USATF Foundation Awards $18,000 in Additional Youth Grants to Support Future Track Stars

18 Sep USATF Foundation Awards $18,000 in Additional Youth Grants to Support Future Track Stars

PITTSBURGH-

The USA Track & Field Foundation is proud to announce an additional $18,000 in Youth Club grants to nine outstanding track and field clubs across the country. This brings the total awarded in Youth grants for 2024 to a record-breaking $97,800. These clubs, selected for their exceptional commitment to youth development, provide essential resources to cultivate the next generation of track stars while promoting character building, education, physical fitness, and personal growth.

Among these deserving clubs, three stand out for their exceptional commitment to their athletes and communities. These clubs go above and beyond to create a lasting impact both on and off the track, serving as exemplary models for youth sports organizations nationwide. Whether through holistic development programs, academic support services, or unique recognition initiatives, these clubs are shaping the future stars of track and field while instilling values that will help them become successful, well-rounded individuals both in sports and in life.

Founded by Coach Wendell, Tallahassee Zoom Track Club based in Tallahassee, Florida emphasizes a family-like atmosphere that nurtures both athletic and academic success. The club has produced over 16 collegiate national champions, a testament to its winning culture. Beyond track and field, Tallahassee Zoom offers recruiting workshops for middle school athletes and their families, helping them understand scholarship opportunities and what coaches look for in athletes. Additionally, the club provides quarterly support services, including meetings with sports therapists to address performance anxiety and a peer tutoring program to assist athletes with their academic performance.

My Best Track Club, located in Plainfield, Illinois, serves youth from the Chicagoland area and the Joliet Housing Authority. Led by Coach Robert, My Best Track Club is more than just an athletic organization, the club actively participates in social service projects to uplift the community. Every Christmas, they volunteer at a local food pantry, and in the spring, they organize events to feed the elderly. Coach Robert’s mission is to offer high-level opportunities for the club’s athletes to improve their lives financially and personally through track and field. His dedication is evident in his proactive approach to managing the club, ensuring that youth in the Chicagoland area have the chance to succeed both on and off the track.

For the past 12 years, Lightning Spikes Track Club located in Lawrenceville, Georgia has inspired young athletes with its “Real-Time Recognition Program.” Athletes earn gold star pins each time they achieve a personal record (PR), encouraging them to focus on self-improvement. Athletes who collect three gold stars are awarded a coveted gold shoe lapel pin, a symbol of their perseverance and hard work. With over 600 stars awarded each year, the Lightning Spikes’ program teaches athletes the value of personal growth and the importance of celebrating their unique journey in the sport.

These 9 clubs will be receiving an additional USATF Foundation Youth Grant Award: