Release #267-00

 

Contact:

Sunny Mindel/Michael Anton 212/788-2958

MAYOR GIULIANI ANNOUNCES $9 MILLION CITY
CHALLENGE GRANT TO BUILD SCHOOL ATHLETIC FIELDS

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today announced that the City is pledging $9 million to help build new school athletic fields in participation with "Take the Field, Inc.," a private, non-profit organization whose mission is to rebuild public high school athletic fields throughout the five boroughs. The City funding will be made available in the form of a challenge grant, through which the City will provide $3 for every $1 raised privately.

"I am delighted to announce this City commitment to 'Take the Field,' a worthy effort to rebuild public high school athletic fields and gymnasiums," Mayor Giuliani said. "Sports and physical education are an important part of the curriculum. They also instill vital skills like teamwork and discipline, and help young people stay in shape and lead healthier lives. I look forward to working together with 'Take the Field,' to make this a winning effort for young New Yorkers. Who knows? These new facilities may even produce another Manny Ramirez, who exercised his talents on this very field before going off to play for the Cleveland Indians."

The Mayor made the announcement at a groundbreaking for the first "Take the Field" project, a football field at George Washington High School in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan. Also present were Preston Robert Tisch, chairman of "Take the Field"; Richard Kahan, President of "Take the Field"; Tony Kiser, co-founder of "Take the Field,"; Schools Chancellor Harold O. Levy; NFL great Frank Gifford, and numerous other sports figures and elected officials.

Over the next year, "Take the Field" intends to spend approximately $16 million rebuilding at least one athletic complex in each borough as part of its pilot program.