OUR MISSION
The Palos Stars' mission is to not only teach the fundamentals of football and cheerleading, which will enable players to achieve their highest level of performance, but to also teach children useful lifelong values such as teamwork, good sportsmanship, respect for others, commitment, strong work ethic, leadership and the value of education.

The Palos Stars Association is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1972.  The Stars are members of the Southwest Midget Football League. Our program provides our community's boys and girls, age 7 to 14, an opportunity to play organized junior football and cheerleading. Players will learn the fundamentals of football as well as physical conditioning. Our coaches are committed to teaching our boys and girls the value of teamwork, commitment and dedication, respect and good sportsmanship. Our organization is very proud to have had a number of players that have continued on to play Pro, Semi-Pro and Division I College football.

The Stars' Home field and practice site is located at the George Cuevas Park at 114th Place and Southwest Highway in Palos Hills.  (Located directly across from the Metra Train Station in Palos Heights.)

Palos Stars Boundaries - Our program serves the following communities:  Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Palos Park, Orland Park north of 135th Street, Chicago Ridge, Oak Lawn, Bridgeview, Alsip, Worth, Hickory Hills, Justice, Summit, Willow Springs and Chicago.  Any questions on boundaries please call.

PROGRAM INFORMATION
Our football and cheerleading season runs from the beginning of August through the middle of November each year.  Varsity and Junior Varsity players have the opportunity to compete in a tournament in Gatlinburg, TN over the Thanksgiving holiday, which extends their season a few weeks.

Practice for both football players and cheerleaders begins Monday, August 3, 2009. The practice schedule from August 3, 2009 through the end of August 2009 is Monday through Friday from 6 - 8 PM. Starting September 1, 2009 through the end of the season, the practice schedule is Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 6 - 8 PM. (This change in practice days also depends on when school begins.)  Varsity continues to practice through Thanksgiving weekend.

Fees are the same for both football players and cheerleaders.  The registration fee is $160.00 per child through 2/28/2009.  There is also a $125.00 raffle ticket book which each family is required to sell.  Familes can pay in full or just pay a $50.00 non-refundable deposit per child.  All balances due at time of equipment pickup in late July.  Starting 3/1/09 the registration fee will be $185.00.  We also ask that families supply a separate work committment deposit check of $75.00 for the season.  If all work committment obligations are fulfilled (6 hours per family) by the end of the season, the money will be returned.

We offer a free conditioning camp (optional) during the month of July on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6 - 8 PM. The first day of training camp is July 7, 2009.  This provides players an opportunity to learn fundamentals, refine skills and begin conditioning for the 2009 football season. Also, you have a chance to meet the coaches and other players.

Games are usually played on Saturday. However, there can be Sunday games especially when we play away games as other teams don't always have lights on their field.

The Palos Stars provide the following equipment to each football player:
Game jersey (which player will keep at end of season),
game pants
game socks
helmet
shoulder pads
rib pads
girdle
hip pads
knee pads
practice pants
1 mouth guard

Players only need to provide their own practice jersey and football cleats (no steel spikes)and any additional mouth guards.

The Palos Stars will provide Cheerleaders with their uniforms. Participants will need to provide their own cheerleading shoes.

TEAM DIVISIONS
We will have to wait and see if there are any changes for the 2009 season by the Southwest Midget Football League for our conference. The 2009 age and weight limits by teams are listed below.  Teams are still determined by age (by 9/1/09) and weight as follows:

SUPER PEE WEE
Age: 7 - 8 - 9
Weight: up to 80 pounds

PEE WEE
Age: 9 - 10
Weight: up to 100 pounds

JUNIOR VARSITY(Lightweights)
Age: 10 - 11 - 12
Weight: up to 120 pounds

VARSITY
Age: 11 - 12 - 13 - 14
Weight: not to exceed 170 pounds


CHEERLEADERS
(will be split into groups depending on number of participants)
Age: 7 to 14


We hope you will join us as we look forward to a great 2009 football season.

Thank you for visiting us today.