LEXINGTON, Ky. – NCAA Football today announced that it awarded 104 college replica apparel grants to youth football teams nationwide. As a part of NCAA Football’s Youth Initiative, a three-pronged national program that began in 2008, 2,496 young athletes have been outfitted in collegiate youth jerseys and pants from the team of their choice this football season.
“A part of NCAA Football’s mission is to encourage kids to aspire to attend a university after high school,” said Bob Vecchione – chair, NCAA Football Youth Initiative Committee. “We hope to inspire them further by outfitting them in authentic uniforms from their favorite collegiate teams.”
Since 2008, NCAA Football has awarded nearly 500 grants to youth football teams and leagues in partnership with Russell Athletic – a value of more than $500,000. Nearly 12,000 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 $160,000 was awarded to the following youth football organizations:
Alabama
Montgomery
· Elite Youth Sports of Montgomery
Arizona
Gilbert
· Empowerment Through Sports
California
Santa Cruz
· Santa Cruz Pop Warner Football
El Segundo
· El Segundo Youth Football
Florida
Fort Pierce
· Fort Pierce Ravens
Miami
· Miramar Optimist Wolverines Football
· South Florida Sports League
Orlando
· Pine Hills Youth Sports
Georgia
Decatur
· Decatur Army Youth Athletics
Evans
· Riverside Bulldogs
Lithonia
· Georgia Thoroughbreds Athletic Association
Marietta
· Osborne Junior Cardinals
Illinois
Chicago
· Chicago Razorbacks Youth Football
Louisiana
New Orleans
· New Orleans Recreation Development Commission
Massachusetts
Lowell
· Lowell Pop Warner
Michigan
Detroit
· Think Detroit PAL
Ypsilanti
· Ypsilanti Panthers Football
Missouri
Florissant
· St. Louis Jr. Devils Youth Association
Hazlewood
· North County Falcons
Nebraska
Omaha
· Northwest Tigers Football Association
New York
Bronx
· Bronx Giants Youth Football
Brooklyn
· Mo Better Jaguars Football
North Carolina
Charlotte
· Miragoals
Ohio
Cleveland Heights
· UH Blue Streaks
Ontario, Canada
Ottawa
· 3rd & 1 Football
Rhode Island
Riverside
· East Providence Junior Townies Pop Warner Football
South Carolina
Rembert
· Sumter-Lee Lions Youth Football
Tennessee
Memphis
· Memphis Steelers Youth Football
· Sherwood Falcons
Washington
Wenatche
· Central Cascades Pop Warner League
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 2013.
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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 Athletics 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.