The USA Track and Field Foundation Chairman Bob Greifeld and Executive Director Tom Jackovic recently announced it has awarded 29 youth grants to track-and-field clubs throughout the country.
Consisting of athletes from the Kokomo Schools Corporation, the Kats For A Cure Track Club was among the recipients. The Kokomo Club was awarded $1,500. It was the only Indiana club selected. A total of $46,400 in grants were distributed.
The grants assist young male and-female athletes with expenses such as travel to meets, equipment, uniforms, awards and facility rental.
“The USATF Foundation prides itself on giving kids an opportunity to compete in track & field. These youth grants help us accomplish that mission,” said Jackovic, adding the Foundation encourages youth track clubs and programs from all areas of the United States to apply for financial assistance.
This is the second national grant the Club has received. Last fall, the club was award the Cedric Walker Development Grant from the National Scholastic Athletic Foundation. In addition, the Club has participated in the USATF's Win With Integrity program and the IAAF's Real Winner education program.
"We are excited and honored to have been chosen for this grant," said K.O. Jackson, the club's coach and Kokomo High School's head girls' track-and-field coach. "It means a lot to be recognized because of all the hard work and effort the Club puts in on-and-off the track.There are numerous youth track clubs in Fort Wayne and Indianapolis, but few in central Indiana. These grants give us an opportunity to not only be competitive with them but is also allows us to offer more opportunities for youth to participate in track-and-field."
Within the last year, the Club has had two athletes who have qualified for national track-and-field championships: Indiana State University signee Summer Blackamore in the shot put and KHS freshman Lana Pham in the high jump.
Jackson said the Club is open to all athletes 5th grade and up. The fall training season begins July 7 with indoor meets beginning in December and the USATF Junior Olympic Track-and-Field meets begin June 14.
Jackovic said the Foundation favors the use of grant money to expand existing youth programs/clubs, to provide additional competitive opportunities for children and to enhance the experience for all participants.
He said preference is given to clubs that are based in low-income areas. It also favors programs that have a history of solid financial management, multiple funding sources and community support. Allowable expenses include equipment, uniforms, meet fees, travel, facility rental, and outreach.
Youth interested in joining the Kats For A Cure Track Club should contact Coach Jackson at 765-865-5412 or at kirvenjackson@yahoo.com.
For more information, or to contribute to the USA Track & Field Foundation, visit www.usatffoundation.org or contact Tom Jackovic at (412) 398-2484 or tom.jackovic@usatf.org.
CLUBS AWARDED GRANTS:
A PLUS Youth Program WA $1,000
Allegiance Athletic Club OR $1,500
Ann Arbor Youth TC MI $2,000
Barton Hills Elementary Running Club TX $1,500
Chicago Area Runners Association IL $3,000
Garden State Track Club NJ $2,000
Girls on the Run of Lancaster PA $2,000
Grace Beauty Speed Organization MD $1,500
Kats for a Cure Track Club IN $1,500
Lancaster City Track Club PA $1,500
Landsharks Running Club CO $1,500
Lightning Spikes Track Club GA $2,000
Manchester Track GA $1,500
Park Flyers T&F Club MN $2,000
Patriot Decathlon Club UT $500
Perdue Athletics Track Club NJ $1,500
Princeton Athletic Club NJ $1,500
Raising the Bar Athletics CA $600
Revelation Peak Performance NC $1,500
RunVermont VT $1,500
Saints Track Club IL $1,500
Schenley Heights Comm Dev Program PA $1,500
Southern Minnesota Vault Club MN $1,500
St. Bruno Catholic School IL $1,100
TeamRogue TX $3,000
UrbanLife CA $2,600
USA Wings Track Club CA $1,500
Virgil Simpson Road Runners NC $1,500
West T&F FL $600