The St. Philip’s School & Community Center in Dallas received a $5,000 “Victory Grant” on Thursday for equipment to bolster its athletic programs.
This was the first major Victory Grant awarded by BSN Sports, a sporting-goods distributor. BSN Sports announced the $1 million Victory Grant initiative back in September, in which schools apply for a share of the $1 million pool to be spent on athletic equipment and uniforms.
BSN Sports will donate $5,000 worth of athletic equipment to St. Philip’s, and will work with the school to determine exactly what equipment and uniforms it will spend the money on.
“St. Philip’s provides a college-preparatory education fueled by a confluence of spirituality, self-determination, and service to others,” said Terry Flowers, executive director and headmaster for St. Philip’s, in a statement. “Athletic and after-school activities provide real-world ‘rehearsal’ space where our kids can test and refine these qualities before they graduate. We are grateful to BSN SPORTS—and all of our generous benefactors—for their ongoing commitment to this mission.”
The St. Philip’s Community Center athletic department serves more than 250 children a year with the sports programs it provides, according to the school’s website.
While this is the first major Victory Grant awarded by BSN Sports, its CEO makes it sound like there’s more to come in the near future.
“In this difficult time for our nation’s education system, we are aware that athletic departments and after-school programs have been particularly impacted,” said Adam Blumenfeld, the chairman and CEO of BSN SPORTS, in a statement. “This is just the beginning, and we look forward to awarding more grants this year.”
Back when I spoke with Mr. Blumenfeld via email in September, he said that BSN Sports “will try to help as many programs” as possible, meaning that it was unlikely that the company will award “an exceptionally large amount to a single applicant.”
Victory Grants are open to all K-12 sports organizations. Anyone interested in applying can do so online.
Elementary school programs can also apply for Fit Funds Grants, which are awarded through the US Games division of BSN Sports’ umbrella corporation, Sport Supply Group Inc.
Photo: Jason Stolly, head of BSN Sports’ Victory Grant Program, stands with Coach Eddie Fletcher from St. Philip’s School and BSN Sports sales representative Mike Wilson. BSN Sports awarded St. Philip’s School a $5,000 Victory Grant in a ceremony on Nov. 3. (Credit: BSN Sports)