Berkshire Local Schools, Brookside Jr. Cardinals Football & Impact Youth, Inc., Named 2025 Leo Murphy Field & Equipment Grant Recipients


CLEVELAND – Berkshire Local Schools, Brookside Jr. Cardinals Football and Impact Youth, Inc., have been named 2025 recipients of the Leo Murphy Field & Equipment Grant, the Cleveland Touchdown Club Charities (CTCC) announced on April 8.

The Leo Murphy Field & Equipment Grant is named after the late longtime Cleveland Browns trainer and Honorary Lifetime Member of CTCC, Leo Murphy. With the awarding of $12,500 in grants in 2025, the program has now supported 28 programs by awarding $104,500 in grants since 2013.

“Thanks to the ongoing support of so many organizations and individuals who sponsor our annual Gene Hickerson Memorial Golf Outing each year, we were able to award the highest single-year grant distribution total in the program’s history,” CTCC President Christina Webb said. “This year also saw our highest number of applicants ever, which tells us our work is not done. As a board, we know to continue increasing our support of the surrounding community needs, we can only be successful if we increase our fundraising efforts annually as well.”

Berkshire Local Schools, located in Burton, Ohio, has seen significant growth in its middle and high school football programs, growing from 50-60 players in 2020 to nearly 100 players each year since 2021. Both programs emphasize teamwork, discipline and community involvement. Berkshire will receive a $3,000 grant that will go towards new helmets for both programs.

“We are very grateful to be selected as a recipient of the 2025 Leo Murphy Field & Equipment Grant,” Brian Hiscox, Director of Athletics and Activities, said. “Our football program at the high school level has grown because our youth players have been playing NFL Flag and Rookie Tackle Football through our league's partnership with the Cleveland Browns. Because more players are playing at the youth level, more players are continuing to play at the high school level, and this grant will go towards providing our program with more helmets.”

Impact Youth, Inc., located in Cleveland, Ohio, is a two-time recipient of this grant, also receiving a grant in 2021. This program provides a safe and empowering environment for boys and girls ages 6-14 in the inner city of Cleveland. It focuses on developing fundamental football skills, teamwork, discipline and leadership while promoting physical fitness and positive values. Impact Youth will receive a $5,000 grant for reconditioning of helmets, field fees, new uniforms and to support participation fees for its participating athletes.

“We are truly honored and deeply grateful that the Cleveland Touchdown Club Charities has once again selected the Impact Youth Cleveland Bearcats Football & Cheer Program as a grant recipient,” Shawn P. Austin, Sr., Youth Development Director and Chief Executive Officer for Impact Youth said. “CTCC’s continued support is a tremendous blessing to the student-athletes participating in our program and it will have a meaningful impact on their development both on and off the field.”

Brookside Jr. Cardinals Football, located in Sheffield Village / Sheffield Lake, Ohio, is a non-profit organization serving youth football and cheer participants in grades K-6 and is dedicated to inclusivity, safety and player development. In 2024, the program fielded over 90 players across four different levels, including three flag and four tackle football teams. The Brookside Jr Cards will receive a $4,500 grant for the purchasing of new helmets and the reconditioning of current equipment.

“Thanks to the Leo Murphy Field & Equipment Grant, we can maintain our safety standard by professionally reconditioning helmets throughout the program while enhancing helmet safety with the purchase 25 of new Riddell SpeedFlex helmets,” Rob Frieg, Director, Brookside Jr Cardinals Football, said. “This support helps more than you can imagine since helmet cost is the largest component of a player's registration." 

All three programs will be honored this summer at the annual Gene Hickerson Memorial Golf Outing. This year’s event will be held on Friday, July 11, at Bunker Hill Golf Course in Medina, Ohio. Visit our event page for more information on registration and sponsorship opportunities.

Leo Murphy Memorial Field & Equipment Grant eligibility is limited to 501(c)(3) non-profit youth organizations and local schools in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage and Summit counties. Grant funds are designated to make improvements to equipment and/or facilities, and to help improve the safety and overall quality of those programs.