USA Track & Field Foundation awards Elite Athlete Development Grants to 45 athletes

USA Track & Field Foundation awards Elite Athlete Development Grants to 45 athletes

INDIANAPOLIS – The USA Track & Field Foundation is reaching new heights in 2015 with a record $374,000 in financial support awarded to elite track & field athletes. The list is highlighted by the Stephen Schwarzman Endowment Grantees, many of whom are 2016 Rio Games medal contenders.  In all, the Foundation awarded 45 Elite Athlete Development Grants in the first round, announced Foundation Executive Director Tom Jackovic and Chairman Bob Greifeld.

Jack Whitt

The Athlete Grant Program contributes to the pursuit of world-class performances by American post-collegiate track & field athletes. The USA Track & Field Foundation supports elite athletes as they strive to achieve their dream of competing in an Olympic Games, a World Championship or other Team USA competitions. The Foundation provides assistance to athletes that meet its grant application criteria, including income thresholds and performance standards.

“With the World Championships and the Olympics on the horizon our donors generously made available a record amount of dollars, allowing us to support more athletes than ever before,” exclaimed USATF Foundation Director Jack Wickens.

At the top of their class are the Stephen Schwarzman Endowment grantees that are recognized for their success on an international level and for having excellent potential to be in medal contention in the Rio Summer Games in 2016. The 10 athletes receiving this award are:

AlysiaMontano$7,000
BradWalker$7,000
ChanellePrice$7,000
DeeDeeTrotter$7,000
GarrettHeath$7,000
JeffHenderson$7,000
KylieHutson$7,000
LashindaDemus$7,000
MarySaxer$7,000
MorganUceny$7,000

 

The dedicated athletes to be awarded Elite Athlete Development Grants are the following 34 individuals:

AmandaSmock$4,000
AshleyHigginson$4,000
BarbaraNwaba$4,000
BeckyHolliday$4,000
BrianaNelson$4,000
ChantaeMcMillan$4,000
ChristopherBenard$4,000
DustinJonas$4,000
ErikSowinski$4,000
HeatherMiller$4,000
JackWhitt$4,000
JacquelynCoward$4,000
JasminStowers$4,000
JeffreyPorter$4,000
JeremyTaiwo$4,000
JernailHayes$4,000
MaggieVessey$4,000
MarkHollis$4,000
MichaelHartfield$4,000
TiffanyWilliams$4,000
ToriPolk$4,000
TyronStewart$4,000
BridgetFranek$3,000
DonCowart$3,000
HarunAbda$3,000
JeffreyEggleston$3,000
KianiProfit$3,000
KyleMerber$3,000
LataviaThomas$3,000
MayaPressley$3,000
RayStewart$3,000
SaraVaughn$3,000
TroyDoris$3,000
TynitaButts$3,000

Also receiving an Elite Athlete Development Grant is the first athlete to participate in USATF Foundation’s Adopt an Athlete Program.  Turquoise Thompson was recognized for her potential and has $10,000 in dedicated funds for support in her pursuit leading up to the next Olympic Games thanks to a generous donor.

Combined with Wednesday’s announcement of 23 John W. James Endowment grantees, the USA Track & Field Foundation has awarded a record total of $374,000 to 68 athletes thus far in 2015.

Additionally, these athletes will have the opportunity to appear at various elementary and middle schools across the country in the USA Track & Field Foundation’s Run With US! program.  In each Run With US! event, Olympic athletes coach students on track & field skills and exercise drills.  The program provides an opportunity for the elite athletes and Olympians to give back to their community.



The USATF Foundation provides a means to attract and guide funds to new and innovative track and field programs with an emphasis on providing opportunities for youth athletes, emerging and experienced elite athletes, along with guidance on future career paths. The Foundation depends upon donations from its Board of Directors, major gifts, and from generous fans of track & field.

Elite athletes are supported by the Foundation via monetary grants, career counseling (mentoring and jobs) and participation in Run With US!. Youth athletes are supported via monetary grants to youth clubs.

For more information, or to contribute to the USA Track & Field Foundation, Click Here or contact Tom Jackovic at (412) 398-2484 or tjackovic@usatffoundation.org.