LEXINGTON, Ky. –
NCAA Football today announced that it awarded 100 college replica
apparel grants to youth football teams nationwide. Through NCAA Football’s
Youth Initiative, a three-pronged national program that began in 2008, 2,400 young athletes have been outfitted in collegiate youth jerseys and pants from the team of their choice this football season.
“We are proud to provide young football players across the country with authentic college football jerseys,” said Bob Vecchione, chair, NCAA Football Youth Initiative Committee. “A part of NCAA Football’s mission is to encourage kids to aspire to attend a university after high school. We hope to inspire them further by outfitting them in their favorite collegiate teams’ uniforms.”
Since 2008, NCAA Football has awarded 289 grants to youth football teams and leagues in partnership with
Russell Athletic – a value of more than $400,000. Nearly 7,000 young football players have been outfitted in college replica jerseys through NCAA Football’s apparel grant program since its inception.
Grants are awarded based on youth involvement efforts and financial need. This year, a total value of $150,000 was awarded to the following youth football organizations:
California
El Segundo
· El Segundo Youth Football
Los Angeles
· Valley Youth Conference
· Santa Monica Youth Football
Moreno Valley
· Moreno Valley Pop Warner Football
Florida
Clearwater
· Clearwater For Youth Football
Jacksonville
· West Duval Youth Association
Ormond Beach
· Ormond Beach Pride
South Bay
· South Bay Sports Association
Georgia
Lithonia
· Metro Athletic Network
Marietta
· Osborne Gridiron Club
Kansas
Andover
· Crusader Youth Football Association
Louisiana
New Orleans
· New Orleans Recreation Development Commission
Massachusetts
Boston
· South End Titans
Maryland
Baltimore
· East Baltimore Longhorns
Maine
Lincolnville
· Five Town Football
Missouri
Florissant
· North County Falcons Athletic Association
Mississippi
Lexington
· Lexington Colts Youth Sports
North Carolina
Leland
· Wilmington Bulldogs
Lexington
· J. Smith Young YMCA
Ohio
Brooklyn
· West 53rd Wolverines
Maple Heights
· Bedford Heights Saints
Mayfield Heights
· Juggernaut Youth Athletic Association
Richmond Heights
· Conquerors Youth Sports
Oklahoma
Lawton
· Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club
Pennsylvania
Homestead
· Eastside Panthers Youth Football Association
Monroeville
· Swissvale Athletic Association
South Carolina
Columbia
· Gamecock Youth Football Association
Tennessee
Morristown
· East Tennessee Pop Warner
Virginia
Blackstone
· Nottoway Youth Football Association
Spotsylvania
· Stafford County American Youth Football Association
NCAA Football’s Youth Initiative strives to attract youth participants to the game, provide them with additional motivation to pursue higher education opportunities, help them develop the necessary skills to be successful on and off the field, and help to establish a new base of lifelong NCAA Football fans. Next season's apparel grant application will be available in spring 2012.
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@NCAAFootball
Find the NCAA Football Youth Initiative on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/ncaafootballyouth
About NCAA Football
NCAA Football USA, Inc. represents a coalition of the
American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), the Collegiate Commissioners Association (CCA), the
Football Bowl Association (FBA), the
National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), the
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the
National Football Foundation (NFF) and serves as the collective voice to promote college football. NCAA Football is managed by
IMG College, a division of
IMG Worldwide. For more information on NCAA Football, visit
www.NCAAFootball.com.