Hello Grinder Fans,

Click on the Miller for the 2012 Grinder Game Schedule and latest Score updates.

(Click on the Miller)

Click here for the IEFA Game Schedule

All home games will be played at Hare Field and will start at 4:00 PM.

Congratulations to the 2012 Grinders:

The 2012 Grinder Pre Season Schedule is posted below (click on the Miller)

Grinders Sponsorship Form

Indiana Elementary Football Association

(IEFA)

In 1958, Dick Nyers, then Carmel High School football coach, approached the Carmel Dads' Club concerning a traveling football team that could play against better competition in an effort to eventually upgrade the Carmel football program. After a few years, the Carmel team officials saw the need for conformity concerning the rules and in particular the age grouping of their competition. Neil Schmeltekop and Jerry York, of the Carmel Pups organization, approached other teams in the area that were facing the same problems. From this effort was born the old "Indiana Elementary Football Conference" with five charter teams.

In 1963, teams from Beech Grove, Carmel, Deaf School, Greencastle and Terre Haute played during the first season and continued as the "IEFC" until 1967. At that time, a set of by-laws and rules were written and the name of the organization was changed to the present day "Indiana Elementary Football Association". Charter teams for the first IEFA season included Arlington, Beech Grove, Carmel, Eagledale, Lawrence, Noblesville, Speedway and Terre Haute. The most recent set of by-laws were written March 26, 1984, and amended in May of 2012

Several teams have since joined the association while some have disbanded or dropped out of the league. Among those teams that are no longer a part of the league are Christian Park, Deaf School, Beech Grove, Greencastle, Mount Comfort, Eagledale, Arlington, Greenwood, Speedway, Tabernacle, Terre Haute North, Terre Haute South, Elwood, Pal Club, and Indy Parks. The current eighteen teams in two divisions that represent the Indiana Elementary Football League:

The association has long been recognized as the pinnacle of youth sports competition. The long standing purpose is to "develop and maintain a properly supervised football conference for youths in the fourth, fifth and sixth grades in the state of Indiana; to promote improved community relations by universal and compatible basis; to encourage physical and mental growth through keen competition; to emphasize good citizenship and scholastic achievement and to nurture good sportsmanship and a sense of fair play."

The immediate results of the league are seen by the respective high school programs that benefit from the league offering good competition and excellent training in technique. Literally hundreds of former IEFA players have continued on to compete at the high school, college, and even the professional level; but more importantly, the experience of working toward a common team goal while learning good sportsmanship and making friends has been the most important aspect of IEFA.