Semi-pro team asks to use Monessen’s football stadium

The PA Dawgz would host four games in May & June.

Representatives of PA Dawgz Football are seeking permission to use Monessen City School District’s stadium for football games.

The semi-professional football team is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing competitive football opportunities while promoting discipline, teamwork, leadership and positive community engagement, according to a proposal submitted to the school district. Players range from ages 18 to 70.

Coach Chelsea Wiley and owner David Mosley came to the school board’s March 3 public information agenda meeting to explain what their team does, what they will be using with the stadium if the board approves their usage at tomorrow’s regular meeting and a little about the team itself.

They are asking to use the stadium, concession stands and locker rooms for their games and team-related activities on Saturday afternoons in the summer, which will occur May 23, June 6, June 20 and June 27. They currently practice at a Charleroi elementary school field.

“We think it would be really great to just bring some extra athletic volume to the area, hopefully to help increase some usability of the field and bring some marketing to town,” Wiley said. “Extra consumers help here. Plus there would be an outside team here, and their families as well.”

Mosley said they’ve had a good turnout in the past when they have used Monessen’s fields before, adding that they want to drive more traffic into the area.

“We have a lot of players who went to Monessen, so that is what inspired us to do our uniforms in the colors of Monessen,” Mosley said. “Our first year, we went undefeated, and went to the championship, and we lost. They got upset about it, backed off, took the years off and now, this is kind of like our last run at it before we get too old, and unable to do it again.”

According to the proposal, they have a $5 million general liability insurance policy to ensure the district is fully SEMI-PRO •A2

“We think it would be really great to just bring some extra athletic volume to the area, hopefully to help increase some usability of the field and bring some marketing to town.”

DAVID MOSLEY

OWNER, PA DAWGZ protected, and they take security at their games seriously as they hire their own designated security personnel.

They also have controlled entry points, a zero tolerance drug/alcohol/weapons with fans or players, post-event clean up and more. They will also pay for the painting of lines on the field.

“When you think of an adult football team, you think the fans are drinking, smoking, all of that stuff, but it’s not that at all,” Mosley said. “The fan base is the parents and the family members of the players. We are playing in front of maybe 150 people. There’s more people at a high school game than at our games, but there are opportunities for these guys.”

According to Mosley, security will be stationed throughout the area to make sure the area is safe and secure. Wiley said they make sure to leave the field better than how they found it.

“We really like Monessen too because of the fact that it’s super private,” Wiley said. “There’s not anyone that can just pull up and watch without coming inside. Being an official guest is important to us.”

A lot of the team’s family members are interested in helping at the concession stand, according to Wiley. They have a pizza shop that is sponsoring them, so there will be pizza options and other snacks/drinks.

School board member Doreen Smith asked about games if there is inclement weather because she said it would ruin the field if they played while it was wet.

Wiley said they do not want to cause any damage at all. Mosley said a cancellation is a forfeit, but if that is what it has to be, then they would stick with the forfeit.

If they make it to the playoffs, Mosley said those would take place in July, followed by the championship in August.

“We really enjoy being at Monessen,” Mosley said. “Our hope is to bring that championship to Monessen.”

More information about the team can be found at 724276-4218 or padawgzfootball@gmail.com.