Erie Freeze Partners With Booker T. Washington Center
April 22, 2005 - American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Erie Freeze News Release
The Booker T. Washington Center strives to improve the conditions for work, play, study, health and living in the Erie community, and to work with other agencies whose goals and objectives are consistent with those of our corporation.
The BTWC and Erie Freeze Football Organization have partnered in an effort to put a "Freeze" on educational poverty. Many youth are hungry for a future career in football, but often never achieve their goals, due to the lack of determination and educational success.
The Booker T. Washington Center's Prevention and Recreational Teams have designed a new and innovative program that will aide in the support of increasing educational success and make football careers a reality on all levels.
The Erie Freeze Football Organization has agreed to support the efforts of the BTWC by educating and guiding the youth toward a more successful outlook on individual responsibilities that promote future success.
The Erie Freeze Football players will offer educational, career, and healthy decision-making options and strategies necessary to succeed in life.
Many youth are attracted to the sport of football more so than education, and believe, for whatever reason, they can achieve their goals without education.
The Freeze want to give them a more clear vision of the truth, as they aspire to become future football players.
The Erie Freeze Football Organization shares the same truth for the Erie community. In partnering with the Erie Freeze Football Organization, the BTWC's goal is to make a make a difference.
The Erie Freeze football players have agreed to mentor, tutor, and be positive role models for participating youth within the community.
As part of this relationship, the Erie Freeze Organization has agreed to help raise funds for the Booker T. Washington Center's recreational department during all games and agreed upon community events.
The Erie Freeze Football players will mentor and tutor those youth selected into the Prevention and Recreation programs at the BTWC every Monday from 4:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
The team will provide educational support through youthful interests. Upon the completion of daily assigned school work, the youth will be engaged by the teachings of educational and football fundamentals. Only 25 youth per game will be selected from the BTWC's prevention and educational programs. All youth will have the opportunity to participate as a guest during the home games and have the same opportunities to participate.
Eligible youth will be selected on participation, behavior, attendance, and determination to succeed and willingness to "try".
On Saturday, April 23, 2005, The Erie Freeze have agreed to volunteer to work along side the BTWC participants before their first home game.
The Erie Freeze will be involved in projects at the Booker T. Washington Center to help refurbish the building initiated by United Ways Day of Caring. This project is being supported by the City of Erie, United Way and General Electric. The BTWC site has been chosen by G.E. Elfuns for repair and painting to the most critical areas in need of immediate attention following this event.
Lucky participants from the BTWC will be the special guest for the Erie Freeze first home game kick-off celebration.
The Booker T. Washington Center's flag football team will take to the field before the start of the game for some pre-game action and entertainment. After the pre-game festivities, these dedicated youngsters, "The Icicles", will inspire the sellout home crowd as part of the opening ceremony along side the Freeze dance team, "The Chillers." Thirty youth will assist by forming a tunnel during the opening of the game.
"Change and unity comes only when organizations and communities work together to make a difference in the one thing we all can agree on and that's our love for the Erie community," said Freeze head coach and general manager Mike Esposito.
Esposito added, "My heart and head tell me that our partnership with the Booker T. Washington Center will be a fantastic one. With my background in academics and athletics, I know these two facets go hand in hand in developing our young people. I'm just glad that the Freeze are able to be part of the lives of these young people."
The Freeze opens its home schedule April 23 at 7 p.m. in Tuillio Arena against Richmond.
For more information on the Freeze schedule, season tickets or employment opportunities log on to the team website at www.eriefreeze.com or call (814) 454-0200.
The Atlantic Indoor Football League is the hottest new professional league. For more information, visit www.aifloline.com, contact the league office at (330) 453-2860 or contact Joey Josephs, Director of Media Relations, by phone at (321) 356-5379 or by e-mail at jjosephs@aiflonline.com.
American Indoor Football Association Stories from April 22, 2005
- Erie Freeze Partners With Booker T. Washington Center - Erie Freeze
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