KANSAS CITY, Mo. –Thieves stole thousands of dollars worth of equipment from a local youth sports organization.
It happened sometime before Monday, June 23, at Kansas City’s San Rafael Park off I-435, near Worlds of Fun.
The Necco Raiders have called the Northland park home for four decades. They wear 73 on their helmets honoring former youth player Tommy Simone, killed in 1983.
“We try to be a part of the neighborhood, we try to clean up the neighborhood as much as we can,” Raiders Head of Operations Phil Marsalla said.
Their workouts sound a little different this summer. Coaches have already had to break the news about what the break-in means in the short term.
“You could see the look in the kids face like oh that’s a huge disappointment. One of the things we love to do is play music during our practices and most importantly during our games,” Marsalla said.
When they showed up for last week’s OTAs they found both the team’s storage shed and concession stand had been broken into.
“Our equipment was all spread across the entire floor, helmets were on the ground, coolers were off the racks,” Marsalla said as he walked through the building.
They stole new unmarked helmets, tools, even snacks. But also something a lot more expensive.
“They took two big speakers, they took our speaker stands, took our P.A. system,” Marsalla said.
They also took the wireless system that connects to the team’s scoreboard.
“We don’t make any money out here, us coaches are all volunteer. So any little bit that we can to give back to the community, but when we get it taken from us it kind of breaks hearts, especially seeing all these little kids running around here,” Coach Matt Collins said.
The nonprofit K-8 program is used to fundraising. They already making plans to ensure the club’s 300 players have the equipment they need. They also hope the kids will have the joy of hearing their name on the loud speaker come this fall.
“You are going to face adversity throughout life, throughout sports and in everything you do. We’ll adapt, we’ll figure it out we’ll come together as a community.”
The theft is still under investigation. If you have information you are asked to call Kansas City Police. The club is fundraising to replace the stolen equipment through Venmo and Square.
