Spalding named official Pop Warner football
June 8, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mass., June 8, 2004 - Making its mark on the gridiron with the largest youth football organization in the country, Spalding, a division of Russell Corporation (NYSE: RML), and Pop Warner Little Scholars, today announced a multi-year agreement that names Spalding the official football of Pop Warner football.
With 41 states and more than 360,000 participants associated with Pop Warner, Spalding will provide Pop Warner participants with a slightly modified design of its popular Arena Football League game ball which was introduced in early 2004. In addition, a portion of Spalding's Pop Warner sales will be donated to assist team travel funds for the Pop Warner Super Bowl in Orlando, Florida.
"We're pleased to align with Pop Warner whose mission is to provide activities in a safe and structured environment that teaches fundamental values, skills and knowledge that children will use throughout their lives," stated Dan Touhey, vice president of marketing, Spalding. "Pop Warner also provides a great grass roots platform for Spalding to reach the important youth who represent the future of athletic participation."
The Spalding Pop Warner Official Football, like the AFL ball, has a light brown base color and features a blue 'S' stripe that adds visual clarity, and blue 'crosshairs' on each end. The stripe and cross-haired tips allow young players downfield to quickly locate the center of the ball in flight. The Spalding Pop Warner line includes three types of materials - top grain leather, composite leather and rubber - and three sizes - youth, junior and pee wee.
Spalding conducted research that unveiled youth's significant preference of the AFL design over the traditional brown football.
"As we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Pop Warner Football, it's appropriate to be associated with Spalding, one of the great historical brands in the marketplace," stated Jon Butler, Executive Director, Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc.. "We know that our coaches and football players will be just as excited when they see and play with the uniquely designed Spalding Pop Warner footballs."
"We are thrilled that Pop Warner has selected the high-performance Spalding AFL Game Ball as the model for their new official ball. Reaching kids has always been an AFL strength and providing a link between Spalding and Pop Warner will help the sport of football reach tomorrow's players today." said AFL Commissioner David Baker.
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