If you plan on attending the parade , please fill out and bring the waiver. 

No waiver means no parade. Thank you 

Good Morning,

We finally have all of the homecoming information for Saturday!

The MU Homecoming parade starts at 9:00am on Saturday, October 3rd.  We must be lined up in our positions by 8:15AM.  Safe child drop off location is at the roundabout in front of the MU School of Nursing building (behind the childrens ER at MU Hospital.) Please arrive at the drop off location by turning onto Deans Drive from Hospital drive. (The road in between the parking garage and the childrens ER.) I will be there from 7:00am until 8:15am.  Come early if possible.  There WILL BE a LOT of traffic, and if you are later than 8:15am they may not let them be in the parade.  I have included a waiver for parents to print and fill out prior to drop off.  Please make sure you bring this with you.  If you do not have a printer, I will have a few extra on site, but these will be REQUIRED to participate.  (We only need the second page of the waiver for our records! Feel free to keep the first page for yourself!)

Safe child pick up will be at Flat Branch Park directly after our entry has completed the parade route.  PLEASE make sure you check out with a CYFL rep BEFORE picking up your child. The waiver will have a spot for you to sign your child out at the end. I have included a map that has both the drop off and the pick up locations circled.

A few notes:

1. We only need a few parents to stay and help.  If you want to be one of those parents, please reach out to me.  We can’t have too many though as participations numbers are capped.

2. If you are staying and helping, PLEASE understand that once the parade is moving, if kids are on the trailer/truck, the MUST stay there throughout the parade.  We CANNOT have kids or even adults getting on and off the trailer.

3. We CANNOT throw candy.  We can hand it out, but we cannot throw it.  CYFL will provide a few bags, but if you can bring some on your own too, that’s always welcome!

4. We will have the kids make a few signs/posters during the wait between arrival, and when we actually start moving.  It is kind of a long wait, so it gives them something to do.  But if you want to bring some of your own posters, feel free! Anything Mizzou related, or even team related is great!

5. Feel free to wear your jerseys, CYFL shirts, or anything Mizzou related!

6. Our Entry number is 128, so if you are watching the parade, that is where we will be! After we have passed by your location, please make your way to Flat Branch Park for pickup.  Please DO NOT WAIT until the entire parade is over to come pick up your child.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Ann Faaborg (CYFL Secretary) at 417-499-9525.

Hope to see you there! MIZ!

Hey CYFL Community!

TOMORROW is the day!

We’re bringing the Columbia community together for a full day of football, cheer, Homecoming, fun, and giving back!

Players and families from all over Columbia will be coming together, making this more than just a day of football. This is about celebrating our kids, supporting one another, and showing them what it means to be part of a community.

CYFL + DAY DREAMS FOUNDATION

We’re excited to announce that CYFL is partnering with the Day Dreams Foundation to give back to our community and help local kids have access to the equipment they need to participate in sports.

Starting THIS SUNDAY and continuing at every game moving forward, you’ll see a BLUE BAG at the concession area where you can donate new or gently used sports balls.

Footballs

Basketballs

Soccer balls

Volleyballs

Baseballs & softballs

…and more!

It doesn’t have to be a football — any sports ball can make a difference.

Let’s fill that blue bag and show our kids that when we come together, we can give back and make an impact in our community!

HOMECOMING COURT

Hey everyone!!

Homecoming Court for each team will be presented during halftime of their games.

HOWEVER! The Homecoming Court Crowning Ceremony will be held on Field 6 between the 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM games.

All Homecoming Court nominees need to be on-site no later than 2:00 PM so we can make sure everyone is ready for the crowning ceremony!

Please make sure your nominees know about the 2:00 PM arrival time — we don’t want anyone to miss their special moment!

PIE YOUR COACH!

And yes… you read that right!

For just $5, you can PIE YOUR COACH IN THE FACE!

Bring your $5, pick your coach, and have some fun!

Tomorrow is about COMMUNITY.

Football

Cheer

Homecomin

Pie Your Coach

Giving Back

So bring your family, bring your friends, wear your team gear, and COME READY TO HAVE SOME FUN!

Let’s fill that blue bag and show Columbia what CYFL COMMUNITY is all about!

Flyer is attached with ALL Nominations.

We’ll see you TOMORROW!

— CYFL

Dear CYFL Community,

We’re excited to announce our FIRST ANNUAL CYFL HOMECOMING on September 27th from 12:00–5:00 PM! We’re asking every coaching staff to help us make this a fun and memorable day for our players, cheerleaders, families, and community.

HOMECOMING BANNERS
We’d love for each team to have a Homecoming banner for their players to run through before their game!

If your team would like to make and decorate your own banner, GREAT! CYFL will provide all the supplies you need, so you can get creative and make it special for your team.

If banner-making isn’t your team’s thing, no worries at all! We have some creative board members ready to make one for you!

If you would like CYFL to make your team’s banner, please let us know by THIS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17th so we have plenty of time to get them made and ready for Homecoming.

HOMECOMING COURT

Football Teams

• Homecoming King — Grades 3rd–6th
• Homecoming Prince — Grades K–2nd

Each football team will select their King or Prince based on their grade level.

CYFL Cheer Team

• Homecoming Queen — Grades 3rd–6th
• Homecoming Princess — Grades K–2nd

Our CYFL Cheer Team will select the Queens and Princesses for our Homecoming Court.

BRING THE ENERGY!
Please encourage your parents and families to come out, get LOUD, and fill the stands! We’ll have a LIVE DJ throughout the event, and we’re also working on possibly having bounce houses for the younger siblings.

PIE IN THE FACE FUNDRAISER
We’re asking ALL HEAD COACHES AND THE CYFL PRESIDENT to participate! For $5, players will have the opportunity to pie one of us in the face! All proceeds will go directly toward supporting CYFL.

Most importantly, please help us spread the word throughout Columbia! Invite your family and friends and help us make our first CYFL Homecoming a day our kids will remember!

Thank you for everything you do for CYFL and our kids!

CYFL

JERSEY UPDATE

We unfortunately have an update that we know is going to be disappointing, and we are truly sorry.

Our football jerseys will be picked up this Saturday in St. Louis and will be ready to go! 

Unfortunately, we were informed that our FLAG football jerseys will not be ready in time for our first games. The company is waiting on additional material needed to complete them, which has caused a delay that we were not expecting.

We know this sucks — believe us, we are just as disappointed and frustrated. Our players deserve to take the field in their jerseys, especially for that first game.

To make sure every team is still ready to play, CYFL will be purchasing team-colored pinnies for each FLAG team to use for the first game. As soon as the jerseys are completed, we will get them to our players as quickly as possible.

We are so sorry for the inconvenience and disappointment. We truly appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we work through something that is unfortunately outside of our control.

Thank you for giving us a little grace.
CYFL

Columbia Youth Football League Families, Coaches, Sponsors, and Community Members,

For more than 50 years, the Columbia Youth Football League has provided opportunities for young athletes to learn, compete, build friendships, and become part of something bigger than themselves. We are proud of that history, and even more excited about where we are headed next.

Over the past decade, our league has experienced tremendous growth. We've expanded participation, strengthened relationships with neighboring communities, improved our facilities, increased access to the sport through scholarships and free camps, and built stronger connections with our local high school programs. Through it all, our mission has remained the same: provide the best possible football experience for the kids of Columbia and the surrounding communities.

As many of you know, there have been significant changes within youth football across Mid-Missouri over the last several months. With change often comes questions, rumors, and uncertainty. While we won't spend time focused on those distractions, we do want our families and supporters to hear directly from us about the future.

And the future is exciting.

Today, we are proud to formally announce the launch of the Columbia Youth Feeder League.

Working alongside our local high school programs, we are creating a true developmental pathway that connects youth football to the schools and communities our athletes will one day represent.

Beginning this season:

• Teams will be organized by school district and feeder boundaries beginning in Kindergarten.
• We will follow MSHAA eligibility principles to ensure fairness and consistency across our program.
• Current tackle teams will be permitted limited grandfathered exceptions for existing player relationships, allowing a smooth transition as we move toward a fully district-based model over the next several years.
• Grade levels will be combined where necessary to ensure strong participation, local competition, and a sustainable schedule.
• Games will be played locally whenever possible, reducing travel while increasing opportunities for families and community members to attend and support our athletes.

This model benefits more than just our players.

Young athletes will learn the terminology, techniques, and culture of the programs they will eventually join in high school. At the same time, aspiring coaches will have opportunities to learn directly from local high school systems, build relationships, and develop their own coaching skills within the community.

We're also excited to announce a major evolution of our competitive football program.

For years, families often felt forced to choose between playing for their school-based team or participating in competitive travel football. We believe Columbia's athletes deserve both opportunities.

Moving forward, every grade level will have a single All-Star team selected from athletes participating within our feeder program. These teams will compete in select pre-season and post-season competitive events while allowing players to remain fully connected to their community-based teams throughout the regular season.

This new structure allows us to:

• Keep athletes connected to their friends, schools, and communities.
• Reduce unnecessary competition between recreational and competitive programs.
• Showcase the very best athletes in Columbia through true city-wide All-Star teams.
• Create greater collaboration among coaches focused on what is best for every child.

Most importantly, it ensures that the developmental experience comes first.

As we look ahead to the upcoming season, we are incredibly optimistic about what this means for the future of football in Columbia. We believe this structure will strengthen our community, support our local high school programs, create better opportunities for coaches, and provide an outstanding experience for every athlete who puts on a jersey.

Registration is now open, and our $50 Early Registration Discount is still available for a limited time. Till June 8th.

If you've been considering signing up, now is the time.

Thank you to our players, parents, coaches, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters who continue to make this organization possible. Together, we're building something special, and we can't wait to see what the future holds.

See you on the field,

Columbia Youth Football League Board

Please see the message below from Columbia Parks and Recreation regarding parking changes at Cosmo Park.

Hello everyone!

Just a reminder that we have our first Fall 2026 cheerleading informational meeting this Thursday, April 9th at 6:00pm at the Columbia Fieldhouse. If you are interested in attending either that session or the second session on Thursday, May 21st, please use the Google doc link below to RSVP. Our new cheer director, Marina Chiodini, is excited to meet with all of you!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecx2qGiQT_DQPqGUBI3KNEvMyEfnnShbOCaZLCA2GafUdOfA/viewform

Hello Columbia Youth Football!

We are pleased to announce that we have a new cheer director that will be restarting our cheer program this fall! Welcome, Marina Chiodini! A little about Marina - She is a dedicated cheerleader and coach with over 6 years of experience in competitive and sideline cheer. She has trained in tumbling, stunting, jumps, and dance. She has competed at the Illinois High School Association state competition twice, performed half time during two Capital One college bowl games in Orlando, and was her high school team mascot. As a coach, Marina has worked with athletes ages 5-12, focusing on skill development, confidence building, leadership, and technique. 

Marina will be hosting several informational sessions over the next few months and we encourange anyone interested in cheer to attend to see what Marina and Columbia Youth Football have to offer. Her first session is April 9th at 6:00pm. Her second session is May 21st at 6:00pm. Both information sessions will be at the Columbia Fieldhouse.

If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to Marina using the Google doc link here - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecx2qGiQT_DQPqGUBI3KNEvMyEfnnShbOCaZLCA2GafUdOfA/viewform?usp=header

Hello Columbia Youth Football!

We just wanted to send out a reminder that our spring flag registration closes on March 20th so make sure and get your kiddo signed up! We are offering co-ed flag football for K through 8th grade this spring. Practices will start March 30th so late registration may not be available. DO NOT WAIT - SIGN UP TODAY!

Coaches - If you have not already, please reach out to Amanda and let her know if you plan on coaching this spring or in the fall. It is a new year so we will need new background checks and new USA Football certifications (both flag and tackle certifications for those coaches doing both). If you have completed your USA Football certificate for 2026, email it to Amanda at cyfl.footballsecretary@gmail.com. Amanda will send the background check link out once we get closer to the start of the season.

For the spring, we could especially use coaches for kindergarten, 7th grade, and 8th grade so if you are interested, contact Amanda at cyfl.footballsecretary@gmail.com.

Thanks!

CYF