T/E Conestoga Football Association
OUR STORY
The TE Oldtimers Football Association was started in 1966 by Joe Townsend, a former TE football player. The first meeting was held at the old Lamp Post Inn and was attended by: Joe Townsend, Jim Townsend, Bob DiSerafino, Bill Colona, Bud Dempsey, Pat Piombino, and Lou Piombino (as a junior participant). Joe Townsend was elected the first President. A charter was drawn up to list the qualifications for membership. The first banquet was held at the Bella Villa Inn in about 1968.
In our 40th year, the name was changed to the TE Conestoga Football Association. With this change of name and member qualifications, along with an overhaul of the bylaws, we opened up membership to all football enthusiasts. In 2010, the association began fulfilling its dual mission of supporting the Special Olympics' Valor Bowl and raising college scholarship funds for football seniors. As of June 2020, we have awarded a total of $132,500 in scholarships to Conestoga football seniors and $9,000 in contributions to the Special Olympics.
The association is looking for the support of all people in the community. The Board of Directors consists of local people who have all of these goals at heart. The T-E Conestoga Football Association is a nonprofit, charitable organization recognized as tax-exempt by the IRS under section 501(c)(3). We rely on you, our members and donors, for support.
EXECUTIVE BOARD
George Cockerill
President
My first connection with Conestoga Football was as an assistant coach to Joe Ujobe from 1973 to 1976. I served as head football coach from 1977 to 1981. I later served as an assistant coach with Bob Novotny. I have been on the board for about 10 years and currently serve as President.
Gary Schofield
Treasurer
"I graduated from CHS in 1979, where I played football, basketball, and baseball. I continued my football career at Wake Forest, graduating in 1983. I have always felt that playing football at Conestoga was a big building block for my future successes in life, and feel a special bond with my teammates, coaches, and all those connected with the Conestoga Football program. I joined TEFA soon after my college graduation, became a board member in 2009, and currently serve as Treasurer."
Peter Ricci
Scholarship Chair
Length on board:
3 years
Affiliation with Conestoga Football:
My affiliation with the football program goes back to 1999 when my Dad (Pete Ricci) became an assistant coach. He stayed on staff and coached through my Senior year (2004). I played Freshman football in 2001, and was a Varsity player from 2002-2004. I later joined the coaching staff for Matt Diamonds first two years as Head Coach in 2018/2019.
Tom Flynn
Recording Secretary
Each home game Fall Friday in the early 1970’s, looking out classroom windows from T/E Junior High School to Teamer Field, Conestoga Football was revered by me. I played varsity 10th - 12th grades, and varsity baseball 11th and 12th, graduating in 1978. Since 2011, I’ve served on the T/E Conestoga Football Association Board (The Oldtimers), which is as meaningful as the playing days because the funds we raise provide scholarships to the current players, and we honor the past.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Karen Duffy
Board Member
Karen has been a Board member of TECFA since 2018 and was voted as Corresponding Secretary in 2022. She is a 1984 graduate of Conestoga High School and attended Kutztown University. Her son, Sean, is a 2013 Conestoga graduate and son, Ryan, graduated in 2019. Ryan was a Conestoga General at age 6 and played fullback and linebacker throughout his four years at Conestoga. Ryan served as Co-Captain in 2019, was the recipient of the Ernie Meyer/Craig Bollman Leadership Scholarship and earned the Bill Colona Student Athlete Award in 2018. During Ryan’s playing years, Karen served on the Conestoga Football’s Gridiron Booster Club as Vice President and is heavily involved in the local T/E community. Karen’s is passionate about keeping Conestoga Football’s legacy alive and is focused on continuing to provide needed scholarships to players. Karen is employed by The Vanguard Group, Inc. and currently lives in Chesterbrook.
