History
In 1971, a youth football team called the Taylors Confederates was formed in Greenville to better serve the need in local communities - particularly Taylors and Greer - for youth football. Three years later, the organization changed its name to the Taylors Football League. The group took on the nickname the Taylors Falcons and patterned the team after the Atlanta Falcons, complete with cheerleaders, Falcon uniforms and logos.
For the next several years, the Falcons maintained a high degree of success in the community, and assisted up-and-coming leagues. Along with new youth football organizations in the area came a decline in the number of football players available to participate in each organization. At the same, the sport of soccer, which required no major equipment purchase and had fewer restrictions on participation, gained popularity in the community. Unfortunately, football lost its status as the main community sponsored youth sports activity.
At the end of the 1985 season, the Taylors Football League hit the bottom. Facing financial disaster because of outstanding debts, the newly elected Board of Directors took a stand and decided not to let the once proud league close its doors or hearts to the communities it served. Several fundraising activities were initiated which generated only a small amount of funds. Nearly exhausted by their efforts to rekindle the dying league, the board decided to follow up on a suggestion for a Celebrity Softball Game with guest from soap operas.
Taking the attitude "nothing ventured, nothing gained", the board spent six long months struggling against, what seemed, insurmountable odds. Their first objective was to gain the support of the local communities; their second , to obtain the funds to pay for the event. Neither came easy - the league went bankrupt three times while trying to pay advance monies. No one had ever heard of the Taylors Football League, so most celebrities requested payment up front. During the final execution stage of the event, the local newspapers, television and radio stations championed the league's cause and gave more support than the league had ever hoped to receive. The league owes a debt of gratitude to the many local radio and television personalities and community leaders who actively participated.
Through the years, Celebrity Softball has been a major fundraising event for this League. Because of its success, we have been able to continue with the tradition of teaching today's youth good sportsmanship, physical fitness and team work through organized sports. 2006 the league decided to do away with the Softball event and starting in 2007 the league has decided to do the First Annual "Days into Night" Celebrity Charity Event. We hope that this will be as long running and succesful. All proceeds from the event go straight to TYA for sponsorships and day to day running of the league!