Young runners are inspiring, strong and determined, but even the toughest athletes and most storied high school programs need an occasional boost to reach their goals. Today, Brooks Running Company announced it will double down on its commitment to the future of the sport by launching the Brooks Booster Club. This needs-based grant program will provide gear and funds to 25 under resourced high school cross country and track teams across the U.S. and Canada.
“Through our Inspiring Coach of the Year Award, we've been able to honor dozens of amazing coaches who build the foundation of our sport and inspire young kids to run, but we discovered there were many schools in need of help in ways that go beyond the award. The Brooks Booster Club is how we plan to provide that assistance," said Brooks Team Brand Manager Steve DeKoker.
The Booster Club will support 25 high school teams by outfitting athletes with training and racing shoes, racing uniforms, and sweats. Additionally, the schools will receive with $2,000 in cash to help with expenses including pay-to-play fees, meet entry fees and transportation costs. Coaches and athletic directors can apply for a Brooks Booster Club grant online at brooksrunning.com/boosterclub now through May 1. Brooks will announce winners in June.
Brooks also invites the running community to pay it forward with the opportunity to expand the program's reach beyond 25 high school teams. Proceeds from the company's new ebook, "Running Through the First 100 Years," and Booster Club promotional items coming later this year on Brooks' website will go directly to additional Brooks Booster Club grants. For every $5,000 raised, Brooks will add another school to the Booster Club grant list. Runners can buy the ebook on Amazon and the iBookstore for $9.99.
On top of launching the Booster Club, in 2015 Brooks will expand its Inspiring Coach of the Year Award program to Canada. Brooks will recognize 10 coaches from the U.S. and three from Canada for their work in inspiring young athletes to run and be active. The winner will receive $10,000 in gear and $2,500 in cash, all finalists receive $2,500 in gear and $500 in cash, and each of them will be honored in June at the 2015 Brooks Inspiring Coach of the Year awards banquet.
Beginning today, Brooks calls on high school runners, their parents and family members, colleagues, school administrators and the running community to nominate a current high school cross country or track coach for the Inspiring Coach of the Year Award. Nominations close May 1; more information is available at brooksrunning.com/inspiringcoaches.
On its quest to celebrate and champion the sport of running, Brooks continually invests in a number of initiatives that promote a healthy, welcoming competitive environment, like supporting professional athletes and teams at the elite level. The Brooks Booster Club and Inspiring Coach of the Year Award are two additional pieces of the company's growing stake in all levels of competitive running. Furthermore, the company contributes to collegiate and high school programs throughout the U.S. and sponsors track and cross country meets like the prestigious Mt. SAC Invite and Relays and its own PR Invitational.