As many in our community are aware, Wachusett Youth Football and Cheer (WYFC) has faced an unprecedented and deeply challenging situation this season. In September, our Board made the difficult but necessary decision to remove certain individuals from participation due to conduct that violated WYFC By-Laws and failed to align with our core values of safety, respect, positivity, and accountability.

Unfortunately, this decision has escalated into a legal battle. Michelle Gauvin and Jeff Berkowitz are suing our nonprofit league for a sum that would bankrupt WYFC and effectively end our ability to serve the hundreds of young athletes and families who rely on us.

Let us be clear: this lawsuit is not just an attack on our organization; it is an attack on the very foundation of our community. WYFC is a 100% volunteer-run nonprofit. Every dollar we raise goes directly to the kids—funding critical needs like equipment, field rentals, and events that bring our community together. No one on our Board or in our league receives a paycheck. This lawsuit threatens to wipe out everything we’ve built together and jeopardizes the future of youth football and cheer in Wachusett.

While we have no desire to litigate this matter in the media or bring unnecessary attention to our minor participants or volunteers, we cannot stay silent as the future of our league hangs in the balance. We stand firmly by the legality and necessity of the actions taken by our Board to protect the integrity of our program.

Now, we need your help. The mounting legal fees from this lawsuit are draining our resources and could prevent us from opening registration for the 2026 season—a heartbreaking outcome for the hundreds of children who count on us each year.

We’ve launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise the funds needed to defend our league and ensure that WYFC can continue to provide a safe, fun, and enriching environment for our young athletes. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference.

This is about more than just a lawsuit. It’s about standing up for our kids, our values, and our community. Together, we can overcome this challenge and ensure that Wachusett Youth Football and Cheer remain a cornerstone of our community for years to come.

Thank you for your support during this difficult time. Let’s show what we can achieve when we come together.

Wachusett Board of Directors