When Samantha and Drew Neddo moved from Broad Ripple to Nora with their sons Simon, 6, and Ezra, 3, they knew they wanted to get plugged into their new neighborhood. Living just across 86th Street from First Baptist, they quickly noticed all the activity and excitement out on the fields. Hearing good things about FBA from friends, they decided to enroll Simon in the baseball program. 

The Neddos found FBA to be well-organized, and they appreciated staff’s efforts to accommodate their family’s schedule. With a great first sports experience under his belt, Simon went on to play soccer and flag football at FBA, too. 

The Neddo family loves being able to ride their bikes to games and practices, and they enjoy the positive environment at FBA. “All Simon’s coaches have been so nice,” Samantha says. A Chatard graduate, Samantha was surprised to find that all three of Simon’s flag football coaches were fellow alumni. She appreciated the shared nostalgia amongst them. 

Samantha says that Simon is definitely more interested in the social rather than the competitive aspects of team sports. This spring, he made a touchdown during a flag football game and didn’t even realize that he’d made one.  A sports league like FBA that places the emphasis on values over competition is the perfect place for a kid like Simon to experience team sports. 

Samantha’s husband, Drew, coached Simon’s soccer team and liked that the staff provided him the rules but gave him the flexibility to find his own coaching style. He felt “super supported” by FBA staff and the other parents. His team didn’t have an assistant coach that season, and “every parent out there just kind of volunteered to help out in different ways,” Samantha says. 

When asked if there’s anything she’d like to change at FBA, Samantha’s only request is: “Please start a soccer program for 3 year-olds. My youngest one is eager to play!” Even if Ezra has to wait until age four, the Neddos plan to continue playing sports at FBA until their boys age out of the programs.