The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation Sports Matter Program Saves More Than 180 Youth Athletic Teams Across The U.S.

PITTSBURGH, May 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation today announced the funding of more than 180 youth athletic teams from across the country through its inaugural Sports Matter program.   During a five-week fundraising campaign, the Sports Matter initiative raised more than $2 million in donations, and the DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation matched team efforts up to their fundraising goals, totaling more than $4 million in funds going directly to teams facing severe financial challenges.

In March, DICK'S Sporting Goods and The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation announced a $25 million multi-year commitment to support youth athletic programs including donations to local sports teams and the launch of The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation's Sports Matter initiative. Sports Matter addressed the growing issue of underfunded youth athletics nationwide through an extensive public awareness campaign and a new proprietary crowd-funding platform in which The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation matched community donations for participating programs.

"We are thrilled Sports Matter was able to draw nationwide attention to this important funding crisis, while enabling more than 180 teams to keep playing," said Lauren Hobart, Director of The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation & SVP/CMO DICK'S Sporting Goods.  "We believe sports teach valuable lifelong lessons, and we have seen firsthand through this program the powerful impact athletics has on children, parents and communities.  This has reinvigorated our steadfast commitment to continue to address the ongoing sports funding issue."

The data is telling: Billions have been cut from youth sports programs nationwide in recent years and 60 percent of children must now pay a fee to play(1). An alarming study predicts that by 2020, 27 percent of U.S. public schools will not offer interscholastic sports programs(2). Yet, evidence shows that students who play sports are significantly more likely to stay in school and go to college, and prove better at social skills like managing emotions, resolving conflict, appreciating diversity and resisting peer pressure(3).

"Congratulations to The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation on successfully launching Sports Matter to tackle this important issue.  Every year we're seeing more budget cutbacks in sports, coaches are being eliminated, and fewer players are going out for teams. Sports Matter is doing something about it!" said Jon Gruden, Sports Matter ambassador. "I am proud to be a part of this great program and excited to stay connected to the team I personally donated to save – The Twin Valley Raiders."

As a result of Sports Matter donations, programs like the APEX Elites in New Orleans can provide a safe place for children to play basketball, the Mustang Swim Team from Los Angeles will continue to provide children from low income communities a high quality swim program, the Harlem 76ers will offer 145 local students a lacrosse program with no fee, and many other programs will continue to offer access to sports to thousands of young people.   

Additionally, to raise awareness for the Sports Matter movement, The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation partnered with Tribeca Digital Studios and director Judd Ehrlich to create We Could Be King, a documentary that cuts to the heart of the issue. The film depicts two rival Philadelphia high schools that were forced to merge due to severe budget cuts, and how their merged football teams have to learn to work together not only for the team's sake, but also for the fractured community they represent on the field.  The film aired on ESPN channels and ABC throughout April and May, and will be available On Demand in August.

For more information or to support this cause visit: dicks.com/sportsmatter.

#SportsMatter

About The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation
The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation is an exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation with a mission to inspire and enable sports participation.  It was created by DICK'S Sporting Goods, Inc. as a private corporate foundation to support DICK'S charitable and philanthropic activities.

Sources: (1) Up2Us; (2) The Sharp Center; (3) The Decline of Youth Sports

Contact: DICK'S Sporting Goods, [email protected]

SOURCE DICK'S Sporting Goods