Wangenheim Middle School welcomes, thanks Chargers for weight room

A grant from Chargers Champions program has brought new fitness options to Wangenheim Middle School in Mira Mesa.

Defensive tackle Corey Liuget, A.G. Spanos, Chargers Executive Vice President, Principal Dr. Matt Fallon were on hand for dedication of the facility, funded by a $40,000 grant from the program. Watch video»

"What the Chargers have done is invaluable," Principal Fallon said at the dedication event. "Besides the monetary donation, which is incredible, it demonstrates to the kids the importance of community and helping one another.”
Spanos, grandson of family patriarch Alex Spanos, said his grandfather began the Chargers Champions program as a way to give back to the community.

“This is a special initiative because it was started by my grandfather to help our schools,” said A.G. Spanos. “With budget cuts in the state, usually some of the first programs to get cut are the athletic programs. It is very important for students to create proper habits to stay fit and active for their lives. Therefore, our organization and my family feel it is important to help make up for that shortfall and create a better quality of life for the young people of San Diego.”

Fallon said the weight room will make Wangenheim a healthier place.

“We put the grant in taking a shot in the dark and this has been thrilling,” he said. “We’ve always wanted a fitness room but have never been able to afford or put it together even though we knew it was very important for the quality of our physical fitness program. When we were named it was really wonderful."

San Diego's schools say "Go Chargers!"

Pacific Beach Middle School students show their spirit in support of the San Diego Chargers' playoff hopes, as well as the National Football League team's consistent support of San Diego schools. Read more about the Chargers' contributions.

Board of Education salutes Chargers CEO and ‘Chargers Champions’ grants

The Board of Education has saluted the San Diego Chargers for their support of San Diego schools and accepted awards to four schools in 2013.

A.G. Spanos, Executive Vice President – Chief Executive Officer for the team, presented checks to officials from the four schools for the new programs: Nye Elementary, $30,000 for the Peaceful Playground Program; $40,000 weight room at Wangenheim Middle School for a new weight room; Muir k-12, $40,000 for the school's archery program; Clairemont High School, $75,000 for a new weight room and sand volleyball pit.

"On behalf of my family and the San Diego Chargers," said Spanos, "i would like to congratulate the winners and ... I would like to commend all the teachers and administrators who work so hard for our young people."

Dr. John Lee Evans, Board of Education President, saluted the team and the Spanos family for its consistent support of physical fitness and the health of San Diego children.

"This is a great, great honor and presentation," he said. "We can see the really specific things they are doing for our schools."

Since the program began in 2000, Chargers Champions has provided more than $1 million to assist schools, teachers and students in the San Diego Unified School District; across San Diego County, the team and family have donated more than $4 million to schools. Each year the Chargers Champions School Grant Program allows public and private schools within San Diego County to apply for badly-needed funding for physical fitness, nutrition or athletic programs on their campuses.
Here is a list of school grants and uses.

• 2012: Nye Elementary, peaceful playground and equipment; Wangenheim Middle, fitness room and equipment; John Muir School, archery range, Field Turf and equipment; Clairemont High fitness center, cardio and weight equipment.
  
• 2011: Carson Elementary, grass field; North Park Elementary, physical education equipment; Mission Bay High, fitness, weight and cardio center.
  
• 2010: Alcott Elementary, activity room equipment; Hoover High, fitness equipment grant; Lindbergh Schweitzer Elementary, 16 spinners.
  
• 2009: Bay Park Elementary, fitness area for visually impaired students; Horton Elementary, indoor fitness room equipment.
  
• 2008: Cubberley Elementary, basketball courts; Kearny High Educational Complex, weight and fitness room; Washington Elementary, basketball/ball wall courts and fitness equipment.
  
• 2007: Morse High, Active Healthy School Program; Patrick Henry High, wrestling and aerobics room matting; Taft Middle, HOP Sports Center.
  
• 2006: Scripps Ranch High, field renovation; Mann Middle, fitness center; Hage Elementary, fitness equipment; Paradise Hills Elementary, outdoor fitness trail club.
  
• 2005: Roosevelt Middle, indoor fitness lab; Carson Elementary, turf field project; Sunset View, Elementary, running track; Kieller Charter, fitness lab; Paradise Hills Elementary, 10-station fitness trail; North Park Elementary, Fitness Games.
  
• 2004: Darnall Charter, 10-station outdoor fitness center; McKinley Elementary, 10-station outdoor fitness center; Bell Middle, 8-station multipurpose fitness room; Crawford High, weight and aerobics facility.a
  
• 2003: Pacific Beach Middle, physical fitness room; Serra High, weight and aerobics room.
  

Chargers Champions grants go to four San Diego Unified schools

Clairemont High, Muir K-12, Wangenheim Middle and Nye Elementary schools have received grants from the Chargers Champions School Grant Program.

Chargers Champions makes a strong commitment to San Diego County schools by providing grants for much-needed physical fitness, nutrition and athletic programs. Selected high schools are eligible to receive grants of up to $75,000; middle schools up to $40,000; and elementary schools up to $30,000.

“Schools throughout California need our support,” Chargers President Dean Spanos said. “The main goal of our program is to provide students in San Diego with the necessary means to living a healthy lifestyle through physical fitness.”

Clairemont High School received $75,000 for a new weight room and sand volleyball court. John Muir K-12 School received $45,000 for fencing equipment and an archery center. Wangenheim Middle School was granted $40,000 for an indoor fitness center. Nye Elementary School received $30,000 for its Peaceful Playground Program.

"We have great schools and hardworking administrators that look for every opportunity to improve academics, facilities and activities for students," said Bruce Ward, San Diego Unified's Director of Athletics.

Chargers Champions consistently provides more support for schools than any other private company in the county. In 13 years, 95 schools have received funding for projects ranging from outdoor fitness trails, weight rooms, running tracks or fitness equipment.

Funds allocated to Chargers Champions are administered through the Chargers Community Foundation, the San Diego Chargers’ charitable foundation. The Foundation was established in 1995 by Dean and Alex Spanos to “help” San Diego build on its strengths by supporting individuals, activities and organizations that work to make the city a better place to live.

Over the years, many schools have received grants through the Chargers Champions program. In 2012, Mission Bay High, and Ross Elementary received grants.

For more information, see the Chargers Champions website.

Chargers donate equipment to Scripps Ranch High School

Source: San Diego Chargers
 
The San Diego Chargers have a rich history of giving back to the city of San Diego.
They continued that June 26, donating approximately 35 shoulder pads and other used equipment to Scripps Ranch High School.

“This is amazing because a lot of the kids that we have at our school are in need of items,” said Joe Meyer, head football coach and athletic director for Scripps Ranch. “It’s good for us to be able to hand out this equipment to them and let them know that they are wanted and welcome anytime. If they have any issues there are people who will take care of them like the Chargers. Having these shoulder pads are appreciated by the Chargers and (Equipment Manager) Bob (Wick). We really don’t get a huge budget to work with. A lot of our money is fundraised. So for them to donate this equipment is very much appreciated.”

Meyer picked up multiple boxes filled to the brim from the Chargers equipment room, and they will be put to immediate use for the 2013 season.

Out with the old, in with the new; Chargers donate equipment to schools

With a new strength and conditioning staff comes a new philosophy.

And with a new philosophy comes new equipment.

That’s why on multiple moving trucks and personnel were on hand recently to remove the old equipment to make room for the brand new ones the Chargers are bringing in.

“Every time you have a change, you kind of have a shift philosophically in what you want to do,” said new Strength and Conditioning Coach Kent Johnston. “A lot of the new things and equipment that we want to get in are because of what we want to accomplish. It’s because of what we believe in doing as a staff to train guys and prep them to first of all avoid injury , that’s the primary task, and second of all to improve their performance on the field.”

So what will the Chargers do with the old equipment that is still in good condition?

The team is donating the free weights and workout machines to the San Diego Unified School District. On hand to oversee the removal of the equipment and transportation to the schools, which include Hoover High, Crawford High School and Scripps Ranch High School, was Bruce Ward, Director of Physical Fitness and Athletics for the District.

“I got a call from the Chargers and they said they had some weight equipment and asked if we would be interested,” he said. “Of course we were. So I came and looked at it and they told us what they had and here we are now.”

Ward has dealt with numerous professional teams over his tenure, but he says the philanthropic nature of the Bolts blows the other teams out of the water.

“I’ve been in three states and fortunate to work with a number of organizations, and people don’t realize the Chargers are more giving than any pro team that I’ve ever seen in any of the states I’ve been in,” he said. “They are all about the students and their achievement not only physically but academically too.”
Johnston, who is just a month into his tenure as the Chargers new strength and conditioning coach, is also impressed by the generosity of the Chargers in deciding to donate this equipment.

“I think it says a lot about the organization,” he said. “It shows how it is a community oriented organization and how they are looking out to better the schools, the kids and the community here in San Diego.”

Courtesy chargers.com

Mission Bay athletes get new weight room

STUDENT VOICES: $75,000 from a San Diego Chargers foundation grant will go toward facility. Read story from Mission Bay High School Beachcomber»

Edison Elementary Gets Bikes from Bikes for Kids and San Diego Chargers

IN THE NEWS: The annual Bikes for Kids program, spearheaded by local philanthropist Bill Pollakov, was met by members of the San Diego Chargers at Edison Elementary School where they gave away bicycles to a very excited student body. Watch video.

Charger Game Security Examined by Lincoln Criminal Justice Students

Students at the Charger game.

Criminal justice program students at Lincoln High School have made a real connection with some of the officers and program leads through the STAR/PAL partnership developed over the last few years by instructor Ray Beattie, who involves his students in as many real-world activities with the group as possible.

In September, some of his students were guests of STAR/PAL at one of the home Charger games. The students received an in-depth tour of the San Diego Police Department Command Center at Qualcomm Stadium before the game. Beattie invites police officers into his class to address his criminal justice students on various legal issues and to share their career paths with the students.

The criminal justice program at Lincoln High School is part of the College Career and Technical Education (CCTE) program in the San Diego Unified School District. Career technical education courses are offered in 15 industry sectors tied to local economic and workforce needs.

An officer visits Lincoln.

Lincoln High School, located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, offers students a wide variety of career-technical education courses that include these criminal justice classes in the Public Safety Sector, as well as other classes in the Engineering and Arts, Media and Entertainment sectors.

STAR/PAL (Sports Training, Academics, Recreation/Police Athletic League) is a non-profit organization that provides more than 10,000 youth services annually in inner-city neighborhoods throughout San Diego city and county. STAR/PAL offers free educational, athletic, and recreational programs which focus on promoting youth safety, positive life choices, and academic success.

STAR/PAL program directors are officers from the San Diego Police and County Probation departments.

These dedicated officers coordinate unique programs for under-served youth, with the assistance of additional law enforcement and community volunteers. By bringing youth and law enforcement officers together in this manner, STAR/PAL helps build safer communities in the future.

For more information about STAR/PAL, please visit www.starpal.org. For more information about the Criminal Justice program at Lincoln High School, please contact Ray Beattie, CCTE Teacher, at rbeattie@sandi.net.

Chargers Donation Helps Fund Fitness Study at 27 Schools

The San Diego Chargers have selected 27 elementary, middle and high schools to participate in a three-year study to help promote physical activity and combat the obesity epidemic that is plaguing our youth.

The Cooper Institute, a non-profit organization, and NFL Charities, the charitable foundation of the National Football League, have partnered together to add the Fitnessgram® assessment tool to the NFL PLAY 60 movement, as part of a $1.8 million grant from the NFL.

Fitnessgram measures overall health through six tests designed to track aerobic capacity, body composition, muscular endurance, strength and flexibility. Thanks to the Chargers, participating physical education teachers at the 27 schools receive a web-based Fitnessgram 9 site license, a free Fitnessgram test administration kit, and one-on-one technical support from The Cooper Institute.

The software allows physical education teachers to provide instant results, based on age and gender, in an individualized report to help educate parents and students and encourage healthy behaviors. Each site license is valued at $1,620 per school, which results in more than $43,740 in savings to the district. The ongoing technical support from The Cooper Institute is priceless.

Designed to tackle childhood obesity, NFL PLAY 60 brings together the NFL's long-standing commitment to health and fitness with partner organizations. The program challenges youth to become physically active for at least 60 minutes each day. Teachers will collect data from student fitness assessments to form a youth longitudinal study tracking health-related fitness results and analyze how best to intervene. The resulting data will be provided to local, state, and national policy makers.

This is not the first time the Chargers have supported youth fitness in San Diego. They have contributed to a variety of fitness initiatives, including the NFL PLAY 60 initiative, recently popularized by television commercials.

The schools are: Hage and Lindbergh-Schweitzer elementary; Audubon, Bethune, Fulton, Golden Hill and Grant K-8s; Bell, Clark, Correia, Creative Performing Media Arts, Innovation, Knox, Lewis, Marshall, Marston, Memorial Prep for Scholars and Athletes, Millennial Tech, Montgomery, Muirlands, Pacific Beach, Pershing, Roosevelt, Standley and Taft middle schools; Scripps Ranch High School and John Muir K-12.

For more information, contact Bruce Ward, Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics, at 619-725-7126.

Memorial Preparatory gets $10,000 NFL PLAY 60 Grant from Chargers

Students at Memorial Preparatory for Scholars and Athletes did not let an unprecedented San Diego power outage in September stop their plans to hold Back to Football Friday. They instead rallied to show off their Chargers pride a week later, earning a chance to win a NFL PLAY 60 grant.

Their resilience paid off as Memorial Preparatory was selected to receive a $10,000 grant from the Chargers and the NFL for demonstrating their passion for the Bolts.

Tight end Randy McMichael, kicker Nick Novak, safety and long snapper Mike Windtwere on hand to present the school with the grant and talk to students about health and fitness today. Following a Q&A session, McMichael, Novak, Stuckey and Windt held a NFL Physical Education Class for students.

The NFL PLAY 60 Super School sweepstakes selected one school in each of the 32 NFL markets and two non-NFL markets. Winning schools are receiving a $10,000 NFL PLAY 60 grant for health and wellness programming or equipment and a visit from NFL players.

Memorial Preparatory hosted a lunchtime pep rally for their Back to Football Friday event where students competed in a hot dog eating contest, a door decorating contest and tug-o-war matches. The funds from the grant will be used toward an exercise science lab where the school’s goal is to increase cardiovascular machines and purchase Polar Heart Monitors, buy computers and build a body analysis section.

To celebrate the start of the 2011 NFL season,fans were encouraged to demonstrate their passion for their favorite NFL teams by planning a unique Back to Football Friday event for their school, all to support youth health and wellness. Schools that entered the Back to Football Friday contest submitted photos of their event and answered brief essay questions.

• Find out more at Chargers.com»