HISTORY

Rose Tree Colts, born the Upper Providence Midgets, established by  Chief Bill Hampton, began on a field behind Sandy Banks School in Media in 1955. His dream of building a safe haven for neighborhood kids to come together through their love of football was ignited one day while watching his son, Bill, playing rat tag football with a dozen or so friends. He observed that a majority of the kids wore second hand football uniforms and not a single one had a full set of proper protective gear. That is when Chief Hampton decided to enlist his old friend, Arnold McMinn, in his idea of possibly bringing a football team to Media with full uniforms and equipment the possibility of eventually joining a local, organized league. With McMinn on board, and with the constant persistence of Chief Hampton's son, the Rose Tree Colts became a reality. While he hasn't been involved with the Colts for over 30 years, he has remained a large part of the Colts Nation. In 2012, during the annual Homecoming Game, a number of former players and coaches, along side existing members, came together and announced that they were officially naming their home "Chief Hampton Field" as a thank you for his many years of dedication and service.   

Since inception, the Rose Tree Colts have grown significantly and are now part of the Bert Bell Memorial League. Currently, the Colts consist of three flag teams (two in-house and one travel team), two 80-pound teams, two 100 pound teams and a 120-pound team. Each season, approximately 150 young players, plus 70+ young cheerleaders take part and it is estimated that over the years, 3,000+ youngsters have passed through the system. In fact, a majority of the Penncrest High School players would tell you they started their football career as a Colt.

As a non-profit organization, the Rose Tree Colts are fueled by the generosity of our community through individual donations, local merchants who purchase of yard signs, and a number of annual fundraising events coordinated by our dedicated board of directors.

THE ROSE TREE COLTS MISSION    

The goal of our organization is to provide a safe and productive environment that enables children to learn and apply the principles of teamwork, discipline, dedication, and sportsmanship. We facilitate the development of strength and character in every child that participates.
 
We are sustained by the efforts of volunteers who display an extraordinary amount of commitment and hard work, ensuring that our league is a positive influence in the lives of our children. We also strive to provide a service to our community by providing a healthy outlet for children, opportunities for the community to gather together, and endless hours of entertainment.