Pop Warner football names NFL Hall of Famer Steve Strawbridge as President and CEO

Staff Reports

Langhorne, PA – The board of directors of Pop Warner Little Scholars, the nation’s leading youth football and cheer organization, has hired Steve Strawbridge Jr. as its next president and chief executive officer. He succeeds Jon Butler, who retired at the end of the 2024 season after 33 years as executive director.   

Pop Warner also has promoted Tim Glase to executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Strawbridge was chief administrative officer of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and previously served as director of merchandising for the Philadelphia Eagles. He is only the fourth chief executive to lead Pop Warner Little Scholars since its inception in 1929. 

In Canton, Strawbridge managed operations, sales, and oversight of the Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week, including the annual NFL game, enshrinement ceremonies, and concert. He helped oversee construction of the youth fields for the National Youth Football and Sports Complex and the 23,000-seat Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, home of the prestigious Ohio State Athletic Association high school football state championship and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game., 

“When we began the search, we set out to find a leader who would embody the long-held values and vision of Pop Warner, possess impeccable leadership qualities, and demonstrate a genuine passion for youth development through sports. We found that person in Steve Strawbridge,” said Wynn Jessup, chairman of the Pop Warner board of directors. “Steve brings an enormous wealth of relevant experience in the sports industry, a respect for Pop Warner’s heritage and a passion for youth sports. Following three decades of extraordinary leadership from Jon, Pop Warner is excited to welcome Steve’s perspective on growing the organization to serve even more young people across football, cheer and dance.”

“Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working on the culmination of a player’s journey, celebrating their achievements and legacies,” said Strawbridge. “I’m excited to now be part of the earliest stage of those journeys, helping young student-athletes take their first steps, develop their potential, and build character through sport, education, and teamwork. Through football, cheer, dance and academics, Pop Warner’s mission of shaping young lives on and off the field is something I believe in deeply, and I look forward to helping grow that impact.”

“Pop Warner has taken a significant number of positive strides in recent years, and I’m looking forward to taking even bigger leaps forward as part of a revamped leadership team,” said Glase. “Steve’s career experience complements our team and his leadership capabilities will help us continue to drive innovation and growth to continue serving a dynamic roster of hard-working volunteers nationwide, and the thousands of young people who make Pop Warner so special.”

Pop Warner has more than 80 leagues and 850 local programs (associations) across the United States. It also hosts one of the largest national championship events in youth sports each December with 88 football teams competing in the Pop Warner Super Bowl, and nearly 500 teams competing in the Pop Warner Cheer & Dance Nationals.