The Wilchester Men’s Club

On a crisp fall Saturday by the campus of Wilchester Elementary School, families gathered at a nearby football field for an annual tradition that draws a Houston community together. Large tents are set up, excitement is high, and nerves even higher as the annual Wilchester Men’s Club Pecan Bowl football season kicks off. 

Wilchester Men’s Club is a beloved nonprofit organization made up of men of all ages committed to contributing to the community, raising money for charity, and having a fun time together. It was founded in 2010 by neighbors Rick Byrd, Jeff Gentil, Steve Vierra, Jack Emery, Paul Oliphant, and Doug Goodson when they saw an opportunity to create a club that is not only fun but raises money for charity. 

A NEIGHBORHOOD TRADITION The Wilchester Men’s Club hosts the annual Pecan Bowl football tournament, bringing the community together while raising money for charity. Four flag football teams – East, West, South, and North – compete in semi-final matchups leading to a championship game. Pictured: Nathan Hill. (Photo: Big Pineapple Productions)

“What started as an occasional happy hour event for dads evolved into a formal 501c (3) nonprofit focused on driving philanthropy through fraternity in our small pocket of west Houston,” said one of the founding members, Jeff Gentil. Over time, the club evolved into what it is today, with 600 members who come together for camaraderie, charity, and friendship.   

Membership for the club is free, based on a donation model, and open to men of all ages who reside in the zip code 77079 zoned to Wilchester Elementary. Since its inception, the WMC has donated more than $600,000 to local causes, with annual contributions now exceeding $85,000 to $100,000. The club expects to surpass $100,000 in donations in 2025.

David Adame (in coverage); Charles Chapline (with ball); Stuart Wilhite (receiver). (Photo: Big Pineapple Productions)

“We’re here to do good,” said WMC president John Buri. “Whether it’s lifting up our community, strengthening bonds within the neighborhood, or teaching our kids the value of serving others, it’s about creating something bigger than ourselves.”

The traditions have grown over time, and a favorite tradition, the annual Pecan Bowl Football Tournament, is still going strong 15 years later. It started when some of the founding members rallied 30 dads to meet on New Year’s Day for a flag football game. But the Pecan Bowl is about more than just competition.

Brady McBride (with the ball). (Photo: Big Pineapple Productions)

“[Pecan Bowl] has taken on a life of its own,” said Jeff. “There are now uniforms, team yard signs, a few hundred fans, sponsors, and most importantly, the opportunity to give back.” 

Each year, the tradition continues, with players who come back year after year, fresh players who have recently moved to the neighborhood, and players who have hung up their cleats who come to cheer from the sidelines. 

Matt Worsham (in red); and Chase Gentry. (Photo: Big Pineapple Productions)

“Everyone in the neighborhood looks forward to the Pecan Bowl each year,” said member John Hampton. “It is a really fun tradition and at the end of the day, it raises money for all of our giving partners.”

The teams are made up of men – ranging in age from 30s-50s – from the club. The teams face off in two semi-final games which rotates opponents annually – this year, it was West versus South and East versus North; in 2025, it will be North versus South and East versus West – with a final championship game just before Christmas.

BROADCASTING THE ACTION Adding an ESPN-style flair to the event, the Pecan Bowl broadcast team brought energy and play-by-play commentary to the game. Here, they stand proudly with the trophy. Pictured, from left: WMC President John Buri, John Hampton, Matthew Hawthorne, and Grant Butrum. (Photo: jackophoto.com)

The football field at Westchester Academy is now known as the "Taco Cabana Memorial Stadium," a nickname affectionately given to the field for its proximity to the nearby Taco Cabana.

This cherished tradition has become the highlight of the year for families of all ages, from toddlers to teens. While players battle it out on the field, fans wave streamers, sip coffee, and share Shipley’s donuts while kids toss footballs around the sidelines.

The West Team matched up against the East in Pecan Bowl 2024. (Photo: Big Pineapple Productions)

This year’s Pecan Bowl XIV kicked off with a chili cookoff and happy hour in November, setting the stage for the next four weeks of competition and community spirit. Each fall, its members train in late-night practices after the kids go to bed, and strategy planning sessions to prepare for the Pecan Bowl. Four teams representing the neighborhood’s four sections – East, North, South, and West – compete for the coveted championship title. This year, East took home the big trophy.

Team captains led the teams: Matt Cooper and Todd Porter (North), Jorge Martinez and Brandon Fleetwood (East), John Grygar and Jeff Peterson (South), and Rene Meza and Steven Craig (West). The action comes alive with spirited commentary from the WMC Broadcast Team, including John Buri, John Hampton, Grant Butrum, and Matthew Hawthorne, adding an ESPN-style flair to the game.

The West Team matched up against the East in Pecan Bowl 2024. (Photo: Big Pineapple Productions)

WMC board member and dad-of-two Matt Gronseth has played in the Pecan Bowl for the past nine years. He was forced to sit out during the championship game due to a torn hamstring in the playoff game. “It was really hard to not play in the final game,” said Matt. “But we have such a great group of guys. If someone gets hurt and must sit out, there are always more available to step in.” Matt also serves as the softball commissioner, planning the annual spring softball tournament, the Spring Classic.

In 2024, the club launched the “WMC PorchCast,” a video and audio podcast featuring various guest speaker members of the club, who gather on a member’s back porch to talk about neighborhood news, fatherhood, education, ideas, and community. The PorchCast episodes, including a recent one about Pecan Bowl XIV, can be found on Spotify and YouTube.

COMMUNITY SPIRIT The East team celebrated a hard-fought win at the annual football tournament as confetti showered the fans. The annual event supports local charities in Houston. (Photo: Big Pineapple Productions)

Family members of the club’s members also enjoy being a part of the experience. “When we first moved into the neighborhood, we did not know many people and I thought, ‘what is this football league my husband wants to do?’” said mom-of-three Alexis Valentine, whose husband Cory plays for East. “Five years later, it is something the whole family looks forward to being a part of, and the friendships we have made keep growing.”

Alexis said she enjoys cheering alongside the families at their kids' sporting events as well as on the sidelines of the Pecan Bowl. “One of my favorite things is not only the strong bond the men have for one another but the relationships the wives have formed,” she said. “We have spent most of our evenings cheering on our kids in some activity, and it is now the dads’ turn to show their leadership on the field.”

The broadcast team keeps fans excited, including (from left) John Hampton, Grant Butrum, and John Buri. (Photo: Big Pineapple Productions)

In addition to fun, the WMC focuses on youth outreach, education, and supporting neighbors in need. Beneficiaries include the Spring Branch Educational Foundation, Raise Up Families, Family Point Resources, and Sleep in Heavenly Peace.

According to Spring Branch ISD, 58 percent of the over 33,000 students in the school district are considered “economically disadvantaged,” and 52 percent are considered “at risk” of not graduating high school. In addition, low-income children have less access to books and computers, and parents are less involved in school activities. The WMC directs its resources to help overcome these limitations.

Walker Stanley cheers on his dad, Brett Stanley, from the sidelines. (Photo: Big Pineapple Productions)

The club does not just write checks – members roll up their sleeves for community projects like school cleanup days and building beds for children in need as part of the "Build a Bed" initiative. The WMC also knows how to have fun. Seven themed happy hours throughout the year bring members together for barbecue, chili cookoffs, crawfish boils, and plenty of laughs. These gatherings help neighbors bond, welcome newcomers, and give a sense of belonging in a big city.

Beyond the Pecan Bowl, WMC hosts events like the Spring Classic Softball Tournament in February, WashToberFest washer competition, and the Battle for the Bayou golf tournament against the Nottingham Forest Men’s Club. Each event draws over 100 participants, where competition and camaraderie go hand in hand.

David Lecky celebrates with teammate Ben Bredthauer. (Photo: Big Pineapple Productions)

Members are of all life stages, from those raising toddlers to empty nesters. “One of my best friends I met through WMC has three daughters in college, and I have a two-year-old,” said Walker Agnew, a board member.

“WMC gets credit for hosting great events, but our greatest contribution to the neighborhood is creating a sense of community that exists beyond the events,” said member Grant Butrum. “Through our bonds, we can accomplish amazing things for our community. We exist to do good, and we use each event as our pulpit to reinforce that mission to our neighborhood.”

Members of the Wilchester Men’s Club eagerly anticipate the annual Pecan Bowl Football Tournament. Pictured (top row, from left) are Matt Meade, John Buri, Tim Zacharias, Walker Agnew, and (kneeling) Matt Gronseth. (Photo: jackophoto.com)

As the Wilchester Men’s Club gears up for its 15th anniversary in 2025, it is not just your run-of-the-mill neighborhood social club – it is a community that builds bonds, makes a difference, and creates traditions that will last for years to come.

See more about the Wilchester Men’s Club at www.wilchestermc.org. All those who live as permanent residents zoned to Wilchester Elementary are welcome and are automatically members by registering at the WMC website.