The ACJFL
​The league was formed in 1957 as a charter franchises with the Absecon Blue Devils, Brigantine Rams, Linwood
Panthers, Northfield Cardinals, Pleasantville Mighty Mites, Pleasantville Tornadoes, and Ventnor Pirates. The late Bob
Lacovara, who coached the Mighty Mites and later the Panthers, helped form the league along with Don Hudson,
Howard Savell and Lou Wagenheim. Bob was the first president of the ACJFL. Bob and his late wife, Ruth, also came
up with the name, `Sand Bowl’ for the season- ending All Star Games. Other teams have joined the league at one
time or another. Atlantic City Dolphins, Buena Braves, Egg Harbor Crusaders, Egg Harbor Township Orioles, Egg
Harbor Eagles, Galloway Mustangs, Hammonton Hawks, Margate Colts, Mays Landing Lakers, Ocean City Raiders,
Pleasantville Jokers, Somers Point Sharks, Venice Park Black Knights, Ventnor Tigers, and the Vineland Blitz.
The Atlantic County Junior Football League exploded in year 1957, just about the same time Russia was kicking off
the Space Age by launching the satellite “Sputnik” into the earth’s orbit. The average cost of a new house was
$12,000 and gas was 24 cents a gallon.
The baby boomer era was in full swing and kids needed something to do to occupy their time. The ACJFL was there to
fill the void, and the league was an instant success with the seven municipalities participating in year one. And
through the efforts of many dedicated people, the league has continued to flourish for sixty-five years to date. Bob
Lacovara, Lou Wagenheim, Howard Savell, and Don Hudson were visionaries and were instrumental in creating a
league that was considered one of the finest in the country at the time.