News Summary
Cooper Kinney, a former Baylor School graduate and current Tampa Bay Rays player, has been awarded a $10,000 grant through the Gatorade Player of the Year Play it Forward grant. The funding will support the Southside Youth Development program in Chattanooga, aiming to enhance athletic opportunities for local children. Kinney’s dedication is evident through his involvement in promoting sports among youth, and the grant will facilitate various initiatives, including improvements to local baseball fields and recruitment of coaches. His contributions reflect a commitment to community engagement and mentorship.
Chattanooga – Former Baylor School graduate Cooper Kinney has secured a $10,000 grant through the Gatorade Player of the Year Play it Forward grant, intended to benefit the local youth sports program, Southside Youth Development. He is recognized for his commitment to enhancing athletic opportunities for children in the Chattanooga southside community.
In his current baseball career as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays, Kinney hit a significant milestone in his second full season with the team, coinciding with his grant announcement, which occurred the same day he achieved his first professional home run. His contributions off the field have garnered attention, particularly through his involvement with Southside Youth Development, which aims to foster youth sports engagement in the area.
To win the grant, Kinney created a video detailing why Southside Youth Development deserves the funding, highlighting the organization’s mission to promote sports among children in the community. He expressed his belief in the importance of equitable opportunities for young athletes and his desire to use his platform to create positive change.
Southside Youth Development has several upcoming initiatives that will benefit from the grant funds. These include the establishment of a sandlot league, revamping two baseball fields, and recruiting volunteers and coaches from the local community. This expansion aims not only to improve sports conditions but also to enhance mentorship opportunities for local youth, creating a more engaging environment around the Emma Wheeler Homes area.
Jonathan Johnson, the co-coordinator of Southside Youth Development and a coach at The Howard School, expressed gratitude for the grant and the positive impact it will have on local children. The funding will be allocated to purchase additional baseball equipment and to enhance the playing field at Emma Wheeler Homes, making it more accessible and enjoyable for young athletes.
Another co-coordinator, Drew Barton, mentioned that the grant will significantly benefit the program and the community, creating avenues for children to participate in organized sports, thereby strengthening community ties. The initiative is not just focused on sports; it is also dedicated to building relationships through youth mentorship and community involvement.
Xavier Cotto, president of Southside Youth Development, noted that the program has already emerged as a unifying force within the community, promoting engagement and support from local residents. By fostering a love for baseball and sports in general, the organization aims to instill essential values such as teamwork and discipline in young athletes.
Cooper Kinney’s journey from being a standout student-athlete at Baylor School to becoming a professional baseball player has made him a role model for many young people in the community. His father, Mike Kinney, has praised his son’s ability to understand and connect with kids from diverse backgrounds while maintaining a commitment to helping others through sports and education.
Overall, the $10,000 grant secured by Cooper Kinney, paired with his ongoing involvement in Southside Youth Development, signifies a promising future for youth sports in Chattanooga. The community is excited to witness the transformative effects of this funding, hopeful it will inspire a new generation of athletes while fostering a spirit of collaboration and unity within southside Chattanooga.
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Additional Resources
- Times Free Press: Former Baylor Star Cooper Kinney Inches Closer to Professional Milestone
- Wikipedia: Youth Sports
- WAKA: Behind the Biscuits – Cooper Kinney
- Google Search: Cooper Kinney
- Chattanoogan: A Lifelong Impact – Cooper Kinney
- Google Scholar: Cooper Kinney
- Times Free Press: Baylor Grad Cooper Kinney and Others from Chattanooga
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Youth Development
- Times Free Press: Cooper Kinney and Logan Workman Reflect
- Google News: Youth Mentor Programs
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