The San Diego Chargers contributed $250,000 to the San Diego Unified School District this year to fund freshman boys football and girls volleyball starting this fall.
The contribution means that some 1,200 ninth-grade students in the district’s 16 high schools will get the chance to participate in these sports. Freshman sports in the district were discontinued in 1978.
The investment is part of the Chargers’ Champions youth scholarship program, and hailed by educators as a critical benefit to young people attending the schools.
“Participation in athletics benefits students by developing their leadership skills, improving their academic success, promoting cooperation and team-building, and developing their interpersonal relationships,” said Barbara Brooks, the district’s director of educational and school services.
The Chargers and school administrators are hoping the initiation of the two teams cause other private companies to contribute to both educational and athletic programs for students.
