About
Built on fundamentals. Driven by purpose.
At Sturgis Youth Football and Cheer, we believe the game is best learned from the bottom up. Our program is centered on teaching the core fundamentals of football and cheer — proper technique, footwork, blocking, catching, routing, stunting, and tumbling — before anything else. We don't skip steps. We build players.
Our coaching philosophy is simple: when kids learn the right way early, everything else follows. Confidence follows. Performance follows. Safety follows. Every drill we run and every rep we take is intentional, age-appropriate, and grounded in best practices for youth athletic development.
In partnership with the Sturgis High School coaching staff, we've aligned our teaching methods, terminology, and systems so that players who come up through our program arrive at the next level ready — not just physically, but mentally. This is what a true developmental pipeline looks like, and Sturgis now has one.
We are also deeply committed to player safety. All coaches are trained in current youth sports safety protocols, and we maintain low coach-to-player ratios to ensure every athlete gets the attention they deserve. This program puts kids first — not the scoreboard.
Location
Franks Park
1593 S Lakeview St, Sturgis, MI 49091
Cheerleading Practices (Aug-Oct)
Monday and Thursdays
530pm-7pm
GAMES on Saturdays
Football Practices (Aug-Oct)
Monday, Wednesday and Thursdays
530pm-7pm
GAMES on Saturdays
Board of Directors
Director of Sport
Kate Hicks
Director of Spirit
Malinda Merrill
Director of Coaching
OPEN
Media & Communication Manager
Courtney Camacho
Facility Manager
Cody Lester
Treasurer
Amy Hicks
Fundraising Manager
Betsy Rodriguez
Concessions Manager
OPEN
Equipment Manager
OPEN
Registrar
Katie Lester
Administrator
Becky Kirkestue