Bishop Ward High School announced on Wednesday, May 17th a $50,000 grant from the NFL’s Grassroots program to upgrade its football stadium. With the stands at Dorney Field, located at 16th Street and Armstrong, Kansas City, Kan., full of Bishop Ward students, the proclamation was made thanks to several dignitaries. In addition to Chiefs President Carl Peterson, and gridiron stars LB Kendrell Bell, LB Kawika Mitchell, OT Jeremy Parquett and LB Nick Reid; the event featured Bishop Ward alumni and staff; Kansas City Kansas Mayor Joe Reardon; and Greater Kansas City LISC and CHWC, Inc.

The grant, awarded this year by the Kansas City Chiefs, NFL, NFL Players Association (NFLPA), and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), is part of $2.5 million in field refurbishment awards allocated to community groups in 19 cities nationwide.

“The Bishop Ward High School field improvements will be a tangible sign of our Youth Football Fund in action,” said NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue. “The Youth Football Fund supports all aspects of youth football, from participation to coaching to improving the availability of playing fields.”

Bishop Ward High lies in the heart of two neighborhoods: St. Peter’s and Waterway. The renovation of the school’s athletic field will help revitalize the neighborhood.

“We, at the Chiefs, are very pleased to participate with the NFL, NFLPA and LISC in upgrading another football facility in Kansas City,” said Kansas City Chiefs President Carl Peterson.

The renovation, to be administered by Community Housing of Wyandotte County Inc.,(CHWC), includes a new eight-foot vinyl fence that will replace the current barbed wire fence, a new landscaped plaza, an improved irrigation system and improvements that will level the field.

Bishop Ward raised more than $85,000 to match the Grassroots grant. The field will be used for physical education and organized football and soccer, and by the Catholic Youth Organization for football and track events.

“The NFL grant it is just one component of a coordinated effort to bring about a renewed sense of spirit and pride to Bishop Ward High School while extending ourselves outward into the community,” said Father Michael Hermes, President of Bishop Ward High School. “The improvements will bring an exciting atmosphere to Dorney Field, while reaffirming the fact that Bishop Ward High School is a viable and stable partner in the community. We believe that the values and beliefs of Bishop Ward compliment the ideals of the NFL grant program.”

The NFL Grassroots program is funded by the NFL Youth Football Fund (YFF), a $150 million non-profit foundation established by the NFL and the NFLPA to support youth football. Since 1998, the NFL Grassroots program has provided more than $15.2 million to help community organizations build, or rebuild, 135 youth fields in more than 40 cities, typically in neighborhoods where funding sources are few and far between.

“These fields are a critical part of our efforts to create sustainable communities – places where people want to live, work and raise families,” said Julie Porter, Greater Kansas City LISC Executive Director. “With this award to Bishop Ward, more than $600,000 has been awarded to local organizations in Kansas City since 2002.”

Other communities receiving NFL Grassroots awards during this funding round are: Atlanta, Baltimore; Beaver Falls, PA; Cincinnati; Colorado Springs; Covington, KY; Detroit; Green Bay, WI; Honolulu; Indianapolis; Los Angeles; Miami; Milwaukee; Minneapolis; New Orleans; Philadelphia; San Diego; and Winston-Salem, NC.

About The NFL Youth Football Fund
Established in 1998 by the NFL in collaboration with the NFL Players Association, the NFL Youth Football Fund promotes positive youth development, while ensuring the health and future of football at the grassroots level. Through $150 million in funding by the YFF, many NFL youth programs such as NFLHS.com and Coach of the Week have been developed, providing youngsters with opportunities to learn the game of football, get physically fit and stay involved in productive after-school activities with adult mentors.

Innovative and effective youth football programs have resulted from teaming with organizations like LISC on the NFL Grassroots program. The league’s National Youth Football Partners also include the Amateur Athletic Union, American Youth Football, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Jewish Community Centers Association, National Police Athletic League, National Recreation & Park Association, Pop Warner Little Scholars and YMCA of the USA.

About Greater Kansas City LISC
LISC is the largest community development organization in the country, serving inner cities and distressed rural areas in 36 states. Greater Kansas City LISC supports redevelopment in over 100 square miles of Kansas City Metro area neighborhoods. By providing capital, technical expertise, training and information, Greater Kansas City LISC supports the development of local leadership and the creation of affordable housing, commercial, industrial and community facilities, businesses and jobs. Since 1990, Greater Kansas City LISC has helped build more than 5,800 new and rehabbed houses and apartments; develop 1.2 million square feet of retail and commercial space; and increase their capital by more than $16 million. For more information, visit www.lisc.org.

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