$100,000 grant given to support recovery efforts in Middle Tennessee
LEXINGTON, Ky. and NASHVILLE, Tenn. – NCAA Football today awarded the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl a $100,000 grant to support restoration efforts in Middle Tennessee following the devastating floods early last May. The record-breaking rains hit the Nashville-area hardest, resulting in widespread property damage, including youth football fields, parks and facilities.
“One of NCAA Football’s core objectives is to support and enhance youth football through our Youth Initiative,” said Mark Womack, president, NCAA Football. “It is always rewarding when we are able to give back to young athletes and communities in need of assistance, and we are proud to be a part of the rebuilding efforts in Nashville.”
“The Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl is committed to youth sports and we are appreciative to NCAA Football for its continued support within our community. This grant will greatly help as our local communities repair damages and replace equipment losses as a result of the flooding in May,” said Scott Ramsey, president and CEO, Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl.
NCAA Football’s Youth Initiative began in 2007 when the organization made a $750,000 commitment to help rebuild the New Orleans Recreation Department's youth football league following Hurricane Katrina. NCAA Football partnered with the Allstate Sugar Bowl, the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, Russell Athletic and Wilson, to provide youth clinics for coaches, players and officials; uniforms; equipment; and, a postseason banquet.
In 2008, NCAA Football committed $1.5 million to develop a three-pronged national youth program to include youth day clinics, apparel grants and a legacy gift to assist with the revitalization efforts for facilities benefitting youth in the host communities of the BCS National Championship. More than 6,600 young athletes have participated in 29 youth day clinics nationwide and 289 teams have been outfitted in college replica jerseys. In partnership with the Orange Bowl and Rose Bowl committees – hosts of the 2009 and 2010 BCS National Championship Games – football fields and parks have been revitalized in Miami and Pasadena, respectively.
“We are proud of our commitment to young athletes nationwide and especially in Nashville,” said Bob Vecchione, chair, NCAA Football Youth Initiative. “In partnership with the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl, more than 250 Nashville-area kids have participated in youth day clinics over the past two years. And, by providing this grant, NCAA Football has another opportunity to positively affect the lives of young players within the community.”
The Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl will distribute the $100,000 to local organizations that absorbed significant losses to facilities, equipment and infrastructure.
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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 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.
About the Bowl
The Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl (501(c)(3) non-profit organization) is an annual post-season collegiate Bowl featuring the Atlantic Coast and Southeastern Conferences. Televised nationally to millions of viewers and listeners on ESPN and Nevada Sports Radio Network, the Bowl is Nashville’s Holiday Tradition. For more information, call the Bowl office at 615.743.3130 or visit the Bowl online at MusicCityBowl.com. To get up-to-the-minute information, follow the Bowl on Facebook and Twitter.