August 18, 2006
For Immediate Release:
Friday, August 18, 2006
CONTACT:
Shawn Thomas, LISC [317] 396-0588 ext. 19
Nicole Duncan, Colts [317] 297-2658
Kevin Britt, Ben Davis [317] 227-4045
LISC, Colts Help Ben Davis High School with Field and Stadium Renovation Dedication of new field and stadium part of free community day “Fun Fest” celebrating 15-year anniversary of school foundation
INDIANAPOLIS – Today, amid the festivities of community “Fun Fest” and the first home football game of the season, Wayne Township school officials and its students, along with representatives from Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and the Indianapolis Colts, officially dedicate their new synthetic football field and the total renovation of the Ben Davis High School athletic stadium.
The stadium renovation includes the installation of a new synthetic turf football field which will accommodate both football and soccer teams. A lane was also added to the running track allowing the school to host meets involving three teams. To better accommodate spectators, additional bleachers, restrooms, and concession stands were constructed. The redesign allows for better supervision since it separates home and visiting students, fans, and teams. The improvements will benefit the school’s physical education classes as well as youth participating in a range of athletic programs operated by the school and the school district including the junior highs, the Ben Davis Cadet Football program, Ben Davis Soccer Association, and other community groups. In addition, the new turf will be used by the Ben Davis Marching Giants for band competitions.
“Ben Davis has a great athletic and marching band tradition and this new field will go a long way in sustaining and supporting those programs,” said Ben Davis High School Principal Joel McKinney. “We are also excited about the many possibilities this new field brings to all Ben Davis students and our entire community.”
LISC provided a $200,000 matching grant through the NFL Youth Football Grassroots Program which is a partnership of the National Football League Youth Football Fund established to provide non-profit, neighborhood-based organizations, middle schools and high schools with financing and technical assistance to improve the quality, safety, and accessibility of local football fields.
“As a community development organization, LISC was excited to support this field improvement because it is more than just a place to play football,” said Bill Taft, Program Director for LISC. “This field is a center of community life where families work together to raise up the next generation of leaders for Indianapolis. “
Parks and ball fields can serve as tremendous community assets because they offer opportunities for recreation, education, and relaxation that contribute to the local quality of life, especially for young people. In eight years of programming, the NFL Fields Grant Program has awarded $15 million in grants for 135 projects with total development costs of $70 million in over 40 cities across the country. This includes LISC/Indianapolis Colts supported fields in Douglass Park on eastside, Gustafuson Park on the far westside and Lutheran High School on the southeastside of Indianapolis.
"The Indianapolis Colts are thrilled to serve as a conduit for local schools to receive funding for projects that improve fields, football development and insure the overall viability of youth football here in Indianapolis," said Colts Owner and CEO Jim Irsay.
Starting at 4:00 p.m. outside the Ben Davis Stadium, the Wayne Township Education Foundation will be celebrating its 15th anniversary with a free community event. The celebration will feature the band Dog Talk, and there will be carnival games and food from local west-side restaurants.
During pre-game ceremonies, the Foundation will be awarding $1500 in unrestricted funds to each of the 16 Wayne Township schools. Cookie Vargo, past president of the foundation and event chairperson, remarked, "This is just one way we can thank the community for their support during our first 15 years, as well as highlight our accomplishments."
For over 15 years, the Foundation has awarded more than $500,000 in grants to teachers and students for classroom programs. In addition, the Foundation awards 12 academic scholarships annually and sponsors several teacher and student recognition programs.
About LISC
LISC, the nation's largest nonprofit supporter and funder of community development activities, combines corporate, government and philanthropic assistance to provide community development organizations with the necessary resources to revitalize underserved communities. Through 2,300 funders and donors, LISC has raised over $6 billion and built or rehabilitated 160,000 affordable homes and 25 million square feet of retail, community and educational space. LISC has offices in 33 urban communities and rural programs in 37 states. For additional information about LISC, visit www.lisc.org/indianapolis. ###
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