The South Side football program is hoping to raise $60,000 to help its 8U, 10U and 13U teams travel to regional competition in Louisville and pursue a shot at national titles.
THE WORD
- The Englewood Lions’ 8U, 10U and 13U teams are preparing for state championships.
- The teams hope to compete in regional tournaments in Louisville, Kentucky, later this month.
- The organization is seeking $60,000 for travel, lodging, food, uniforms and tournament expenses.
- If they advance from regionals, the teams hope to compete for national championships in December.
The Englewood Lions are asking the Chicago community to get behind a group of young athletes with championship goals—and help make the trip possible.
The South Side program’s 8U, 10U and 13U teams are preparing for state championships, with regional competition in Louisville, Kentucky, on the horizon. A successful run there could lead to national championship competitions in December.
For quarterback Devon Sanders, who plays on the 8U team, football is tied to a big personal goal. “It’s my dream to make it to the NFL,” he told CBS Chicago.
But getting to the next stage takes more than preparation on the field. Englewood Lions Youth Athletics vice president Kola Parks Jr. said the organization is trying to make sure every player has the opportunity to travel and compete.
“Every kid deserves a fair chance to get down there to display their talent, because they’ve earned it.”— Kola Parks Jr., Englewood Lions Youth Athletics vice president
The program is aiming to raise $60,000 to help cover travel, lodging, food, uniforms and tournament expenses. Team leaders also say the experience is about more than football: the program gives young athletes opportunities to learn, grow and represent Englewood on a larger stage.
“Good things that’s coming from Englewood. It ain’t always about the bad. We’re doing the good work. We’re teaching these kids,” Parks told CBS Chicago.
For 8U player Ian Allen, the support could help the team chase the trophies they’ve been working toward. “It makes us feel good so we can win it all and we can get all those big old trophies,” he said.
The Lions are hoping the community will rally around the players as they work toward their championship goals. A fundraiser page linked by CBS Chicago is listed for Englewood Lions 8U GAWDS.
Be apart of the conversation: What kind of support do youth sports programs in Chicago need most to help young athletes reach opportunities like this?
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