Who We Are

 

We are Athletes to Champions. You may have heard of us. Through Project Alaska Turf, we brought an artificial turf field to Barrow, Alaska so that their high school football team didn't have to practice and play their games on gravel. We are a non-profit group whose mission is to promote youth athletics in areas where sports provide much needed structure and guidance for kids who might otherwise follow less wholesome paths. We have seen the difference made in young people's lives by being included as a member of a team, by receiving support and direction from teammates and coaches, and by the knowledge that people believe in and depend on them.

Recent Events

Power Cross Football Camp

Last summer, A2C along with the group Power Cross organized a baseball camp for 50 boys in Statesville, North Carolina.  The camp was a great success not just because 50 young men ages 8-12 learned how to play baseball, (many for the first time) but they were mentored by athletes who demonstrated the importance of hard work and staying on the right path.

This summer A2C had the privilege of working with 70 boys from the Statesville area, ranging in age from 7 to 17 years, by providing them with a football training camp.  Several college and former professional athletes volunteered their services for the camp, including former Cincinnati Bengal Carl Parker and his son Kyle Parker, a quarterback at Clemson, Quan Rucker, a West Iredell High School graduate and freshman at Wake Forest, Andrew Parker, shown left ( no relation, but also a son of a A2C Board member), also playing at Wake Forest, and Grant Harner (also the son of one of A2C's Board members), from East Carolina University.

"Camp Blends Faith, Football" View Story

Camp Photo Gallery Courtesy of TheClemsonInsider  See Gallery

For more on Power Cross, view the Power Cross section of our "Projects" page.

 

Women of Influence Luncheon

We were recently privileged to have as a keynote speaker for our Women of Influence luncheon, Pam Tebow, mother of Heisman Trophy winner and National Champion football player Tim Tebow, who spoke about her experiences as a woman, as a Christian, and as a missionary. (She also exhibited some of her singing skills). The inaugural luncheon, was attended by nearly 100 women, who together helped raised money to be distributed to the many worthy Athletes to Champions projects. Among those in attendance were several NFL wives, Dorothy Pittman Hughes and Power Cross's Natalie Storment.

 

Play It Forward

All participants in the programs we support are given a certificate which recognizes their efforts and reminds them that others have invested in their value as Individuals. The certificate asks them to remember the support they have received, and to "Play it Forward" as they become, future parents coaches and community leaders.

© 2009 Athletes to Champions. All rights reserved.