Reports and Stories by Peezy

  Continuing the story from the Gary Golden Bears and Jenny Dee Outlaws: (A strong possibility exists that Virginia "Jenny" Trice-Outlaw is the "Jenny Dee" for whom the original team was named.) Local Flag Football to Gary Golden Bears: A Gary, Indiana Sports Story Gary, Indiana has a history that includes the evolution of a local sports team. This report explores the transformation of a group that started as a local flag football team and became the semi-professional Gary Golden Bears, who played at Gilroy Stadium. The beginning of this story is a local flag football team. Their activities would have been centered on local recreational leagues or community gatherings. While there's limited direct historical information about this early team, its existence shows local football interest in Gary. A "Virginia 'Jenny' Trice-Outlaw" is mentioned online, possibly connecting to the team's early days. Gary's broader sports culture provides a co...

  The Gary Golden Bears: A Forgotten Football Legacy The Gary Golden Bears represent a semi-professional football team based in Gary, Indiana. Their story began as the Jenny Dee Outlaws, an eight-man tackle football club, a longstanding presence in Gary's park system. As local interest in football grew, the players organized as the Gary Bears and joined the Indiana Amateur Football League (IAFL). By 1983, Asbury Summers held the leadership roles of president and general manager for the Gary Golden Bears. The Gary Bears found success in the IAFL, competing against teams across Indiana. Their time in the league culminated in a memorable 1979 season where they clinched the League Championship with an impressive 9-1 record. This victory marked a pinnacle for the team within Indiana's amateur football landscape. Seeking tougher competition, the Gary Golden Bears joined the Northern States Football League (NSFL) in 1980. They made an immediate impact, reaching the playoffs in their d...