Rocket Football Operating Fund

The Rocket Football Operating Fund, aka Players and Coaching Legends Fund, is a fully endowed fund that was established on December 30, 1999 by Mick and Dorothy Natzel to defray the expenses and ultimately the cost to all children wanting to participate in the Rocket Football program.

Since its founding, donations and memorials have been received, increasing the principal in the endowment fund. Some memorials have been made in the name of former area players and coaches. The principal amount of each donation is perpetual and will remain in the fund forever. Only the annual interest earned, is presented to the rocket football programs each year.

Mick Natzel Sr. is the endowment director for the area rocket football programs and works in conjunction with the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation (MPACP) to raise money.  Each year, scholarship money to reduce the cost of registration and equipment expense is available for individual players in need. The needs of each program will be determined by the endowment director and the field directors.

The Rocket Football Program was formed at the same time to provide organized tackle football for area youth. The 1999 program consisted of six teams ranging in age from 8 to 14 years. One hundred and forty-four boys and girls participated in the inaugural year. Each spring approximately three to four hundred area youth register to participate in the fall.

The area teams are members of the Northern Rocket Football League, which has established all governing rules and regulations.