In December of 2007, three whole teams competing in the Pop Warner Super Bowl Competition at Walt Disney World were evicted from the Walt Disney World All-Star Resort because of a fighting incident at the hotel.
The teams involved were the Westport Patriots of Baltimore, the Kahalu’u Hei’eia Broncos of Kailua, Hawaii, and the Waianae Tigers of Waianae, Hawaii.
The teams given the boot were made up of kids between the ages of 14 and 16. Now, granted, kids that age have a lot of new testosterone running through their systems and get they worked up pretty easily but give me a break! These kids were at Walt Disney World, competing in the biggest sporting event they could possibly compete in at their age (except for the Olympics) and they decide they’re going to rumble at 1 am?
Let’s not forget that no matter which members of the teams were involved (news articles didn’t mention if there were any members who abstained), all members of the involved midget league teams, any family members traveling with them and all coaches as well as any others traveling with the involved teams, were made to leave the hotel.
What is happening to children’s sports when kids competing in something as important as the Pop Warner Super Bowl would risk their team’s disqualification for the sake of an old fashioned rumble? I mean please! You’re at Walt Disney World for Pete’s sake!
As a parent, I am sorely disappointed in the parents and chaperones that were with these teams. What I find particularly reassuring is that the people at Walt Disney World’s All-Star Resort were in contact with the Pop Warner officials as well as the local police during the incident and no harm came to any guests. It is great to know that the folks at Disney are looking out for their guests.