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Equipment Grant for Youth Football Program 09-18-2019
2019-09-18Riddell and Peyton Manning awarded equipment grants to the Wilkinson County Wildcats Youth Football Program and 9 other unique football organizations.
Wilkinson County Wildcats Youth Football General Manager, Donald “DJ” Jackson, proudly announced that Riddell and Peyton Manning awarded equipment grants to the Wilkinson County Wildcats Youth Football Program, a division of the Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network, and 9 other unique football organizations as part of the 2019 Smarter Football initiative. As part of each winner’s reward, they are given $10,000 to use on Riddell’s latest helmets, shoulder pads, padded apparel, and blocking equipment.
“I’m proud to help ensure these 10 teams’ commitment to player safety is taken to the next level with industry-leading protective equipment from Riddell,” said Peyton Manning, Riddell’s brand ambassador and strategic advisor. “It’s remarkable to learn about the difference these teams make on developing young athletes and collectively improving the sport. These organizations are truly the future of football and set a great example for others to follow.”
More than 800 football teams ranging from youth to college, applied and shared their stories expressing dedication to improving the sport they love. Winners’ entries reflected a shared effort from team personnel and players to remain steadfast in their commitment to player safety, personal and team development, community service, and advancement of the sport on and off the field.
This year’s Smarter Football class consists of seven high schools and three youth teams, from 10 different states. The winners will receive a collective $100,000 in equipment grants from Riddell and Manning to provide a new level of protection to their players.
The recipients of the 2019 Riddell Smarter Football equipment grants are:
General Manager “DJ” Jackson said that most of the Smarter Football Equipment Grant funds will be used to purchase Riddell helmets that will include the InSite Technology provided by Peyton Manning. There are two pieces to the InSite Technology: A paper-thin membrane with five sensor points inserted into Riddell’s Speed helmet, and a hand-held monitoring unit used by coaches and trainers on the sideline. When a player wearing the InSite takes a hit to the head, data is collected based on where on the helmet the hit happened and the force of the hit. If the sensors detect that a potentially dangerous hit has occurred, an alert is sent to the sideline monitor that includes information on the hit and what player sustained it. The coach holding the monitor will take that player out of the game, assess the severity of the hit, and decide whether further concussion testing should be done. General Manager Jackson also said that the Insite Technology will only be successful if everyone, coaches, trainers, players, and parents work together using it.
The Wilkinson County Wildcats Youth Football Program, a division of the Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network, was recognized for teaching the proper fundamentals from the beginning, placing emphasis on the importance of school and ensuring that coaches and parents are informed about Heads Up Football. The Wilkinson County Wildcats Youth Football Program is part of the Southern Independent Youth Football League (SIYFL) which includes the Jackson Eagles, Port Gibson Titans, McComb Ravens, Southern MS Titans, Magnolia Hurricanes and Southern MS Wildcats.
Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network President and Wilkinson County Wildcats Youth Football Commissioner, David Walker, said that this Smarter Football Grant along with other equipment purchased earlier this year places the organization one step closer to realizing its goal of providing an opportunity for every child in Wilkinson County, who desires, to participate in the game of American Football and that this Smarter Football Grant will allow the organization to re-direct some of its fund-raising time and resources to training for coaches/parents, seminars and workshop attendance centered around proper coaching techniques and ways to enhance program participants’ academic achievement. He went on to say that none of this could be possible without the cooperation of the Wilkinson County School Board and the generous support of area business and individuals.
Walker said, “As an organization that serve youth that attend school in Wilkinson County, the Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network is committed to doing all that we can to help our schools become successful. The organization has done a good job monitoring, counseling and encouraging our participants towards improved academics, but that is not enough, we need to and will do more. In order to fulfil the Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network’s obligation to our youth and commitment to the school district, Head Coach candidates will be required to develop a plan that will positively impact our youth and help our district achieve academic success.” He said, “Some examples of making a positive impact might include, regular consultation with parents and teachers to identify emerging problems or concerns; school visits from coaches, assisting teachers in obtaining additional parental involvement in the education of our youth; adopting a classroom and making arrangements to provide needed instructional materials; helping to encourage parents to attend school “open house” and Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) meetings.”
Riddell surprised the teams through custom congratulatory video featuring the future Hall of Fame quarterback Mr. Manning, in which he highlighted the teams’ commitment to evolving the sport through smarter playing tactics.
“I’m proud to help ensure these 10 teams’ commitment to player safety is taken to the next level with industry-leading protective equipment from Riddell,” said Peyton Manning, Riddell’s brand ambassador and strategic advisor. “It’s remarkable to learn about the difference these teams make on developing young athletes and collectively improving the sport. These organizations are truly the future of football and set a great example for others to follow.”
More than 800 football teams ranging from youth to college, applied and shared their stories expressing dedication to improving the sport they love. Winners’ entries reflected a shared effort from team personnel and players to remain steadfast in their commitment to player safety, personal and team development, community service, and advancement of the sport on and off the field.
This year’s Smarter Football class consists of seven high schools and three youth teams, from 10 different states. The winners will receive a collective $100,000 in equipment grants from Riddell and Manning to provide a new level of protection to their players.
The recipients of the 2019 Riddell Smarter Football equipment grants are:
- Frankfort High School, Frankfort, IN
- Wendell High School, Wendell, ID
- Newton Conover High School, Newton, NC
- Apalachee High School, Winder, GA
- Cardinal O’Hara High School, Tonawanda, NY
- Texas School for the Deaf, Austin, TX
- Canyon Country High School, Canyon Country, CA
- Farmington Youth Football, Farmington, MN
- Wilkinson County Youth Football, Centreville, MS
- Hummelstown Youth Football, Hummelstown, PA
General Manager “DJ” Jackson said that most of the Smarter Football Equipment Grant funds will be used to purchase Riddell helmets that will include the InSite Technology provided by Peyton Manning. There are two pieces to the InSite Technology: A paper-thin membrane with five sensor points inserted into Riddell’s Speed helmet, and a hand-held monitoring unit used by coaches and trainers on the sideline. When a player wearing the InSite takes a hit to the head, data is collected based on where on the helmet the hit happened and the force of the hit. If the sensors detect that a potentially dangerous hit has occurred, an alert is sent to the sideline monitor that includes information on the hit and what player sustained it. The coach holding the monitor will take that player out of the game, assess the severity of the hit, and decide whether further concussion testing should be done. General Manager Jackson also said that the Insite Technology will only be successful if everyone, coaches, trainers, players, and parents work together using it.
The Wilkinson County Wildcats Youth Football Program, a division of the Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network, was recognized for teaching the proper fundamentals from the beginning, placing emphasis on the importance of school and ensuring that coaches and parents are informed about Heads Up Football. The Wilkinson County Wildcats Youth Football Program is part of the Southern Independent Youth Football League (SIYFL) which includes the Jackson Eagles, Port Gibson Titans, McComb Ravens, Southern MS Titans, Magnolia Hurricanes and Southern MS Wildcats.
Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network President and Wilkinson County Wildcats Youth Football Commissioner, David Walker, said that this Smarter Football Grant along with other equipment purchased earlier this year places the organization one step closer to realizing its goal of providing an opportunity for every child in Wilkinson County, who desires, to participate in the game of American Football and that this Smarter Football Grant will allow the organization to re-direct some of its fund-raising time and resources to training for coaches/parents, seminars and workshop attendance centered around proper coaching techniques and ways to enhance program participants’ academic achievement. He went on to say that none of this could be possible without the cooperation of the Wilkinson County School Board and the generous support of area business and individuals.
Walker said, “As an organization that serve youth that attend school in Wilkinson County, the Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network is committed to doing all that we can to help our schools become successful. The organization has done a good job monitoring, counseling and encouraging our participants towards improved academics, but that is not enough, we need to and will do more. In order to fulfil the Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network’s obligation to our youth and commitment to the school district, Head Coach candidates will be required to develop a plan that will positively impact our youth and help our district achieve academic success.” He said, “Some examples of making a positive impact might include, regular consultation with parents and teachers to identify emerging problems or concerns; school visits from coaches, assisting teachers in obtaining additional parental involvement in the education of our youth; adopting a classroom and making arrangements to provide needed instructional materials; helping to encourage parents to attend school “open house” and Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) meetings.”
Riddell surprised the teams through custom congratulatory video featuring the future Hall of Fame quarterback Mr. Manning, in which he highlighted the teams’ commitment to evolving the sport through smarter playing tactics.