Soccer Communities Unite to Support Afterschool Soccer Program


Soccer Communities Unite to Support Afterschool Soccer Program
 — /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- On September 29, 2012, thousands of soccer enthusiasts will make a nationwide attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most soccer balls ever dribbled by a group at one time. Synchronized across four time zones in ten minutes of simultaneous dribbling, The Great America SCORES Soccer Dribble aims to connect over 3,000 supporters to break the current record (2,068 dribblers) in Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, New York, Portland, San Francisco, St Louis and Seattle.
More than a world record, The Great America SCORES Soccer Dribble is a mission to bring the world's most popular sport into under-resourced elementary schools. Soccer communities across the country are uniting to raise money and awareness for America SCORES, an afterschool program that uses soccer to inspire health and literacy among urban youth. National support from Pepsi, Soccer.com, and SCORCH Agency enables America SCORES to commit all proceeds directly to serving students in need.
"Everyone affiliated with America SCORES, from our organization's leadership to the children we serve, is excited to join together in this fun way to actively support our ongoing mission to inspire at-risk, urban youth to lead healthy lives," said Kate Carpenter, America SCORES Milwaukee Executive Director.
With help from longtime partners The American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and adidas America, America SCORES has released a theme song by award-winning ASCAP songwriter/producer Alonzo "Zo" Lee (Ludacris, Britney Spears), Tendai, Trak Starz/Starz Angels, Psalm One (Rhymesayers Entertainment), Flo (Trak Starz Records) and students from America SCORES; and will launch a series of endorsement videos featuring a cast of professional athletes including Kenny Cooper (New York Red Bulls), Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), Patrik Nyarko (Chicago Fire), Jeff Parke and Patrick Ianni (Seattle Sounders). Women's US National team players Heather O'Reilly, Rebecca Sauerbrunn, & Leslie Osborne are also showing support.
Visit americascores.org/soccerdribble or fb.me/america.scores to find a dribble near you.
When: September 29, 2012
Where: Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, New York, Portland, San Francisco, St Louis and Seattle. (map)
Register: Cost varies by city and includes official commemorative event soccer ball & T-shirt. (Subject to availability.) www.americascores.org/soccerdribble
Donate: Can't make it to the Soccer Dribble? Please consider making a contribution. www.americascores.org/donate
"Our goal is not only to support 3,000 national dribblers to break a world record on a single day, but to raise awareness and generate the funds necessary to keep our local program that instills increased levels of student academic achievement, physical fitness, and community involvement going and growing every day," said Carpenter. "It's a special opportunity to participate in a unique fundraiser of potentially world record breaking scope with local community benefits." (Click to view all sponsors.)
At the inaugural event in Saint Louis, America SCORES set the record at 428 soccer dribblers, raised almost $20,000, and highlighted America SCORES impact on the academic achievement and health of urban students. America SCORES has since been recognized by First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move campaign with a special invitation to The White House and featured in the Corporation for Public Broadcasting's American Graduate campaign for the preventative role in the high school dropout crisis.
"Soccer is an institution that spans generations in St. Louis and across the country," said Pete Spanos, America SCORES board member and owner of Vetta sports complexes. "We saw the need for an event to pull together soccer players and teams from around the area to kick off the season, and as a result of its success, the event has been replicated nationally in 10 other cities."
Local Event Details (Click for map)
  • America SCORES National Office  Pier 25, in New York City (at Hudson River Greenway and North Moore)
  • Atlanta Silverback Park 3200 Atlanta Silverbacks Way Atlanta, Georgia 30340
  • Cleveland State University's Krenzler Field (Chester Ave & E 18th St.) Cleveland, OH 44114
  • University of Illinois, Chicago's Flames Field: Soccer 901 W. Roosevelt Rd (Maxwell St. & Morgan St.) Chicago, IL 60608
  • East High School in Denver 1600 City Park Esplanade Denver, CO 80206
  • Palms Elementary in Los Angeles 3520 Motor Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90034
  • Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee 7101 West Good Hope Road Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • Portland, Happy Valley Park 13770 Southeast Ridgecrest Road Happy Valley, OR
  • San Francisco, Candlestick Park 490 Jamestown Avenue San Francisco, CA 94124
  • Logan Field in Seattle University Park E Cherry St & 12th Ave Seattle, WA 98122
  • Saint Louis University's Hermann Stadium 221 N Grand Blvd, Saint Louis, MO 63103
Since 1994, America SCORES has served over 50,000 elementary and middle school students. Using soccer as a tool to encourage fitness, sportsmanship, and leadership, America SCORES aims to inspire the life-long appreciation of sports and health-enhancing behaviors. Engaging in six to eight hours of vigorous physical exercise each week for 24 weeks, the average America SCORES participants receives ten times more exercise than the national average and lower their BMI by 2% by the end of each season. In many of our affiliate cities, America SCORES is the only program providing citywide soccer playing opportunities.
America SCORES inspires urban youth to lead healthy lives, be engaged students, and have the confidence and character to make a difference in the world. Through innovative afterschool and summer programming which combine soccer, poetry, and service-learning, America SCORES serves 7,500 students at 150 schools every day for over 24 weeks each year and instil increased levels of academic achievement, physical fitness, and a sense of teamwork and belonging. Learn more at www.americascores.org.
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