NCAA Football's Youth Initiative

NCAA Football values the importance of promoting college football to fans of all ages, especially to those who dream of playing the game.

In 2007, NCAA Football made a $750,000 commitment to help rebuild the New Orleans Recreation Department's youth football league through clinics for coaches, players and officials; uniforms, football and equipment donations; and a postseason banquet at the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.

Building on the success in New Orleans, NCAA Football committed $1.5 million to develop a three-pronged national youth program, including free youth football clinics, a college replica apparel grant and a legacy donation to revitalize youth football fields and facilities in BCS National Championship host communities.

Reaching More Kids Every Year...

Since 2008, the NCAA Football Youth Initiative has strived to attract more youth participants to the game, provide young athletes with additional motivation to pursue higher education, offer opportunities for kids to develop the necessary skills to be successful on and off the field, and to help establish a new base of lifelong NCAA Football fans.

Youth Football Clinics

NCAA Football’s youth clinics have more than doubled since 2008. Today, in partnership with 21 bowls in two football divisions, two conference championship games and one conference, NCAA Football has hosted more than 55 youth football clinics. More than 12,000 young athletes have had the opportunity to learn football skills, drills and fundamentals from college level coaches in their communities.

2013 youth clinic dates are located on our calendar of events.

Replica Apparel Grant

Since 2008, in partnership with Russell Athletic, NCAA Football has awarded 389 apparel and equipment grants to youth football teams in need. Nearly 10,000 young athletes have been outfitted in college replica jerseys and pants.

Applications for the 2013 apparel grantis now available. Click here for more information on the grant program.
 
Leaving a Legacy

Since the beginning, a large part of NCAA Football’s Youth Initiative has been focused on revitalizing youth football fields and facilities in BCS National Championship host communities. We have worked with all four respective BCS bowl committees and their communities to help restore and rebuild four parks, including Moore Park (Orange Bowl Committee; Miami), Robinson Park (Tournament of Roses Committee; Pasadena), Benedict Sports Complex (Fiesta Bowl Committee; Tempe), and Joe Brown Park (Sugar Bowl Committee, New Orleans East).

To date, more than 30,000 kids nationwide have been positively impacted by NCAA Football’s Youth Initiative, and counting…

 

Become a friend of the NCAA Football Youth Initiative Facebook page!

Be sure to check out the NCAA Football Youth Initiative on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/NCAAFootballYouth) for photos, videos, event updates and news on its youth football program.
 

And be sure to participate! Update us and other fans on your young athlete's progress by posting your own stories, photos and videos of their skills and sportsmanship on our Facebook wall. We want you to share everything from great plays to outstanding teamwork and giving back to the community.