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Youth football program a lifelong passion for Segobianos
By Sharon K. Wolfe
swolfe@pantagraph.com
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BLOOMINGTON — Once a Knocker, always a Knocker. So say Paul and Barb Segobiano, who have given their all to Twin City youth football for 50 years -- a commitment to community service recognized when Bloomington Mayor Steve Stockton named a recent Saturday in their honor. | Photo gallery

Appropriately, it was the final day of the current season for the four teams and more than 100 players.

Paul Segobiano founded the Bloomington Knockers Youth Football Program in 1957. He has been a volunteer coach and program director ever since, while his wife, Barb, has supported the league in everything from fundraising to doing the team laundry.

It takes a lot of devoted volunteers — 24 coaches, a dozen field workers, 15 to 20 concessions workers and two people in the equipment room — to make the games a reality for the four teams, whose members range from age 8 to eighth grade.

“We have a saying: Once you’re a Knocker, you’re always a Knocker,” said coach and son Mark Segobiano, who sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” that crisp fall Saturday with the teams and the cheerleaders neatly attired in green and white.

In the crowd was Justin Hale, 19, a wrestler majoring in physical education at Lincoln College and a Knocker for five years.

“It teaches toughness, hard work, pride. You learn discipline, respect, the fundamentals of football … and time management,” he said.

“And then there’s the gold helmet. I worked hard to get it. Only varsity players get to wear it. It’s like winning the gold in the Olympics,” Hale said.

Paul Segobiano sprays those helmets with a fresh coat of metallic gold paint every Thursday before a game.

“They took their own time to spray it. You had freshly sprayed golden helmets sparkling in the sun,” Hale said.

“The gold helmet is symbolic — there’s bigger and better things ahead,” added Paul Segobiano, who recently was given a signed photo from Georgia Tech quarterback Taylor Bennett. He wrote: “Where it all began — the Bloomington Knockers.”

But painting helmets is light stuff compared to the laundry. For 46 years, Paul and Barb Segobiano did team laundry at home, unless it was really grungy and they took it to a coin-operated laundry. The team bought a washer and dryer for the equipment room at White Oak Park four years ago.

Four teams of 30 players means 120 pairs of pants and 120 jerseys, plus 35 tops and 35 bottoms for the cheerleaders get washed after eight games.

“To me, it’s so natural. It’s something we’ve done for so long,” Barb Segobiano said.

Practice starts in mid-August.

Mark Segobiano has coached for 32 years, and his brother, Matt, for 29. Their cousin, Jeff Segobiano, has coached for more than 20. Another son, Mike, of Chicago, was a Knockers player along with his brothers. Paul and Barb Segobiano’s daughters are involved, too. Pam Highland is concessions stand manager, and Paula Weiland is assistant cheerleading coach.

Heading fundraising is Matt Segobiano’s wife, Nikki, making it possible to join the Knockers for an affordable $25. Three granddaughters and one great-granddaughter are cheerleaders. The youngest is 5.

And that is the short list of Segobiano family involvement. Nearly a dozen other family members are involved in various ways.

Among the many other volunteers who aren’t relatives are the Tony and Amy Cottone family, who help in several areas, and Carol Etchison and Todd Harrison, who manage the equipment room.

Meanwhile, the younger Segobianos are learning about the traditions, including grandson Brett Segobiano, son of Mark and Cindy.

“I am not shy at all. I have been a Knocker all my life,” said Brett, who is 9 and plays on the bantam team. “My dad says, ‘Play to win. But if you lose, have fun. If you win, you have more fun.’”

Brett was astonished when a player joyously somersaulted over the goal line instead of running.

“You can’t celebrate like that,” Brett said. An adult reassured him it counted as a touchdown.

But Knockers don’t count touchdowns like other teams. Their creed is doing your best and not comparing yourself to others.

“We never keep records, not even of wins or losses for the seasons. It’s not that important,” Paul Segobiano said.

Added Barb Segobiano: “We will not play championship games against competition because all our boys are champions in our eyes. We feel it’s too intense. It’s not the NFL.”

Take a look
Knockers Football Director Paul Segobiano, front right, talks about his history with the organization, while first-time coach Tyler Eades, 18, of Hudson carries hitting pads before practice starts at White Oak Park in Bloomington on Oct. 9, 2007. (Pantagraph/B Mosher)
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Reader comments on this story - 19 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Pee Wee Football Fan wrote on Nov 7, 2007 2:59 PM:

" I still am confused as to why a lot of professionally written messages that I know have been submitted regarding this article are not posted. I guess I thought this was an open forum where people could weigh in on topics. I understand the need to screen out profane or abusive language (none of these omitted postings had anything close...) but I was hoping that free speech was still possible via the Pantagraph. I truly hope I am wrong but I have no other explanation. "

Maria Segobiano wrote on Oct 25, 2007 5:27 PM:

" I loved growing up around the atmosphere of the Knocker field. Grandma and Grandpa, you have taught me along with the youth of the community the importance of discipline and respect and so much more. This family is so strong because of your work. I love everyone in the Knocker family back home, sorry I couldn't get in town Saturday! Go Green =) "

Knockers Fan wrote on Oct 23, 2007 8:25 PM:

" Everyone is going to have their opinion one way or the other about every program. You're not going to please everyone all of the time because everyone has differing opinions...that's simply human nature. The main idea is to give these kids a positive place to go and the Segobiano family and their volunteers have done an excellent job at doing so, and I know this firsthand. The Segobiano's have done an excellent job during the last 50 years in helping many children. I'm sure the Segobiano's don't respond to the negativity because they don't need to. They know they've run an excellent program and they don't need to defend themselves. People who know them know what a great program they run. If this wasn't an excellent program they wouldn't have been around 50 years. Here's to 50 more!! GO KNOCKERS!! "

Pee Wee Football Fan wrote on Oct 22, 2007 7:25 AM:

" I must say I am impressed with how this family has built and sustained this program over the years. Clearly, it is a top notch program. However, I wonder if Paul and Barb are interested in how their teams are perceived by the other teams in the league. I know that there are a couple notes from what appear to be some of these teams but this is not the majority. Why are none of those "not so flattering postings" listed? It might be an opportunity for the Segobiano's to address some issues that have tarnished their good name in the football community. "

They made me the man I am wrote on Oct 20, 2007 10:42 PM:

" I was young, my father had bailed out, and I needed guidance. Mom said that I should try football for the "Knockers", why not. Of all of the memories, wins, losses, ups and downs, I still use today what those wonderful people taught me with my son. As said by "COACH" Paul- "There are only two colors on this field-Green and White....." That always sits in the back of my mind! Twenty years later my son came to me with an old picture faded and thought lost forever. Who is this man daddy, and how do you know him? That's "Coach" Paul Segobiano, and he and his family helped make me the man I am!! "

East Side wrote on Oct 20, 2007 9:12 PM:

" When I played for the knockers 27 years ago nobody on that team or any of the coaches cared what part of town you were from. I traveled 20 minutes everyday from the east side to O'Neil park and was very proud to be a knocker....still am today. "

adrian arrington wrote on Oct 20, 2007 7:23 PM:

" Yes once a knocker always a knocker, Coach matt thanks for setting the foundation for players like brandon hughes and myself. "

Great Job wrote on Oct 20, 2007 1:32 PM:

" And these are 'west sider' folks - so for those of you out there steriotyping the west side community - Don't knock 'em'! There are some very positive things going on for the west side community! Great story - keep up the good work Sego's!!!!!!!! You have always made a difference for our community in general. "

X-knocker wrote on Oct 20, 2007 1:25 PM:

" I was a PeeWee Knocker. I remember Paul and his family was always there for all of the player , not only as a coach, but also as a friend and mentor. It has been many years since I played and the values he instills today are the ones I learned 20 years ago Sincerely, Josh Leingang Baltimore ,md " "

Great Area Programs wrote on Oct 20, 2007 12:56 PM:

" I encourage all people to do their homework before signing up for any youth football program. They all have a little bit different philisophy. Pros and cons. Usually when you begin in one, you try to stick with one. I believe the head coach of the Varsity Bloomington Cardinals played six years in the NFL and was a stand out offensive lineman at BHS and the University of Illinois. He played Cardinal football for his entire youth program. Something to consider. It is about learning how to play the game on this level. "

Gary wrote on Oct 20, 2007 11:49 AM:

" Great story! Sure brings back great memories. My son played about 1969 to about 1972 for the Normal Mites. He loved the training and playing and still has positive memories of the games. He was very fortunate to have outstanding coaches. Thanks again George Gilmore, Jack Fillipone, Ron Gregory "

Thinking wrote on Oct 20, 2007 11:21 AM:

" There are many people who help out with the Knockers but, are not mentioned in the article. Some of these people have put years and long hours of dedicated service to the organization during football season and before and after the season. Thanks to all those people who have been their for the knocker organization for years and years of dedication. There are so in the community who know how much you have helped the Knocker organization. "

Congratulations! wrote on Oct 20, 2007 10:16 AM:

" What a great story about making a difference and giving back to your community. So many wonderful people committed to providing a positive experience for the youth of our community. "

.... wrote on Oct 20, 2007 9:40 AM:

" I love my knockers. "

niepy wrote on Oct 20, 2007 7:53 AM:

" Great to see the "GOOD" in our community! A big thank you to the Segobiano's and the Knocker organization. You have set a great example for our youth and have shown the importance of hard work and tradition. "

Irish and family wrote on Oct 20, 2007 7:08 AM:

" Congradulation on 50 years of devotion. The effort you all put into this progam is amazing. I know we are better for the years of Knocker Family experiances we shared with each of you and the coaches. 50 years is tradition. "

Bloomington Cardinals say... wrote on Oct 20, 2007 6:12 AM:

" Congratulations Bloomington Knockers on 50 years of youth football! "

Tom Benefiel wrote on Oct 20, 2007 1:03 AM:

" If their folks are anything like Mark and Pam, this is some high-quality stuff they are putting out. What a great story. They should play an exhibition against teams in the CIFL someday for fun. PS - Notre Dame can use all the help they can get. Maybe Charlie Weis should keep an eye on this league... "

Wow wrote on Oct 19, 2007 11:36 PM:

" Some people do such great things! "
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