Niagara Police

Athletic League

2025 Annual Report

The year 2025 was, for the most part, just another year in the books of Niagara PAL. Providing quality, positive and affordable (or no fee) programs to the youth of the Niagara and Northern Erie communities. Programs were stabilized, participation - in most cases - increased, including (but not limited to) chess, flag football, and tennis. One of the only negatives was “Do The Right Thing.” Submissions were down, allowing for only one TV ceremony during the year. A concerted effort will be made to revitalize the program in 2026.

Honors worth Mentioning:

-        PAL Board President Phil Mohr Jr. was selected as the Teacher of the Year by the Niagara Education Foundation. 

-        Long-time board member Mike Gentile, was inducted into the Greater Niagara Sports Hall of Fame.

-        Board member Willie Price was recognized by the Highland Block Club.

-        2^nd Vice President Mark Laurrie received the “Change Maker Award” from the Buffalo Bills, and a trip to the Super Bowl! Kudos to all!

2025 highpoints:

-        Increased participation in programing.

-        Increased Art Award nominees.

-        A lively, vibrant Breakfast with Santa with higher than usual attendance rates!

-        Flag football just keeps growing!

-        We were able to give 40 scholarships to graduated high school seniors.

As previously stated: just another year at Niagara PAL.

The highlight of the year was our 55^th Anniversary Celebration of Niagara PAL! The past, present and future of Niagara PAL was evident in the program displays and the people as we celebrated at the Crowne Plaza in Niagara Falls. Around 200 people were in attendance as we honored and celebrated our founders, living and posthumous. It was great to reconnect with so many past vital volunteers, to meet their families and to catch a glimpse into the future of Niagara PAL.  

 In 1967 four patrolmen and a radio dispatcher of the Niagara Falls Police Department obtained a franchise in the Western New York Tyro Football League and formed the 105lb Niagara Knights. The Knights were the genesis of Niagara PAL. Seven former players (Bruce Brundidge, Sam Giancola, Ned Perlman, Paul Granto Sr., Rick Ponzi, Bob Simpson, and Bill Castiglioni) of that team were able to join us and thoroughly enjoyed reliving their glory days on the gridiron.  Exciting news: we established a new PAL scholarship for a graduating high school football player that will be awarded at the annual Sports Award dinner. Criteria to be determined.

In 1970 the same group that started football was requested by the city Department of Recreation and the Kiwanis Club to take over a youth baseball program.  A way to do that needed to be found.  Niagara PAL came into being with assistance from Buffalo PAL and New York City PAL. A dozen or so NFPD officers were instrumental in creating a new organization, writing by-laws, mission statements, etc. The majority are no longer with us, but a few are:  James A. Gray, Bill Clark, both of whom were unable to attend. But one, Ray McGovern was able to make it, along with his entire family, three generations of them. They couldn’t express their gratitude enough for being a part of the beginning of PAL and the recognition of 55 years!