2007 NFL Grassroots Awards
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Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix Rotary 100 - Jerry Colangelo Boys and Girls Club House
Phoenix Rotary 100 has been awarded a grant in the amount of $100,000 by the NFL Grassroots Program to assist in the construction of a grass football field at the Jerry Colangelo Boys and Girls Club House.
Phoenix Rotary 100 is Arizona's oldest and largest service club. It was chartered in 1914 and it is comprised of 350 civic, business and community leaders. For the past six years Phoenix Rotary 100 has partnered with the Arthur M. Hamilton School on a variety of youth and educational programs, including building a "Field of Dreams" at the Hamilton Elementary School Campus. Today, the field is utilized by Pop Warner and Arizona Flag Football.
In order to serve children and youth most in need, the field will be constructed on the grounds of the soon-to-be-built Jerry Colangelo Boys & Girls Club House. The field will enhance the programming at the Club House, providing outdoor space for football, soccer and basketball. In addition to the approximately 1000 children from the Boys & Girls Club that will utilize the field, schools from the Issacs School District will have access to the field for physical education classes.
The NFL Grassroots grant will be matched with funds from multiple sources including the City of Phoenix, the Phoenix Suns, Arizona Public Service and money raised by Phoenix Rotary 100. The project has received the support of the Arizona Cardinals, the Issacs School District and multiple local business and youth groups.
Sedona, Arizona
Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Arizona - Posse Ground Park
The NFL Grassroots Program has awarded the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Arizona a grant in the amount of $25,000 to help upgrade the field at Posse Ground Park in Sedona.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Arizona is a chartered member organization of the Boys & Girls Club of America, which has been in existence for nearly 145 years and serves the cities of Sedona, Cottonwood, and the Village of Oak Creek.
Improvements to the field at Posse Ground Park will include a public announcement system and speakers, heavy duty players' benches, scoreboard, goal posts and bleachers. These improvements will allow the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sedona to expand their youth football programming. In addition to their partnership with local youth football leagues, the club will start its own football league of approximately 100 children ages 6-18. The Sedona Junior High Football team will also utilize the field for practices and games. In total over 400 youth football players, along with the 10,000 people that comprise the Sedona community, will have access to the field.
The $25,000 NFL Grassroots grant will be matched with $85,000 of funding provided by the City of Sedona Parks and Recreation Department. The local football and soccer youth teams as well as the City of Sedona and the Arizona Cardinals are in support of this renovation.
Oakland, California
Friends of Oakland Parks and Recreation - Ernie Raimondi Field
The NFL Grassroots Program has awarded the Friends of Oakland Parks and Recreation a $50,000 grant to help renovate the Ernie Raimondi Field in West Oakland.
The Friends of Oakland Parks and Recreation is committed to serving as an advocate for Oakland's parks and recreation services and facilities.
Ernie Raimondi Field is currently undergoing a two phase project to completely renovate the field. The renovations include a multi-purpose synthetic turf field, a new playground, a baseball diamond, a putting green, site lighting, and American Disabilities Act upgrades. NFL Grassroots funds will be used to install four additional bleachers for the new field to accommodate players and spectators.
NFL Grassroots funds will be matched with over $1 million dollars in donations in grants from various foundation and private fundraising efforts.
San Diego, California
Mount Miguel High School Football Field
The NFL Grassroots Program has awarded the Mount Miguel High School a grant in the amount of $200,000 grant to install a new synthetic football field.
Mount Miguel High School has a diverse student body of over 1,900 students. The school is located in the southeast part of San Diego County in a low-income area. There are several community parks in the area but none large enough to accommodate football activities.
Mount Miguel High School's current football field has been in use since the school's inception, fifty years ago. Minor improvements have been made to the ancillary areas of the field but never on the football field itself. The football field is intensively used since it is the only large playing field in the area. The school anticipates being able to increase usage by 20% once the new turf is installed. The school's football team, physical education classes, local community groups and athletic clubs will have access to the renovated field.
Matching funds for the project will be provided by the Grossmont Union High School District. It is also being endorsed by local youth clubs, the school district and the San Diego Chargers.
San Francisco, California
San Francisco Unified School District - Galileo Academy Football Field
The NFL Grassroots Program has awarded the San Francisco Unified School District a grant in the amount of $200,000 to renovate the football field at the Galileo Academy of Science and Technology.
The Galileo Academy of Science and Technology is one of the largest public high schools in the district with over 2,000 students enrolled in grades 9-12. The field will be the only football field in the northeastern quadrant of San Francisco. The student body is quite diverse and nearly 62% of students are from economically disadvantaged areas.
The NFL grant will be used toward installing a synthetic surface for increased utilization of the field. The renovated field will allow the school to host football contests, enable youth to play football through Pop Warner, grant field usage to other schools and initiate partnerships with neighborhood groups. The school will also partner with the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department to offer community programming during non-school usage periods.
The school has received additional funding from the City of San Francisco, the Public Education Enrichment Fund and the Stadium Operator Admission Tax Fund. The San Francisco Department of Recreation and Parks, the Police Athletic League Youth Football, the City of San Francisco and the San Francisco 49ers have all voiced their support for the field renovation project.
San Leandro, California
San Leandro Unified School District - Burrell Field
The San Leandro Unified School District will upgrade the lighting system at Burrell Field with the help of a $50,000 grant from the NFL Grassroots Program.
The San Leandro Unified School District consists of 12 schools serving approximately 8,900 students in grades K-12.
Burrell Field is located at San Leandro High School in Marina Square. Marina Square is a neighborhood identified by the city as an area in need of rehabilitation. Because of Burrell's age, the facility has fallen into disrepair. Upgrades to the lighting system will include insulation of wiring to prevent outages caused by exposure to the elements. These upgrades will benefit not only the students at San Leandro High School, but the members of the San Leandro Youth Football and Cheerleading League as well as the community at large.
The NFL Grassroots grant will be matched by funds allocated from San Leandro Unified School District. The project has received strong support from the city's recreation department, local youth football leagues and various non-profits including the American Cancer Society and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Denver, Colorado
Indianapolis Parks Foundation
Denver Public Schools will use a $200,000 grant from the NFL Grassroots Program to replace the existing synthetic turf at All City Stadium. The stadium is dedicated to the use of all schools in the Denver Public Schools system.
Denver Public Schools is one of the largest school systems in Colorado with nearly 73,000 students. For over a century, the system has encouraged participation in football. The All City Stadium is used for community events and by other athletic teams. It has also hosted various rounds of the Colorado State High School Football Championships in the past.
In addition to replacing the synthetic sports surface, Denver Public Schools will install new bleachers. The NFL Grassroots grant will be matched with funds from the Denver Public Schools.
Hollywood, Florida
Hollywood Police Athletic League - Boggs Field
The NFL Grassroots Program has awarded the Hollywood Police Athletic League a grant in the amount of $50,000 to help resurface the field at Boggs Field.
The Hollywood Police Department established the Hollywood Police Athletic League in 1990. It is a cooperative effort of the police department, community volunteers, business leaders and citizens. The Police Athletic League youth center is located in the low income neighborhood of Liberia. The center provides recreational programming to 300 to 500 children a day. Among these programs is the Northeast Football Program which has produced a Pee-Wee Superbowl Championship.
The Hollywood Police Athletic League in partnership with the City of Hollywood Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts will completely resurface the playing fields and practice football fields at Boggs filed. The current Bermuda grass surface was last resurfaced over ten years ago. The improvements to the field will benefit over 800 children who participate in the Northeast Football League and the 132 teams from the South Florida Football League.
This project has the support of the City of Hollywood, the YMCA of Broward County and the Miami Dolphins. Travis Daniel, a Miami Dolphins cornerback was a former member of the Hollywood Police Athletic League and has also expressed his support for the renovation.
Jacksonville, Florida
Police Athletic League of Jacksonville - Mallison Park
The Police Athletic League of Jacksonville has received a grant in the amount of $100,000 from the NFL Grassroots Program to help renovate the football field at Mallison Park.
The Jacksonville Police Athletic League provides safe activities for the youth of Jacksonville by providing athletic and educational programs that emphasize positive interaction with law enforcement officers and other adult role models.
In an effort to revitalize the park and the surrounding neighborhood, the Police Athletic League partnered with the Jacksonville Parks, Recreation and Entertainment of Department. The improvements to the park include a new irrigation system, replacing the existing sod, and installing additional lighting.
To facilitate these field improvements, matching funds will be provided by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and the Department of Recreation and Community Services. The Jacksonville Department of Recreation and Community Services, the Sheriff's Office and Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation are strong supporters of this renovation.
Miami, Florida
Archbishop Curley Notre Dame High School Football Field
The Archbishop Curley Notre Dame High School has been awarded a grant in the amount of $100,000 by the NFL Grassroots Program for the restoration of their high school football field.
Archbishop Curley Notre Dame High School serves approximately 400 students. The high school's football field is currently being used by all of its athletic teams, for physical education classes and summer programs. Due to the lack of green and open spaces in the area, the school has opted for a natural turf grass field. Once the renovations are completed, the school's students and local community will have access to the field. The school will offer field usage to youth leagues practices and community outreach programs.
Matching funds are being provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield and an anonymous donor. Community members and the Miami Dolphins have expressed their support for the field renovation.
Tampa Bay, Florida
Community Vision, Inc. - Chambers Park
The NFL Grassroots Program has awarded Community Vision, Inc. a $50,000 grant to convert a softball field into a flag football field at Chambers Park. As part of the field renovation, the lighting system will be reconfigured and an irrigation system will be installed.
Community Vision, Inc. and the City of Kissimmee have partnered to build a new football field in response to the popularity of football and the success of the Kissimmee Youth Football League. The new field will serve the youth of one of the area's lowest income neighborhoods. It will also serve as a platform for youth teambuilding and leadership skills through participation in sports and other community events. Neighborhood gatherings, functions and charitable events will be held at the field as well.
The City of Kissimmee Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program and the City of Kissimmee Parks and Recreation Department will provide matching funds for this project. The Chambers Park project has the support of other community members including local residents, elected officials, the Kissimmee Youth Football League, the NAACP and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
James B. Sanderlin Neighborhood Family Services, Inc. - Campbell Park
The James B. Sanderlin Neighborhood Family Services, Inc. has received a grant in the amount of $50,000 from the NFL Grassroots Program to build a new press box and storage facility at Campbell Park.
James B. Sanderlin Neighborhood Family Services, Inc. is partnering with the City of St. Petersburg on the Campbell Park project. The existing football field is in quite good condition; however, the existing press box has deteriorated and is in disrepair. The City plans to demolish the building and replace it with a two story structure for both a press box and a storage facility. The field is in active use for organized youth football leagues, community events and other athletic teams.
Match funding will be provided by the City of St. Petersburg. Local community residents and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have all voiced their support for the project.
Atlanta, Georgia
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta
The NFL Grassroots Program has awarded the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta a $100,000 grant to install a new synthetic turf surface at A. Worley Brown Boys & Girls Club.
The mission of Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta is to provide quality developmental programs to empower metro Atlanta youth, especially those youth from disadvantaged circumstances. The Boys and Girls Club accomplishes this by focusing on six core areas: character and leadership development, educational and career development, health and life skills, arts and cultural development, sports, fitness and outdoor education.
In an effort to combat the soil erosion and drainage problems the field is currently facing, a fifty yard synthetic turf playing surface will be installed at the A. Worley Brown Boys & Girls Club. The club currently serves between 270 to 320 youth each weekday. The field is also available to a neighboring youth facility that serves children ages six weeks to 5 years old. The improved field will allow the club to expand its current flag football league and cultivate its partnerships with other metro Atlanta Boys and Girls Clubs and community groups.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta will provide the match funding for the project.
Evanston, Illinois
Evanston Township High School - Lazier Field
Evanston Township High School has been awarded a $200,000 grant by the NFL Grassroots Program to install a new synthetic sports turf at Lazier Field.
Evanston Township High School is a four-year comprehensive high school occupying a sixty-acre campus in Evanston, Illinois, a suburb bordering the north side of Chicago.
Increased participation in high school football and other athletic programs require a newer, safer field surface. The new synthetic turf field will allow over 1,000 more youth to utilize Lazier Field. In addition to Evanston Township High School, local youth sports groups and local Catholic schools will now have access to the field for football practices and games at no cost.
Match funding for the turf project has come from multiple sources including the Evanston Township High School District, school fundraising efforts and foundation donations. The project has the support of local community groups and the Chicago Bears.
Indianapolis, Indiana
Tabernacle Presbyterian Church - Evans Field
Tabernacle Presbyterian Church has been awarded a $200,000 grant from the NFL Grassroots Program to help renovate Evans Field.
Tabernacle Presbyterian Church was established in the Mapleton Fall Creek neighborhood of Indianapolis, Indiana in1920. In 1939, to show their dedication to the neighborhood, the church formed a recreational program. With education as the primary goal, the focus was for all participants to increase physical fitness and to learn self control and team play.
Evans Field is adjacent to the Tabernacle Presbyterian Church and is home to its football leagues and camps. Over 500 children and youth have participated in their football and cheerleading programs. Evans Field is also used by Shortridge Middle School and multiple community organizations.
The Evans Field renovation will be a three phase project that is projected to increase participation by an additional 1,200 children and adults annually. Highlights of the renovation include the installation of a synthetic field lined turf for football and soccer, a three lane track, new fencing, lights, scoreboard and upgraded landscaping and irrigation systems.
The NFL Grassroots grant will be matched with funding from various individual and corporate donors. The project has received overwhelming community support the Indianapolis School District, the Governor, State Senator, the State Representative and the Indianapolis Colts.
Fredrick, Maryland
Maryland School for the Deaf - Harry T. Creager Athletic Field
The Maryland School for the Deaf has been awarded a grant in the amount of $40,000 by the NFL Grassroots Program to help finance field improvements at Harry T. Creager Athletic Field.
The Maryland School for the Deaf is the only pre-K-12 school in Maryland to provide a free public school education to deaf and hard of hearing students from any county in Maryland. The school serves approximately 475 youth on two campuses. The original Frederick campus serves more than 300 students in pre-K through grade 12. The Columbia campus serves approximately 100 elementary and middle school age youth, most of whom have additional special needs.
Creager Field will be upgraded in a two-phase project. Phase I includes the installation of an irrigation system. Phase II includes replacing the sod and adding goal posts. The field will be used by the students of the Maryland School for the Deaf, the Frederick Youth Football League and the local community.
The NFL Grassroots grant will be matched with funds from the Maryland School for the Deaf Booster Club and the Maryland School for the Deaf Foundation. The local youth football leagues have voiced their support for the field improvements project.
Prince George's County, Maryland
Prince George's County Football Field
The NFL Grassroots Program has awarded the Prince George's County Public Schools a grant in the amount of $200,000 to install synthetic field turf at an athletic facility in Oxon Hill, Maryland.
The Prince George's County Public School system is the second-largest district in Maryland serving approximately 133,000 students. The athletic field being built will serve as a hub of activity for local community based organizations, local boys and girls clubs, and Oxon Hill High School students and families. The new field will relieve the heavily used and strained local parks and recreation fields. It will also allow the community to hold events year round.
The Prince George's County Public School system has committed matching funds for this project. Local council members and the Washington Redskins have all expressed their strong support for the athletic facility being built.
Lynn, Massachusetts
Lynn Community Development Housing Corporation - Manning Field
The NFL Grassroots Program has awarded the Lynn Community Development Housing Corporation a grant in the amount of $50,000 for field improvements to Manning Field. The renovations include the installation of post and beam stands and the construction of team rooms, concessions and a press box.
The Lynn Community Development Housing Corporation works in targeted neighborhoods to address housing needs. Manning Field is located within Lynn's inner city neighborhoods where the Lynn Community Development Housing Corporation carries out its mission. Manning Field was renovated in two phases. In the first phase, work was done on the field, track and lights. In the current phase, the remaining site improvements will be completed. The field will have a 4,000 seat facility and it is anticipated that over 300,000 spectators will attend events annually. Community events, state tournament high school games, meets and regional amateur athletic charitable events will be held at the field.
Match funding will be provided by the City Council. Local high schools, athletic leagues and the New England Patriots have all expressed their support for the renovation of Manning Field.
Mattapan, Massachusetts
Mattapan Community Development Corporation - Norfolk Park
The NFL Grassroots Program has awarded the Mattapan Community Development Corporation a grant in the amount of $50,000 to install bleachers and additional lights and irrigation systems at Norfolk Park.
The Mattapan Community Development Corporation is dedicated to improving the social and economic conditions of all people who live or work in Mattapan.
Mattapan is located in the southern most section of Boston and houses an urban population of approximately 35,000. This community is one of the most under developed regions for youth and family services. The field is located adjacent to the Mildred Avenue Middle School and the Mildred Avenue Community Center. The revitalization of the Norfolk Park will allow the school and community center to expand athletic based programming to include football and to offer other year-round programs. Over 4,000 youth in Mattapan will benefit from the renovated field.
Matching funds have been provided by the City of Boston Parks Department. The Mattapan Patriots Pop Warner Football Program and local community centers have endorsed the project.
Detroit, Michigan
Think Detroit Police Athletic League - Dingeman Field
The Think Detroit Police Athletic League has been awarded a $200,000 grant from the NFL Grassroots Program to install a synthetic sports surface at Dingeman Field.
Dingeman Field is a fifteen-acre park located in southwest Detroit. Recently, local residents have advocated for the city to clean and repair the field. What was simply a clean up and repair job has developed into a bigger plan, anchored by the installation of a multi-purpose synthetic sports surface. The new playing surface will be used by Chadsey High School for physical education and practices in multiple sports, the Junior Player Development program administered by the Detroit Lions, and the participants of the Think Detroit Police Athletic League youth football program, one of the largest youth football leagues in the country.
Matching funds will be provided by the Kresge Foundation. Local community members, the Detroit Public School System and the Detroit Lions are all proponents of the new field.
Duluth, Minnesota
Boys and Girls Club of Duluth- Duluth Heritage Sports Center
The NFL Grassroots Program has awarded the Boys and Girls Club of Duluth a grant in the amount of $200,000 for the procurement and placement of synthetic turf on the new football field in the Duluth Heritage Sports Center.
The Duluth Heritage Sports Center, a multi-use arena is currently under construction. The arena will house the Boys and Girls Club Outreach Center and a sports floor area for football, basketball, soccer and hockey. Youth from throughout the city will have the opportunity to participate in junior league teams and local school districts will have access to the fields for practice and games. The arena will be located in the Lincoln Park area of Duluth, an impoverished and under-invested neighborhood in the city. A revitalization plan for the neighborhood was recently completed and the new sports center will serve as the cornerstone for private investment in the area.
The Duluth Heritage Sports Center has received financial support from a number of sources including the State of Minnesota, the Duluth School District, the city of Duluth, individual donors, foundations and various local businesses. The project has also been endorsed by the Minnesota Vikings.
Kansas City, Missouri
St. John Francis Regis School Football Field
The St. John Francis Regis School will use a $50,000 grant from the NFL Grassroots Program to upgrade the school's existing football field.
St. Regis is a parochial K-8 co-educational grade school located in the southern portion of Kansas City. It serves as the major grade school feeder to neighboring O'Hara High School, which supports approximately 650 students. St. Regis' Athletic Field is a "regional" field where area schools have consolidated to form a strong football program.
St. Regis designed a redevelopment plan that will include the installation of a new irrigation system, re-seeding and re-grading the field surface, upgrading the concession building and cleaning up the tree lines surrounding the field. Approximately 500-600 fans attend football games every Saturday during the football season. Neighboring schools, athletic team training, and other organizations such as the Knights of Columbus, Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts also hold events on the field.
St. Louis, Missouri
PHL, Inc.- Tandy Park
PHL, Inc. has been awarded a grant in the amount of $200,000 from the NFL Grassroots Program to install a synthetic turf field at Tandy Park. The refurbished field will be part of a new athletic and recreational facility available for use by nearby schools and the City's Park, Recreation and Forestry Department.
The mission of PHL, Inc. is to "repair, replace, purchase, improve and build athletic facilities and equipment for public school districts in the St. Louis metropolitan area." The organization selects projects based on the need of the community and the school district.
Tandy Park is located in northern St. Louis where open space is at a premium and the only other park is thirteen blocks away. Once the field and recreational facility are completed, Sumner High School will have primary use of the facility. The high school currently has no outdoor athletic facilities. Programs for students at neighboring elementary and middle schools will also be held at the facility. Two nearby community centers will run athletic programs at the facility and adult athletic teams will also have access to Tandy Park.
Match funding will be provided by Millstone Bangert Inc., a St. Louis construction company. Various community organizations have voiced their support for this project including the St. Louis Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry, the City of St. Louis and the St. Louis Rams.
Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City Recreation Foundation - Caven Point Athletic Complex
The NFL Grassroots Program has awarded the Jersey City Recreation Foundation a grant in the amount of $200,000 to install a new synthetic turf at the Caven Point Athletic Complex.
Since 2001, the Jersey City Recreation Foundation has funded over twenty youth athletic leagues and related sports activities. The field at the Caven Point Facility is currently heavily used by high school teams, parochial schools and youth football leagues. Due to the high usage, the field has developed sink holes hindering high-caliber play. The revitalized field will positively impact the games played on the field and will allow more access to athletic programs for youth in the area. In Jersey City, nearly 25% of the population is under the age of 18. Athletic programs are needed as an outlet for youth to engage in positive activities.
The City of New Jersey will be providing match funding for this project. There is also strong community support behind this project from the mayor, the city councilman, the local assemblyman and various high schools.
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo City School District - Johnnie B. Wiley Amateur Athletic Sports Pavilion
The NFL Grassroots Program has awarded the Buffalo City School District a $200,000 grant to help install synthetic turf at the Johnnie B. Wiley Amateur Athletic Sports Pavilion.
The Johnnie B. Wiley Amateur Athletics Sports Pavilion, former home of the Buffalo Bills, is an athletic complex owned by the City of Buffalo that is operated and maintained by the Buffalo City School District. Built in 1992, it is one of two athletic stadiums in the District serving all 17 high schools.
Although it serves well as a community recreational facility, Johnnie B Wiley needs many upgrades to become an appropriate high school sports stadium. The facility will be renovated with a new synthetic turf athletic field, two lanes will be added to the running track, outdoor lighting will be improved and the overall infrastructure will be upgraded.
Matching funds for the project will be provided by the Department of Urban Development. The City Council, the Buffalo Police Athletic League, the Boys and Girls Club of Buffalo and the Buffalo Bills are all strong supporters of this project.
Cleveland, Ohio
ParkWorks - Gunning Park
The NFL Grassroots Program has awarded ParkWorks a $100,000 grant to support the development of a permanent football field at Gunning Park.
Gunning Park is located in Cleveland's Ward 21 and serves a low-moderate income neighborhood. The park is home to the Greater Cleveland Muny Football League which serves over 2,500 young people across the Cleveland area. Currently, youth football games are played on an area in between two baseball diamonds that lack goal posts and bleachers. ParkWorks will construct a high school sized field that will feature new sod, a drainage system and an automated irrigation system.
The City of Cleveland will match the $100,000 NFL Grassroots grant. This project has received strong support from multiple community shareholders including the Cleveland Browns, the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and the Gunning Park Advisory Board.
Lockland, Ohio
Lockland School District - Roettger Memorial Stadium
The NFL Grassroots Program has awarded the Lockland School District a $200,000 grant to install a new synthetic sports surface at Roettger Memorial Stadium.
Roettger Memorial Stadium is located at Lockland High School and has been a landmark in the valley area for six decades. Centrally located, Roettger Memorial Stadium serves the low income areas of Lockland and Arlington Heights. It is used by the two high schools and the elementary school in the district.
With the installation of the synthetic turf, the district will be able to cut maintenance costs and increase field availability by approximately 300%. The NFL Grassroots grant will be matched with donations from various local businesses. This project has the support of the Mayors in Lincoln Heights and Lockland, the local community and the Cincinnati Bengals.
New Kensington, Pennsylvania
New Kensington-Arnold School District - Valley High School Football Field
The NFL Grassroots program has awarded the New Kensington-Arnold School District a grant in the amount of $200,000 to install a synthetic surface on Valley High School's football field. The synthetic surface will replace the grass field currently in place.
The New Kensington-Arnold School District serves over 2,000 low-moderate income students. The installation of the synthetic field surface at Valley High School has been on the school district's list of projects for many years. While small improvements to the fencing, lighting and concessions have been made, the field has not been renovated in several years. Due to the field's condition, only Valley High School has been able to utilize the field. Once the resurfacing is complete, the field will be open to the community and a neighboring YMCA. Approximately 3,000 youth who participate in athletic programs will benefit from the new field.
The matching funds have been committed by the New Kensington-Arnold School District. Local community groups such as the YMCA, athletic clubs and the city council have endorsed the project.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Monsignor Bonner High School - Field of Dreams
Monsignor Bonner High School has received a grant in the amount of $200,000 from the NFL Grassroots Program to resurface the high school's Field of Dreams with synthetic turf.
Monsignor Bonner High School is located in a low to moderate income neighborhood in Upper Darby Township. The school has spent over fifty years providing children with academic and physical education activities. Currently, the school has 900 students enrolled.
The Field of Dreams will be used by community organizations, the high school's athletic teams, and various Township-sponsored sporting organizations. Once the work is completed, the school will be able to increase the number of athletic programs offered to its students as well as increase the times for community usage. These programs will serve approximately 3,000 youth football players.
The field has received additional funding from the State of Pennsylvania. The project has also received considerable support from local businesses, the Upper Darby Police Department and the Philadelphia Eagles.
Spartanburg, South Carolina
Spartanburg High School Football Field
The NFL Grassroots Program has awarded the Spartanburg County School District a grant in the amount of $200,000 for the installation of synthetic turf on Spartanburg High School's football field.
The Spartanburg County School District serves approximately 7,600 students in grades K-12. The school district is in the process of building a new sports complex which will transform playing fields constructed decades ago into a state of the art facility. The multi-phase project will include four new athletic fields to accommodate lacrosse, soccer, and football as well as tennis facilities.
The vision for this complex is not limited to building superior playing fields and facilities. The school district is trying to provide a community resource that is open to all citizens. There have not been many sports outlets for youth in the past, but the city is working on improving the programs offered. The Spartanburg County School District has been working with the City of Spartanburg on a youth sports partnership. The city has developed junior and pee wee football programs and these programs will expand once the facilities are complete.
Matching funds for this program have been provided by the Spartanburg County School District. School leaders and the school district are strong supporters of this construction project.
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville Alliance for Public Education Football Field
The Nashville Alliance for Public Education in partnership with the Metro Nashville Public School System has been awarded a grant in the amount of $200,000 by the NFL Grassroots Program to upgrade the athletic fields at four middle schools and one high school.
The Nashville Alliance for Public Education's mission is to align private support for public education. The grant funds will be used to improve the football fields at Bailey, Neely's Ben, Joelton and Apollo middle schools. Renovations will be made to the fences, bleachers, drainage system, scoreboard and goal posts at each of the middle schools' fields. In addition, the schools will ensure that the football fields adhere to the standards of the American Disabilities Act. The grant will also be used at Crane Ridge High School for adequate field site drainage, field lighting and irrigated sod for the field. The renovations will enhance the total athletic experience of over 4,000 students a year.
Matching funds will be provided by Metro Nashville Public Schools. The local council district and the Tennessee Titans have voiced their support for this project.
Houston, Texas
Pro-Vision, Inc. - Pro-Vision Football Field
Pro-Vision, Inc has been awarded a grant of $100,000 by the NFL Grassroots Program to help build a football field at Pro-Visions new facilities on a sixteen-acre site.
Established in 1989 by former Philadelphia Eagle Rynell Young, Pro-Vision's mission is to inspire hope and purposeful living among male youth through moral, cultural and educational opportunities. For more than seventeen years, Pro-Vision, Inc. has served over 1,500 young through the organization's core programs.
The Pro-Vision Football Field is an important part of the organization's new construction and facilities program. The plan includes a regulation size Bermuda grass field that will be used by the charter school and the local community. This includes collaborations with the Southeastern Association of Civic Clubs, the Sunnyside Multi-Service Center.
Pro-Vision, Inc. has secured matching funds from its Board of Directors, M.D. Matthews Foundation, Herzstein Foundation and the Houston Endowment. The project has received support from the Southeastern Coalition of Civic Clubs and the Houston Texans.
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Green Bay Southwest High School - Dahlin Family Stadium
The Green Bay Southwest High School will use a grant from the NFL Grassroots Program in the amount $50,000 to install bleachers at the Dahlin Family Stadium.
Green Bay Southwest High School is one of the four high schools in the Green Bay School District.
The goal of this project is to provide spectators, home and visiting fans a comfortable environment to view games. The stadium currently seats 1500 people but with the additional bleachers, the school will be able to accommodate over 2000 people. The additional seats will allow visiting fans to sit on the side of their team and ensures that they have a seat at the game.
Matching funds have been committed by the Dean Family Foundation and the Dahlin Family. Local community members and the Green Bay Packers are in support of the project.
Richmond, Virginia
Blackwell and Hotchkiss Community Centers
The NFL Grassroots Program has awarded the Richmond Recreation and Parks Foundation a $50,000 grant to install players' benches, bleachers, goalposts and lighted scoreboards on athletic fields at the Blackwell and Hotchkiss Community Centers.
The Richmond Recreation and Parks Foundation in partnership with the City of Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities will work on the renovation project together.
The fields at Blackwell and Hotchkiss Community Centers have little to no existing field equipment. The community centers are two of the busiest community centers in the city as the neighborhoods around the centers are home to the some of the city's most disadvantaged people. The installation of the equipment will transform the fields into showcase venues giving players more reasons to take pride in and enjoy games. There will also be an estimated 10% increase in football participation once the renovations are completed.
A matching grant will be made by the City's Neighborhood Parks Fund. Local civic organizations, the City of Richmond and the Washington Redskins have expressed strong support for the field improvements.