To our families, athletes, alumni, coaches, volunteers, and supporters,
For 50 years, our youth football and cheer organization has been honored to serve the greater San Antonio community—impacting generations of young people through teamwork, discipline, leadership, and pride. What began as a place to play the game became a second home for countless families, a training ground for future leaders, and a source of lifelong memories.
For five decades, we have watched young athletes grow not only in skill, but in confidence and character. We have celebrated victories, learned from losses, and built bonds that extended far beyond the field and sidelines. Coaches gave their time, parents gave their trust, volunteers gave their hearts, and our athletes gave us moments we will never forget.
Today, with deep reflection and gratitude, we share that this chapter of our organization is coming to a close.
This decision was not made lightly. It comes after careful consideration and with great respect for the legacy that has been built here. While the organization may be closing, the impact it has had will continue to live on—in the lives it shaped, the lessons it taught, and the community it strengthened.
As Commissioner during this final chapter, I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to recognize the extraordinary individuals who made Columbia what it was.
I would like to extend a special heartfelt thank you to Lisel Rios and Nikisha Baker, our financial administration team. These women wore many hats during my tenure and were the backbone of our operations. They managed football and cheer registration, concession sales at home games, parent volunteer hours, fundraisers, homecoming events, banquets, and organized team parents each season. Their dedication, organization, and commitment were instrumental to our success.
I would also like to give a special heartfelt thank you to Coach Rick Barrera. Coach Rick was not only a coach on the Bandits staff—he was our true “Mr. Fix It.” When pipes burst, door handles broke, or mowers needed repairs, Coach Rick was always ready to jump in and get the job done. His willingness to serve wherever needed never went unnoticed.
I grew up in this program—starting at age five as a Patriot and finishing my journey as a Bandit. I would like to thank the coaches and staff volunteers I grew up knowing, who helped build and sustain Columbia’s illustrious tenure:
Darrell Danklefs (Charros), Mike Tavitas (Patriots), George Serna (Charros), Terry Prather (Patriots & Charros), Will Evans (Charros), Jim Coots (Patriots & Bandits), John Barry (Bandits), Saul Gonzales (Bandits), Elliott Turner (Bandits), Herman Noll (Patriots), Bill Freeman (Patriots), Troy Mathews (Charros), Wayne Penna (Vikings & Charros), Skip Merritt (Riders), Gale Penna (Cheer Director & Mom), Dora Zapata (Bookkeeper), Dora Serna (Bookkeeper), Mary Noll (Bookkeeper), and Mariella Gutierrez (Concessions & Bookkeeper).
To our Medics—Christopher Stevens, Jeffry Jones, Mary Gadison, and Sharon Penna (NAJIFF & Columbia Director of Medics)—thank you for overseeing the health and wellbeing of our athletes each weekend. Our injured athletes were always well cared for and supported on their journey back to play.
To Adrian Turner (Co-Commissioner) and Josh De La Rosa (Associate Commissioner)—from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Both alumni and successful head coaches, Adrian and Josh gave countless hours to Columbia: coaching young men, cutting grass and trees, painting buildings, disposing of trash, organizing, distributing, retrieving, and cleaning football equipment, assisting with league decisions, leading coaches, and supporting team parents. Your commitment was unwavering.
To Coach Elliott Turner (Bandits)—from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Coach Turner has spent years volunteering with Columbia long after his children completed the program. A successful assistant and head coach, he coached generations of players—not just to succeed on the field at the high school, college, or higher levels, but to become young men who contribute positively to their communities. He served as our eyes and ears for facilities and equipment and was always the first to open the gates and the last to lock up throughout the spring and fall seasons.
And finally, to Glenn Penna (Original Commissioner, NAJIFF Director, Head Coach—Charros, and Dad)—thank you from the bottom of my heart. Through you, I learned not only the fundamentals of football, but the importance of volunteering and serving the community. You mentored athletes, offered guidance, and taught us that wins, losses, and championships come and go—but character, effort, and perseverance endure. As NAJIFF Director, you led through countless on-field and off-field challenges, always ensuring football and cheer athletes had a first-class venue to create lifelong memories. Without your patience, guidance, and leadership, Columbia would not have endured for 50 years.
To every athlete who wore our colors, every cheerleader who lifted our spirits, every coach who believed, every parent who supported, and every volunteer who served—thank you. You are the reason these 50 years mattered.
Upon the settlement of all outstanding financial obligations of the 501(c)(3), all remaining proceeds will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Though this chapter ends, the values learned here—hard work, resilience, teamwork, and pride—will carry forward wherever our families and athletes go next.
With gratitude and respect,
Adam F. Penna
Commissioner
Greater NW Columbia Football League INC.
