South Pointe High School Football Team Gets Grant From USA Football and Panthers

Youth & High School Football Programs of the Carolinas Earn Equipment Grants from USA Football & Panthers

Author: Steve Alic, USA Football

Published: July 20, 2010, revised July 20, 2010

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USA Football, the sport's national governing body on youth and amateur levels, and the Carolina Panthers have recently awarded football equipment grants to youth and high school football programs throughout the Carolinas based on merit and need.

USA Football partners with the Panthers and all NFL clubs to award equipment grants to youth and high school football programs across the United States. The program has awarded more than $3 million in football equipment through the NFL Youth Football Fund since 2006.

Each selected youth league receives a $1,000 package that offers a variety of football equipment and uniform options to choose from. High schools receive similar packages valued at $1,500. All equipment grants are fulfilled by Riddell, the official helmet and protective equipment partner of USA Football.

"Our organization works with low income families and normally the kids are not able to participate in organized football," said KENNETH CRUMP of S.O.A.R., Inc. in Charlotte. "The equipment is always secondhand and is badly used and damaged. The football equipment would give them something to be excited about. S.O.A.R., Inc. is a non-profit organization aimed to enhance the life of low-income families in the Charlotte, N.C., area."

USA Football is the official youth football development partner of the Panthers, the NFL, each of its other 31 teams and the NFL Players Association. The NFL Youth Football Fund, a joint partnership between the NFL and the NFL Players Association, provides for approximately 800 football programs to earn an equipment grant from USA Football and NFL teams this season.

"The Carolina Panthers are excited to partner with USA Football and the NFL Youth Football Fund to positively impact youth and high school football programs in the Carolinas by providing equipment grants," said PETER VACHO, Carolina Panthers Youth Football Manager. "For these football programs, this equipment equals opportunity, an opportunity for more kids to play football safely and learn essential life skills such as sportsmanship, teamwork and determination."

"We are pleased to work with USA Football and our teams to donate much-needed equipment to youth leagues," said ALEXIA GALLAGHER, Director of the NFL Youth Football Fund. "These grants will help ensure that youngsters who share our love of the game are able to play it safely."

"Even with multiple fundraisers and strict budget adherence, many well-run youth and high school football programs need help to properly equip their teams," USA Football Executive Director SCOTT HALLENBECK said. "We are proud to be a partner in the Panthers' continued commitment to ensuring great football experiences for the kids, families and volunteers who power this sport in the Carolinas."

North & South Carolina youth and high school programs awarded a 2010 USA Football Equipment Grant:

ORGANIZATION

CITY

Owen District Youth Football League Starmount High School Branchville High School Enka High School East Cowboys Youth Football Team Central Parks & Recreation Charlotte Latin School Elon Browns Youth Football Association Phillip O. Berry High School S.O.A.R., Inc. East Lincoln Optimist Club SABGC Athletic League Boys & Girls Club of Eden Eden Parks & Recreation Westover High School Huskie Optimist of Gastonia Eastern Guilford High School Grimsley High School Carolina High School North Pitt High School Henderson Panthers Gray's Creek High School Hudson Optimist Football Lake Norman Charter School East Lincoln Middle School Kernersville Raiders Western Harnett High School Coastal Carolina AYFL Craven Bearcats Pop Warner Newberry Youth Football South Stanly High School Red Springs High School Reidsville Parks & Recreation South Pointe High School Nash Central High School Pinecrest High School Wade Hampton High School ARC of Wilson Community Christian School Winston-Salem Indians York Comprehensive High School

Black Mountain, N.C. Boonville, N.C. Branchville, S.C. Candler, N.C. Candor, N.C. Central, S.C. Charlotte, N.C. Charlotte, N.C. Charlotte, N.C. Charlotte, N.C. Denver, N.C. Durham, N.C. Eden, N.C. Eden, N.C. Fayetteville, N.C. Gastonia, S.C. Gibsonville, N.C. Greensboro, N.C. Greenville, S.C. Greenville, N.C. Henderson, N.C. Hope Mills, N.C. Hudson, N.C. Huntersville, N.C. Iron Station, N.C. Kernersville, N.C. Lillington, N.C. Morehead City, N.C. New Bern, N.C. Newberry, S.C. Norwood, N.C. Red Springs, N.C. Reidsville, N.C. Rock Hill, S.C. Rocky Mount, N.C. Southern Pines, N.C. Varnville, S.C. Wilson, N.C. Wilson, N.C. Winston-Salem, N.C. York, S.C.

About USA Football

USA Football, the sport's national governing body on youth and amateur levels, leads the game's development, inspires participation, and ensures a positive experience for all youth, high school, and other amateur players. The independent non-profit hosts more than 80 football training events annually for coaches, players and youth football league commissioners. USA Football is the official youth football development partner of the NFL, its 32 teams and the NFL Players Association and manages U.S. national teams for international competition. Endowed by the NFL and NFLPA in 2002 through the NFL Youth Football Fund, USA Football (usafootball.com) distributes $1 million annually in equipment grants and offers youth league volunteer background check subsidies. Former NFL team executive Carl Peterson is USA Football's chairman.