The Chargers continued their long-term commitment to the San Diego community Wednesday, presenting Sweetwater High School with a $200,000 grant for a new synthetic turf field.
Chargers Executive Vice President-Executive Officer A.G. Spanos presented a check to the school in front of Red Devils football players and cheerleaders, who performed a short demonstration to mark the occasion.
Sweetwater is one of San Diegos oldest schools and it has a rich history and theyve got a rivalry with Chula Vista thats over 50 years old. Its nice to see that with a field like this, that history can continue, Spanos said.
My grandfather has always made it a point of emphasis to be good corporate community partners and Im proud to work for an organization that does things like this and gives back.
The grant will allow the school to pursue 88,000 square feet of improvement, an area that includes the main athletic field and a dirt track they hope to rubberize. Sweetwaters existing grass field is in poor condition after continual use for physical education classes, high school and minor league football, soccer, and the countys largest Pop Warner program.
Joining Spanos in presenting the check were Sweetwater Principal Roman Del Rosario, National City Mayor Ron Morrison, Superintendent Ed Brand, School Board President John McCann and Executive Director of San Diegos Local Initiatives Support Corporation.
The grant, awarded by the Chargers, the NFL Youth Football Fund and LISC, is part of the NFL Grassroots Program that has resulted in the construction or renovation of 243 football fields nationwide, part of more than $30 million in grants during the last 13 years. Ten of those fields are in the San Diego area.
Sweetwater High School was established in 1921 and is the oldest school in the district. About 2,300 students attend the school in one of the highest need communities in San Diego County.
Morrison, a Sweetwater graduate, recalled the legendary potholes and mudholes that will no longer be a part of Red Devils games.
I think some of the smaller players, weve lost a few of them, Morrison said. Were still looking for them.
Sweetwater has produced two NFL players, a CIF football championship and 150 Division I athletes. Thats a tradition that senior wide receiver/linebacker and track athlete Luis Venegas wants to see return to Sweetwater High School. A few key players on the Red Devils high school football team missed several weeks due to injuries that may have been prevented by a smooth playing surface.
Having the new field will prevent a lot of injuries because as you can tell our fields not the best. I wouldnt consider it safe, Venegas said.
All the kids from National City are going to other South Bay schools thinking, Oh, they have the new school. Weve got the new school, now weve got the new field and the athletes will start coming back where they belong.
Sweetwater High School Principal Roman Del Rosario
Every Sunday that the Chargers are playing, there are Chargers banners all up and down Highland. Theres almost a parade every time the Chargers win with cars honking right in front of the school on Highland Avenue. So the fact that its the Chargers and an NFL grant just makes it that more special.
School Board President John McCann
The high school here really is the heart of National City. Back when I was in high school, Sweetwater was the team to beat. It was incredible how talented they were. And you guys are building something very, very special here also. The renovation of this field will go a long way to help you have the best facilities that you deserve.
0
No comments:
Post a Comment