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posted 11/15/01
Complete Ceremony Audio
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| John Jones makes the grant presentation to Ron Metzler and Dave Seebart |
The Green Bay Packers announced today that the NFL Community Football Fields Program has awarded $200,000 in grants to stadium projects at East High School and Preble High School. Each project will receive $100,000.
"It is phenomenal that the NFL has chosen to help two great projects in the Green Bay area," said Packers President Bob Harlan. "These football stadiums will be used by young people of our community for generations to come." Harlan also thanked Jeanne McKenna, Packers Director of Community Relations for pursuing and coordinating the grant effort. "She made sure the NFL knew how important these projects are to the community and how their financial help would make a real difference."
The Community Football Fields (CFF) program is a joint effort of NFL Charities Youth Football Fund and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) to ensure youth across the country have the opportunity to enjoy the game of football. LISC Program Officer Beverly Smith said, "Improving recreational facilities is an essential part of our effort. We're proud to be part of the great football tradition in Green Bay."
In the past four years, the CFF program has provided nearly $6.5 million in grants to some 47 cities. These are the first grants Green Bay has received under the program.
The Preble High School project involves the development of a football field at the school. The Hornet football teams now play their home games at East High School. The Home Field Advantage Campaign Committee, started by the Preble Quarterback Club, has been working more than two years to raise nearly $1 million for the project. The CFF grant puts that fund-raising effort over the top.
The Community Football Fields grant will be used for Phase II of the City Stadium project at East High School. Work on Phase I, a new entranceway evoking the memory of the period when the Packers played their games at old City Stadium is nearly complete. Phase II, with an estimated cost of $100,000, includes upgrading the football field and construction of a Memorial Plaza recognizing East High School alumna Curly Lambeau, Red Smith and Jim Crowley, as well as Packer Hall of Famers who played at the stadium.
"This is another great example of the NFL working with its franchises to return monies to the communities where its teams are located," said Jeanne McKenna, Packers Director of Community Relations. Earlier this year, NFL properties agreed to send the logo fees it collects from State of Wisconsin Packers license plates back to the Packers Foundation for use toward student scholarships in Brown County. "It's wonderful to have these kinds of funds coming back to the community - in this case to help fund two important community stadium projects," she said.