In 2010 the Niagara Police Athletic League celebrated four decades of service to youth. The following is a chronological history of the Niagara Police Athletic League. In Niagara PAL’s forty plus years it is estimated that more than 500,000 youth have participated in PAL programs and between 8,000 and 10,000 volunteers have contributed approximately 400,000 hours.
1967 Niagara Knights 105lb football team – the forerunner to Niagara PAL *
1970 Added baseball started actual PAL
1974 Attended first National PAL tournament - basketball in Indianapolis.
1976 Hosted national PAL basketball tournament (first of many)
1981 Started scholarship program that developed into the Students of Excellence *
Started Festival of lights basketball tournament (Currently the Cataract City Classic) *
Hosted National PAL basketball tournament
Hosted fighters from the Derry City, Ireland Rosemont boxing club
1982 Brought back the Bicycle Safety Rodeos *
1983 Established the Sports Awards Dinner *
Charter member International Year of the Youth, as commissioned by the United Nations
1984 Olympic trials marathon
Students of Excellence *
Hosted National PAL boxing tournament (Michael Tyson fought)
1985 International Youth Conference – Japan - International Year of the Youth
1986 Festival of Lights added girl’s teams
Christmas in July and December at Children’s Hospital
1987 Magna Charta exhibition
Established SADD chapters in Niagara County schools
1988 NF Grand Prix
1989 Elementary School Run *
Hosted National PAL baseball and basketball tournaments
1990 Instructional soccer program *
1991 Niagara Nights midnight basketball
Youth Forum *
1992 16 & under girls basketball national PAL champion
1993 World University Games – hosted two venues, gymnastics and baseball
Jeff Paterson and Katie Crocker (Curry) first recipients of
Presidential Youth awards in the United States
1994 Christmas in July and December at School 84
Youth Forum Community Leader’s luncheon
1995 Can/Am (now Alan R. Elia Memorial Basketball Tournament) *
1996 Hosted National PAL Youth Festival
1997 Hosted National PAL Youth Festival
1998 World Baseball Congress – Japan
Kidz & Kites *
Exchange program with New York City PAL
1999 Youth Court *
National PAL Youth Enrichment Act – co-authored and lobbied for passage
2000 Do The Right Thing *
2001 Every 15 Minutes *
2002 Easter Event *
Partnership for Youth
2005 Breakfast with Santa *
Spooktacular *
PAL Youth Leadership Conference – DC
2006 Mark “Chief” Williams Memorial basketball tournament *
Twelve Days of Xmas *
Great Niagara Steakout *
2007 Girls lacrosse *
Youth to Youth literacy *
Affecting Youth TV show *
2010 Fine Arts Awards *
2011 Elementary School Basketball League *
Elementary School Soccer program *
High School Boy’s Lacrosse *
2012 Instructional Golf program *
PAL Festival & Telethon *
2013 “Cops & Kids” Four Mile Run *
Holiday Card Signing *
* Program still in existence