[ad_1]
MILFORD, Ohio — The Milford Exempted Village School District has received $250,000 from the Cincinnati Bengals through the National Football League Foundation’s Grassroots program.
The grant is for the installation of an artificial turf pitch at Milford’s Charity J. Lucas Memorial Field, a multi-purpose sports facility.
The opening ceremony in Milford is scheduled for August, according to the athletic department.
Milford High School is a Division I program and a member of the Eastern Cincinnati Conference.
The NFL Foundation’s Grassroots program is part of an ongoing program to distribute more than $2.5 million to local schools.
Other Cincinnati-area schools that have already received funding from this program include South Avondale Elementary School, Bishop Brossart, Clinton-Massie High School, Covington Catholic High School, Deer Park Jr./ Sr. High School, Harrison High School, La Salle High School, Lockland High School, Oak Hills High School, Taylor High School, Withrow University High School, and Midway Elementary School.
The pitches are either newly constructed or significantly renovated, with upgrades such as irrigation systems, lights, bleachers, scoreboards, goal posts and grass.
Local grants are awarded once established funding thresholds are met for each project.
The grant from the Bengals, NFL Foundation and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is part of $6 million in on-field renovation awards allocated this year to communities across the country.
“We are very grateful for the support of the Bengals in making this project a reality for our student-athletes,” Milford Superintendent John Spieser said in a statement.
“Milford has a proud history of athletic excellence, and we dream that this turf project will provide a high performance stage on which our athletes can continue to train and win. Along with the constant support of our Milford Athletic Boosters, This Bengals NFL Grassroots Grant empowers Milford athletes to thrive and succeed for generations to come.”
Milford athletic director Aaron Zupka said the school district has been working on the turf project for more than five years and the COVID-19 pandemic has presented fundraising challenges.
“This grant couldn’t have come at a more perfect time,” Zupka said.
“I am excited about the additional opportunities we can now bring to the Milford community through this project through enriching and life-changing extra-curricular activities for all ages.”
RELATED: Has the success of the Bengals changed the perception of Mike Brown?
RELATED: Chief provides ‘fuel’ to some Bengals players leading up to AFC title game
[ad_2]
Source link