Coaches Dave McCool, left, and Ryan Sands lead a group of Young Tigers football players during a practice in this 2022 file photo. InkFreeNews File Photo by Keith Knepp.

News Release

WARSAW — Young Tiger Football and Cheerleading has announced a 20th anniversary celebration of the dedication of Fribley Field in honor of Marine Lance Cpl. David K. Fribley.

Fribley was killed in active duty in Iraq in 2003, and Fribley Field, located at 700 E. Market St. in Warsaw, was dedicated in his honor.

A celebration to mark two decades since that original dedication will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, and the public is invited to attend.

Fribley was the first person from Warsaw to be killed in the Iraq War. He was born and raised in Atwood. Before moving away for college, he played football and ran track for Warsaw Community Schools. After college, Fribley lived in Florida, using his degree from Indiana State to organize activities for retirees. After the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, Fribley decided to join the U.S. Marine Corps.  On March 23, 2003, Fribley and nine other Marines were gunned down by a group of terrorists who pretended to surrender and then opened fire. He was 26 at the time. After his death, Fribley Field was dedicated and became the new home for Young Tiger Football, on Oct. 4, 2004.

When the terrorist attacks of 9/11 rocked the country, Young Tiger Football was just a dream. It started with nothing — no equipment, no field.

“We literally just went around and asked people for money,” recalled coach Dave McCool. “Once people heard what we were trying to do, they were excited to help. Next thing you know, two years after the first team with 14 kids, we are having a field built and our community behind us.”

“We just wanted to help our football program, in our small town, be the best it could be,” McCool continued. “It just made sense to start from the bottom and work your way up with cooperation and collaboration by all the programs in town. Now, of course, trying to do something like that had its bumps and bruises along the way, but working with Coach Curtis and his staff at WCHS for the last six years has been a dream. Warsaw Football, from our 8U rookie tackle to our varsity team, we are doing it right.”

McCool said he “never would have believed” back when it started that today there would be eight-plus football teams, four cheer squads and the involvement of many volunteer coaches, emergency medical technicians, small businesses and families.

“It’s unreal,” he said. “We are so grateful to every person out there  — and the list is quite literally too long to write — who made this amazing organization what it is today.”

The coming season marks 20 years since that first dedication.

Warsaw Community High School Football and Cheerleading will help Young Tiger Football and Cheerleading celebrate and be involved in the festivities Aug. 17.

Young Tiger Football and Cheerleading is planning for a wide range of military involvement during the event, including presentation of the colors up to a possible flyover. They also plan to honor Fribley’s family and a few other vital donors, sponsors and friends of Young Tiger Football and Cheerleading.

The public is welcome to join in the celebration. A scrimmage including Young Tiger Football, both Warsaw middle schools and Warsaw Community High School will take place at the Tiger Athletic Complex later that day. Times and details are yet to be determined.