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Buchtel CLC, Fairport Harbor Exempted Village Schools and Nordonia Youth Football Named 2024 Leo Murphy Field & Equipment Grant Recipients
Each program will receive a grant to help secure the purchase of new football equipment
CLEVELAND – Buchtel CLC, Fairport Harbor Exempted Village Schools and Nordonia Youth Football have been named 2024 recipients of the Leo Murphy Field & Equipment Grant, the Cleveland Touchdown Club Charities (CTCC) announced on March 28.
The Field & Equipment Grant is named after the late longtime Cleveland Browns trainer and Honorary Lifetime Member of CTCC, Leo Murphy.
“This year’s review process may have been the most-difficult in recent memory with so many first-time applicants to review,” CTCC President Christina Webb said. “For the first time ever, we welcomed programs from Summit County to apply and we are excited to recognize Buchtel CLC and Fairport Harbor High School as our first Summit County recipients.”
Buchtel CLC enters its second season as an Akron Public Schools (APS) sponsored middle school sport. The newly-created program builds on a deep and proud tradition of APS high school football, which recently qualified four teams for State Playoffs. This was the most in APS history. Buchtel will receive $2,000 to help purchase new football helmets and other equipment.
“We are extremely grateful to receive a 2024 Leo Murphy Field & Equipment Grant to benefit the middle school football program at Buchtel CLC. Joseph Vassalotti, Coordinator - Secondary Education & Athletics, said. “This funding will help greatly with the increasing costs of helmets and shoulder pads, especially since our district only recently began sponsoring middle school football. Our administrators, coaches, and student-athletes at Buchtel are excited and thankful to be selected!”
Fairport Harbor is a Division VII program in Lake County, posting a 4-6 record in 2023. The program will receive a $4,000 grant to purchase new equipment and football helmets to support the incoming freshman class, as well as the incoming 7th grade class.
“Fairport Football is very appreciative of receiving the 2024 Leo Murphy Field & Equipment Grant,” Head Coach Domanick Sherwood shared. “This grant will provide funds for essential equipment to aid in our student-athletes safety. We are deeply grateful for your support of Fairport High School and the game of football.”
Nordonia Youth Football is a non-profit volunteer organization formed with the purpose of providing a competitive and organized program for children in grades 2-6 in Macedonia, Ohio. The program will receive a $1,500 grant to help purchase new shoulder pads for its nearly 125 players.
“We are so appreciative to be named a recipient of the Leo Murphy Field and Equipment Grant,” Nordonia Youth Football President Kevin Cross said. “These funds will allow us to make sure our young athletes are playing with safe and functional equipment as costs rise while families are struggling to afford additional fees. Our coaches and kids are very thankful for opportunities like these.”
CTCC 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.