GREENE'S TALK FINDS BOTH EARS, MONEY

With more and more players signing on for Cape Girardeau's Youth Tackle Football League, Mike Dunaway has seen expenses go up.

In fact, last fall's signup was so great that the league had to find outfits -- uniforms, helmets and shoulder pads -- for 70 additional players.

From a financial standpoint, Kevin Greene came along at just the right time.

Greene, the Pittsburgh Steelers' All-Pro linebacker, spoke March 2 in an arrangement coordinated for the youth league. His afternoon talk at Cape Central High School earned the league about $400.

"We were able to raise money from the event, plus we always like to get a positive message to the kids," said Dunaway, the event's coordinator. "That's as much of a benefit as the money. Anytime we can get folks to talk to the kids like he did is a positive."

Greene, ironically, was scheduled to be in the area to pick up a 1966 Ram Charger, which was being restored by Roger Gibson of Kelso. Gibson, also interested in the league, acted as a middle man for the two.

"Roger's very interested in the program, and he asked Kevin if he'd have time to talk to the kids," said Dunaway. "It was all through Roger's initiative and Kevin's consideration that the arrangement was made.

"After that, Terry Kitchen gave us approval to use the gym, and we got a hold of a few coaches and they said a few words before Kevin spoke. The Booster Club ran the concessions and Kevin signed a lot of autographs."

For a program that rarely needs fund-raisers, Greene's speaking engagement was a boost.

"We're trying to develop more fund-raisers," Dunaway said. "In years past we were able to cover all of our equipment expenses. Usually we can outfit 130 to 135 kids, but this year we had 206. We had such a huge out-pouring in registrations, had to buy about 70 extra helmets, 70 sets of pads and other equipment.

"Since we don't have fund-raisers, other coaches were kind enough to donate some things. John Mumford (of Southeast Missouri State) was going to get rid of some small shoulder-pads and we were able to use those.

"I really anticipate having 235 to 240 kids next year, based on the waiting list of kids who wanted to play this year. We're looking at maybe doing something like this again next year."

Dunaway said Greene accepted no money for his appearance. The league also gets regular talks from Mumford and players from the Southeast team.

"Each year Coach Mumford brings some of his players to talk to the kids not only about football, but also about a good quality of life off the field," Dunaway said. "That was one of the greatest things about Kevin's talk -- very little was about playing in the NFL, but he talked a lot to the kids about doing well in school and building a good foundation, and that having football is just a small piece of the puzzle. To hear someone of his stature say those things, and say his life didn't revolve around football, is important for these kids to hear."