CFF
History
The
Consolidated Football Federation actually began in 1970 when there were
few alternatives available for area youth who wanted to play organized
football or participate in cheerleading outside of school programs.
Two local youth Associations, one in Cary, the other in Garner, began
organizing teams to play each other. In the beginning, each of the two
Associations had ten to twelve teams and played each other multiple
times during the season. The Cary and Garner groups, searching for different
opponents, joined the Wake County League. They played in the Wake league
for one year and were dissatisfied with the lack of clearly written
rules, and formal organization.
Mr.
Chuck Norman, president of the Cary league, approached the Pop Warner
offices to apply for a charter. He had researched various youth football
organizations and decided to associate with Pop Warner. He liked the
fact that Pop Warner had written rules, and educational standards that
must be met for participation. He wanted to ensure that the local groups
would be a formal organization, with By-Laws and written operating rules.
In
1972, after becoming a chartered member of Pop Warner Little Scholars,
Inc., Cary and Garner welcomed another Association from Raleigh into
the group. At that time, Mr. Norman formally organized the Consolidated
Football Federation. Because of Mr. Norman’s leadership and reputation,
more and more Associations applied for membership. From very modest
beginnings, the CFF has grown to fifteen member Associations representing
approximately 3,500 children from Wake, Durham, Chatham, Johnston, and
Lee Counties.
Mr.
Norman remained as Commissioner of the CFF for thirty years, retiring
in 2001. Because of Mr. Norman’s vision and desire to provide a quality
football and cheerleading program for area youth, and his strict adherence
to the rules and regulations of Pop Warner, the CFF is among the most
successful and respected Pop Warner members in the nation. The CFF is
strong, and continues to grow. The CFF is deeply indebted to Mr. Norman
for having a vision and seeing it through.
In
2001, Mike Baldwin took over as the Commissioner. Mr. Baldwin continued
the philosophy esatblished by Mr. Norman. Mr. Baldwin remained the Commissioner
until stepping down at the end of the 2007 season.