The Milwaukee Youth Falcons organization was established in 1996 by Ben Kern—affectionately known as Coach Ben—with a mission rooted in community uplift and youth development. As a proud graduate of Bradley Tech High School in Milwaukee, WI, Coach Ben founded the Falcon “Dirty Birds” to instill the same intensity, passion, and discipline he experienced growing up. What began as a grassroots effort has since evolved into a championship-caliber program that builds more than athletes—it builds leaders.
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Under Coach Ben’s leadership, the Falcons have become a powerhouse organization, earning over fifteen championships across all three levels of play. However, the true victory lies in how the program challenges young men and women to strive for excellence beyond the field. Coaches and parent coordinators emphasize discipline in academics, the importance of scholarship, and the discovery of leadership and teamwork skills that prepare youth to become responsible, impactful members of their communities.
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Recently, Coach Ben passed the torch to his son, Evan Kern—a graduate of Marquette University High School, a three-sport athlete, and former cornerback for Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth, TX. “Everything I learned as a Dirty Bird helped me achieve my goals in life, including playing Division I football,” says Evan. “At the time, I thought it was just football, but I was learning life lessons.”
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Now, in an exciting new chapter, the Milwaukee Youth Falcons have partnered with Milwaukee Lutheran High School to launch the Future Red Knights—a joint initiative designed to inspire excellence on and off the field through football and cheerleading. This collaboration is focused on impacting the lives of youth by offering a holistic approach to development—helping student-athletes build character, confidence, and a sense of purpose. Together, we aim to serve as a guiding example for programs across the country by preparing young people not just for success in sports, but for meaningful careers—whether on a professional field or in a Fortune 500 company boardroom.
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The mission of the Milwaukee Youth Falcons remains steadfast: to enrich the lives of our youth through football and cheer, offering a safe, positive alternative to the challenges that often confront our communities. Our program is built on a foundation of safety, skill-building, leadership discovery, teamwork, discipline, and personal growth. We seek to create a model community through intentional social experiences, while nurturing the full potential of every student—mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and economically.
