Avenger Double Days
June 5, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release
LOS ANGELES - Even though it is their day off, Avenger players regularly take part in "Double Days" ... the team's community outreach program that makes visits to schools and/or hospitals each week.
On Monday, "A-Team" dancers Katie and Lindsey spent the day visiting with students and their teachers for the Avengers' "Stay In The Game to A.C.H.I.E.V.E." program at Olive Vista Middle School in Sylmar. Later in the day, quarterback Tim Hicks and offensive lineman Matt McGhghy spent the afternoon instructing a youth football clinic for LA's Best After School Enrichment Program at The Accelerated School in Los Angeles.
"The kids were really excited to play football," McGhghy said. "It's important that we as role models come out into the community and spend time with these kids."
At Olive Vista Middle School, Katie and Lindsey spoke to the students about the importance of getting good grades, being involved in school activities and stressed the importance of being honest. They also let the students know that this is the time to set a solid foundation for their futures through school. The two Avenger dancers also answered questions from the students and signed autographs.
At The Accelerated School, Hicks and McGhghy put on a football clinic for more than 40 young girls and boys.
The "Stay In The Game to A.C.H.I.E.V.E." program, which combines motivational and reward opportunities for students with the access to the experiences and leadership of Avenger players, coaches and "A-Team" dancers. The ultimate goal is to encourage and positively influence students, rewarding them for their achievements with two complimentary tickets to a Los Angeles Avengers home game at STAPLES Center (categories include: good attendance, straight A's, improving grades and the ninth man award).
The A.C.H.I.E.V.E. curriculum is based on the characteristics that the Avengers believe are the keys to a student's success: A - Academics, C - Courage, H - Honesty, I - Involvement, E - Enthusiasm, V - Values, E - Excellence. Avenger players, coaches and "A-Team" dancers use examples from their own lives to demonstrate that working hard in school can enable your dreams to become reality.
This year, the Avengers distributed 35,000 ticket vouchers to over 100 schools in the Los Angeles area to support the teams' "Stay In The Game to A.C.H.I.E.V.E." program.
LA's BEST is a nationally recognized after school education, enrichment and recreation program serving more than 26,000 elementary school children ages five to 12 at 180 elementary school sites in the City of Los Angeles. The program runs each school day from 3 to 6 p.m., at no cost to parents.
Established in 1988 by Mayor Tom Bradley to address an alarming rise in the lack of adequate adult supervision of children during the critical hours after school, LA's BEST functions as a partnership, including the City of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Unified School District and the private sector.
The LA's BEST vision is to give all children a safe place to be after school with caring, responsible adults and engaging activities that connect each child to his/her school, family and community.
For more information on LA's BEST, please call (213) 978-0801 or visit their official website at http://www.lasbest.org/index.php.
The Avengers are currently 7-6. The team's next game will be on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Monday, June 11 when they play the Arizona Rattlers at 10:00 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Pro-rated Avenger season tickets are on sale now at 888-AVENGERS or www.laavengers.com. Single-game tickets, which range in price from $10 to $69.50, are also on sale now at all Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com and the STAPLES Center box office.
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