About Us

The Lakeland Gators Youth Athletic Association, Inc. was established in 1967 as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing the youth of Lakeland, a place to enjoy the sports of football and cheerleading. While having fun, children learn valuable lessons about honesty, teamwork, loyalty, and respect.
The Lakeland Gators maintain a winning tradition both on and off the field.
The goal and focus of the Lakeland Gators is to promote a safe and enjoyable environment for young athletes to participate and excel in football and cheerleading. To develop a true sense of sportsmanship and teamwork and nurture the fundamentals of honesty, integrity, and a positive self-image. It’s our belief that these values and virtues are important to their growth and to them becoming active members of our community and society.
bylaws & policies
2023 Board of Directors
Executive Members

President
Hope Ruhstorfer

Vice President
Nick Somaribba

Athletic Director
Chris Hansen

Cheer Director
Brittney Freeman

Secretary
Jessica Brumfield

Treasurer
Amber Watts
Board Members

PR Coordinator
Jamie Escobar

Registrar
Ginger Rogers

Fundraising Manager
Christina Horlick

Equipment Manager
Josh Gibbons

Asst Equipment Manager
Jason Cissell

Concession Manager
Wendy Ruhstorfer

Team Parent Coordinator
Sara Provost

Web Manager
Shaundrea Ruhstorfer/Jamie Escobar

Security Coordinator
Travis Rogers
It doesn’t matter what you’re trying to accomplish. It’s all a matter of discipline.
- Wilma Rudolph
The conference
We are part of the Tri-County Youth Football & Cheerleading Conference. Tri-County consists of 14 highly respected and successful youth tackle football and cheerleading organizations in Hillsborough, Polk, and Pasco Counties on the west coast of Florida to provide a safe, secure, competitive, and fun environment for our children to learn to tackle football and cheerleading.
Tri-County Youth Football and Cheer Conference (TCYFCC), established in 2013, is dedicated to local communities by promoting the wholesome development of student-athletes through the association with exemplary adult leaders in the sports of football and cheer.
