village to raise a child.” Men of the Mount, from Mount Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church saw a need, and through the game of football they are impacting the lives of young men in the community of Kokomo.

The shepherd of Mount Pisgah church, Pastor Lonnie Anderson Jr., understands the city of Kokomo has a need for filling in the gap for children with absent fathers.

The young men of the Mt. Pisgah Lions prepare for practice under the guidance of the coaching staff.

“One of the premises for the Mount Pisgah Lions, a lot of the young boys we have don’t have fathers or positive male influences in their life, and they get that when they come to practice,” said Anderson. “I’m just delighted about it. It’s way more than just about football and tackling and uniforms, but it’s about building character. And ultimately, introducing and giving them a foundation with Jesus Christ.”

Omar Daniels, a member of Mount Pisgah and head coach of the flag football program expressed, “My Pastor, he saw a need. Our community has a number of single mothers. At Mount Pisgah we were already covering the spiritual side; Bible study, church events, the academic side, as we have several teachers here. But there wasn’t any athletic side.”

Some of the initiatives that have been developed through Mount Pisgah touch on a number of categories: education, the arts, travel, entertainment, and constructive activities that build character in young people. But there was something missing. That’s when a group of men decided that athletics would be a regular part of programming for children.

Daniels has been a resident of Kokomo for 25 years and is now a bona fide Kokomoan, pouring into and investing in the younger generations of the city. When asked how and why he is able to be who he is to the youth, his answer came swiftly,

“That’s really simple,” said Daniels. “Big Bob [Bobby Pettigrew]. Bobby was my mentor, and Coach Cox. You have to remember, some of the great black coaches in Kokomo worshiped at Mount Pisgah. So, it is a no-brainer that an Omar Daniels came up in the works. When you’re under these men all day everyday going to games, learning from them, it just came naturally.”

Daniels beamed when he looked over at the tackle football side of the hallowed ground behind Mount Pisgah church, which acts as a practice facility for the Lions organization. Daniels spoke of how proud he is of his “big brother,” Ty Stitts, who is head coach of the tackle program.

Head coach Ty Stitts talks to the young Lions about football fundamentals.

Stitts, a lifelong Kokomo resident, can look back into his childhood and see all the positive influences in his life.

“My first coach, real coach, was Troy White,” said Stitts. “I go back to when I was 8 years old, you know we played sandlot on Mulberry, and on Taylor Street. Troy was my first real coach. Then I can go back to Big Daddy [Byron Ellison], then Ronnie Fowler and Robert Hayes on the Redskins [P.A.L. Organization team].”

 Because of those positive examples in his life, Stitts always knew “it’s always been in me to be a coach and to give back. It’s just an awesome feeling to be able to give back and to serve my community in the right way.”

The Mount Pisgah Lions practice field evokes an overwhelming sense of the spirit of Police Athletic League (P.A.L.) football alive and well there. Not to compare; the Lions program is very much its own entity and is establishing greatness in its own right. However, the sound of coaches teaching, whistles blowing, five, six, even seven coaches all instructing the players in one area, brings back memories of the distinguished organization in its heyday.

Hakim Burnett, a father and a coach on the flag team, has a 5-year-old son who plays for the Lions. Burnett, a known basketball player and former Wildkat standout, credits his friend and young son for being the reason he looked into the Lions.

“I was recommended through a friend to look into what Omar had going on with the Lions,” said Burnett. “When Omar let me know what they had, what they were trying to build, it all just rubbed me the right way. We’re locked in forever now.”

Practice gets underway at Mt. Pisgah.

Burnett loves the vision; he sees the trend and direction sports are heading and realizes that the Lions organization will give kids a great opportunity to compete greater at the state level.

“The sports thing right now is travel,” said Burnett. “I like how they are introducing that early to the kids, and that it isn’t just about right here where you are. Get out here. Get some exposure and see some of these other teams [around the state].”

The Lions are a part of a national football program called “D1 Nation.” In the state of Indiana, the tackle football organization is a part of a 12-team league that travels the state, competing against one another. There is a North and a South division which includes Kokomo, Evansville, Indianapolis, Muncie, and more.

It is the first year the Lions have been a part of this league, and the program is flourishing in the competition. The Lions are in 3rd place right now and battling their way for a 3rd seed. Having won one game, tied one, and lost one they are hopeful they can clinch that spot.

Coach Daniels and Stitts made sure that special thanks were in order to the many women in the church and community that have given donations and time to keep them thriving. Also, to the men who have dedicated so much time and energy into the young men on the field.

“To Coach Derris, Hakim, Fred, Mike Taijuan, Rob, Doc, Tyrone, Rob, Phillip, and Kyle: Thank you, thank you, thank you!” said Daniels and Stitts.