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 will be 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."
David Bertram - executive director, NCAA Football, added, "NCAA Football continues to make a significant investment in developing the next generation of college football fans and student-athletes, and the apparel grant program is one step in the right direction."
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.
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:
Arkansas
Little Rock
· Central Arkansas Broncos Youth League
· Central Arkansas Tigers Youth League
Texarkana
· Texarkana Saints Football
Connecticut
Manchester
· Hartford Hurricanes Football
Florida
Altamonte Springs
· Eatonville Rockets Youth Organization
Davenport
· Haines City Dolphins Football
· Northeast Rattlers Football
Jacksonville
· James P. Jarrell Youth Football
· Justina Youth Football
Orlando
· Community Concepts Services League
· Oak Ridge Youth Sports
Panama City
· Parker Pirates Youth League
South Miami
· South Miami Grey Ghost Football
Tampa
· Tampa Bay Panthers Youth Football
Illinois
East Dubuque
· East Dubuque Youth Football League
Hanover
· River Ridge Wildcats Football
Louisiana
New Orleans
· A.L. Davis Youth Football
· Digby Youth Football
· Easton Playground Youth Football
Shreveport
· Andrew Currie Community Center Football
· Bilberry Park Community Center Football
· David Raines Community Center Football
· Hollywood Heights Park Community Center Football
Massachusetts
Boston
· South End Titans Youth Football
Maryland
Baltimore
· Oldtown Gators Youth Football
Michigan
Detroit
· Motor City Pop Warner Chargers Football
Inkster
· Inkster Youth Athletic Association
North Carolina
Charlotte
· Freedom Drive Athletic Association
Hampstead
· Eastern Pender County Pop Warner Association
Havelock
· Harlowe Pop Warner Tigers
New York
Dubbs Ferry
· Dubbs Ferry Football Club
Fabius
· Toolon Tigers Youth Football
Utica
· North Utica Pop Warner Football Association
Ohio
Brooklyn
· West Memphis Wolf Pack Football
Cleveland Heights
· East Cleveland-Police Athletic League
Granville
· Sports 101 Youth Football
Richmond Heights
· Spartans Youth Sports Organization
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia
· Blackhawks Athletic Club
· Kingsessing Roadrunners Football
· Parkside Saints Youth Sports
Pittsburgh
· Steel Valley Youth Athletic Association
Upland
· Upland Borough Youth Football Club
South Carolina
Blythewood
· Eastside Raiders Youth Football Association Columbia
· Palmetto Youth Football
Tennessee
Lafayette
· Macon County Peewee Football
Texas
Duncanville
· Oak Cliff Redskins Football
Orange
· Orange Texas Longhorns Salvation Army Youth Football
Hampton
· Hampton Hawkeyes Pop Warner Association
Virginia
Norfolk
· Development of Youth Athletic 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 2011.
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Follow NCAA Football on Twitter: @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 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.