USA Track & Field Foundation announces nearly $60,000 in youth grants

INDIANAPOLIS - The USA Track & Field Foundation has awarded a record 38 youth grants, totaling $58,500, to track and field clubs throughout the country, Foundation Executive Director Tom Jackovic announced on Thursday. The grants assist clubs and their young athletes with expenses such as travel to meets, equipment, uniforms, awards and facility rental.

"These programs have a positive impact in their local communities and enhance the track and field experience for the kids who participate," said Ashley Wright, USATF Foundation Director. "It's an honor to be able to provide this vital support for the clubs' growth and outreach."

The Foundation made 33 grants of $1,500 apiece, as well as other grants in denominations ranging from $600 to $4,000. To be eligible for grants, clubs complete a Grant Application online at http://www.usatffoundation.org/ , providing information on the proposed project requiring funding, club programs, management, financing and history. Clubs receiving grants in the current round of awards are listed below.

$4000 grant:
Road Runners Track Club, Gretna, LA

$3000 grant:
A.C. Rockstar Running, Atlantic City, NJ

$1500 grants:
Central Florida Gliders Track Club, Altamonte Springs, FL
Scotts Bluff Lizards T&F Club, Scottsbluff, NE
Mercury Track Club of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Woodstock Youth Track Club, Woodstock, GA
Goaled Kids, Superior, CO
Myrtle Beach T&F Club, Myrtle Beach, SC
Troutdale Track Club, Troutdale, OR
McMinnville Track Club, McMinnville, OR
Cerritos Blaze, Cerritos, CA
Destined To Run Track Club, Allen, TX
Greensburg YMCA Youth T&F Club, Hempfield, PA
Track Houston Youth Track Club, Sugar Land, TX
Palmdale Bullets Track Club, Palmdale, CA
Peak Performance Track Club, Monroe, LA
Training Ground Track Club, Nashville, TN
Country Mills Eagles Athletic Club, Ballston Lake, NY
Hallmark Track Club, Fort Worth, TX
Eastside Stepper's Track Club, Edmond, OK
M.P. Striders Youth Track Club, Sacramento, CA
Throw 1 Deep Club, Marietta, GA
Rockwall Mustangs Track Club, Rockwall, TX
Zoom Track Club, Lone Tree, CO
New World Track Club, Columbus, OH
Break Away Track Club, Clermont, FL
C.L. Stars Track Club, Missouri, TX
East Palo Alto Greyhounds T&F, East Palo Alto, CA
Hilltop Speed T&F Club, Vallejo, CA
Ann Arbor Youth Track Club, Ann Arbor, MI
Cleats of Fire T&F Club, Poplar Bluff, MO
Cross Country For Youth, Charlotte, NC
Heartland Athletic Services, Kansas City, MO
Samuel Fels High School, Philadelphia, PA
Dekalb County Express Track Club, Decatur, GA

$800 grant:
Stateline Family YMCA, Roscoe, IL

$600 grants:
Indianapolis Marathon Road Runners, Indianapolis, IN
Arthur Edwards Elementary, Havelock, NC

About the USA Track & Field Foundation

Launched in 2002, the USA Track & Field Foundation assists people of all walks of life and ability levels to find enjoyment and accomplishment through our inclusive sport. The Foundation is committed to exposing more young people to the benefits of track and field and to funding travel to major youth events; expanding existing masters events and programs and access to them; promoting the development of Team USA; helping to attract and train the next generation of the world's best officials; expanding coaching education curricula and providing scholarships to deserving coaches; and assisting USA Track & Field in its fight against drugs in sport.

In 2008, the Foundation made a total of $704,500 in grants to a variety of programs related to the sport, including nearly $225,000 to various youth travel, athletic and outreach programs, and distributed $70,000 in equipment donations.

For more information or to contribute to the USA Track & Field Foundation, visit www.usatffoundation.org