About
Bloomington Knockers Youth Football and Cheer offers tackle football, flag football, and cheerleading. Athletes can participate in tackle football or flag football, and cheerleaders can join tackle cheer or flag cheer that supports the football games.
• Ages: 5–13 years old
• Schedule: Tackle Football practices 3 times per week with games on 8 Saturdays; Flag Football practices 2 times per week with games on 6 Saturdays; Tackle Cheer practices 2 times per week and cheers on 8 Saturdays; Flag Cheer (K–3rd) practices 1 time per week and cheers on 6 Saturdays.
Bloomington Knockers Youth Football and Cheer was founded in 1957 and is described as the longest running youth football program in Central Illinois, with over 60 years of supporting young athletes. The program includes the largest flag football league in Central Illinois open to boys and girls from Kindergarten through 8th grade, and offers athletes five separate tackle football levels based on age. The organization’s mission states that since 1957 it has supported young athletes in learning teamwork, hard work, diversity, and having fun through football and cheer, with a focus on a positive environment, strong fundamentals, and “we not me” attitudes. The mission also states that the program values providing all athletes the opportunity to compete, having positive role models in coaches, supportive fans, and actively working to reflect the diversity of Bloomington/Normal, with an emphasis on community, engagement, personal growth, strong character, and being part of a lasting program family. The leadership team includes Brian Segobiano and Nick Cottone. The program operates in partnership with the Bloomington-Normal YMCA and was originally founded to provide a way for young athletes on the west side of Bloomington who had fewer resources to be able to participate, with the name “Knockers” originating from a local priest who had recently returned from a shrine in Knock, Ireland.
Last updated May 26, 2026.
• Ages: 5–13 years old
• Schedule: Tackle Football practices 3 times per week with games on 8 Saturdays; Flag Football practices 2 times per week with games on 6 Saturdays; Tackle Cheer practices 2 times per week and cheers on 8 Saturdays; Flag Cheer (K–3rd) practices 1 time per week and cheers on 6 Saturdays.
Bloomington Knockers Youth Football and Cheer was founded in 1957 and is described as the longest running youth football program in Central Illinois, with over 60 years of supporting young athletes. The program includes the largest flag football league in Central Illinois open to boys and girls from Kindergarten through 8th grade, and offers athletes five separate tackle football levels based on age. The organization’s mission states that since 1957 it has supported young athletes in learning teamwork, hard work, diversity, and having fun through football and cheer, with a focus on a positive environment, strong fundamentals, and “we not me” attitudes. The mission also states that the program values providing all athletes the opportunity to compete, having positive role models in coaches, supportive fans, and actively working to reflect the diversity of Bloomington/Normal, with an emphasis on community, engagement, personal growth, strong character, and being part of a lasting program family. The leadership team includes Brian Segobiano and Nick Cottone. The program operates in partnership with the Bloomington-Normal YMCA and was originally founded to provide a way for young athletes on the west side of Bloomington who had fewer resources to be able to participate, with the name “Knockers” originating from a local priest who had recently returned from a shrine in Knock, Ireland.
Last updated May 26, 2026.
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