Robert G. Lefevre was one of the founders of The North Toledo Junior Football League in 1957. The league provided 6th-8th grade students an athletic outlet since junior high sports did not exist yet. The motto of the NTJFL was “Lend a hand, help a boy become a Man.”
Games were played at Joe E. Brown Park. In fact, actor Joe E. Brown was often in the audience. Boys from Chase, Cherry, Hamilton, Lagrange, Point Place, Riverside, Sherman, and Stickney schools wore donated old uniforms from Purdue University the first season until sponsors and fundraising could be held to purchase appropriate sportswear. The NTJFL league continued well into the 1970s, providing young boys the valuable lessons of mentorship and teamwork.
Robert Lefevre passed away in 2010. He is seen here at the right side of this picture next to Scotty Irvine in the middle. Irvine was longtime owner of Scotty’s Café on Bush Street and a supporter of the NTJFL.