Parks and Recreation Commissioner Mauro G. Tucci and the Nutley Parks and Recreation Department officially kicked off the fall football season with their annual recreation football pep rally at Glotzbach Field on September 10. The event brought together athletes, cheerleaders, coaches and families to celebrate the beginning of another exciting season of Nutley Junior Raider tackle football, flag football, and cheerleading.

Before the introductions of players and performances by the cheerleading squads, Commissioner Tucci welcomed the crowd and recognized the many people whose work makes the programs possible.

“Welcome to our annual pep rally for our tackle football players, our flag football players, and our world-famous cheerleaders,” Commissioner Tucci said. “I’d like to begin by thanking our parents, our coaches, our high school helpers, our Junior Raider Booster Club, our cheering coordinator, Jaime Ardizzone, and, last but absolutely not least, my Parks Department, led by Frank DeMaio, Anthony Gagliardo, Jake, Nicole, and Michelle. They’re all here, and they do a great job for all of us each and every day.”

Commissioner Tucci emphasized that the programs’ success is the result of the efforts of many.

“Without all of you, we don’t have any of this,” he said. “But because of you, we have one of the premier facilities in the State of New Jersey. We have great programs, and once again this year, we exceeded our own expectations in participation. We have 124 tackle football players, 203 cheerleaders, and 301 flag football players. Let’s give them all a big round of applause!

“Together, in just this one sport, we have 628 of our children participating,” he continued. “That is phenomenal. Thank you, parents. Thank you, grandparents. Thank you to everyone who makes this possible.”

Tucci concluded by reminding attendees of the larger purpose of youth recreation in Nutley.

“I want to leave everyone with this message: This is for the parents, the coaches, the helpers, and all of our spectators. Let’s never lose sight of why we’re here and what our purpose is. It’s all about our children. We’re teaching them sports, good citizenship, and how to become great Nutley citizens. Thank you all for being here. Let’s have a great season!”