Bantams Squirts

Maddox aids Youth Sport Maddox aids Youth Sport Foundation's grants boost Hernando rink By Whitley Rives Special to My Life March 18, 2007 Maddox Foundation announced March 12 that it has committed $75,000 in a grant to Hernando Youth Sports to fund improvements at the Hernando Civic Center. The grant is being used to construct bleachers for seating at the facility's outdoor roller hockey rink, to construct ramps for easier access to the rink, to acquire and install a scoreboard for the rink, and to construct a bathroom and concession facility that will serve the rink and adjacent ball fields. The foundation is committing an additional $50,000 in general support for Hernando Youth Sports to support all of its youth recreation programs. "We have a long history of support for Hernando Youth Sports and the Jr. StreetKings roller hockey program that they operate at the Hernando Civic Center," said Mike Ward, director of programs for Maddox Foundation. "We are also supportive of Hernando Youth Sports and their mission to provide quality programs and services to young people in Hernando and the surrounding area." The improvements are a welcome addition to the Civic Center, according to Tabitha Bynum, whose son C.J. has been playing roller hockey in the Jr. StreetKings recreational league at the facility for four years. "The restroom and concession building for this part of the Civic Center property is something we have worked toward for some time," said Danny Phillips, facilities manager for Hernando Youth Sports. "It will certainly improve conveniences available to participants in our programs and their parents." Hernando Youth Sports also has long-term plans for the facility, according to Phillips, including putting awnings over the bleachers, and building permanent bleachers for baseball patrons with awnings. The group also has plans to pave the gravel parking lot with asphalt, add a white picket fence around the perimeter, and build more pavilions with grills for use by individual families or teams to rest in or cook out, at some point in the future. "Naturally, as Hernando grows we are always looking for ways to improve the park," Phillips said. "I've never been involved with a community partner that has been so consistent in their patronage and sponsorship of local youth sports as Maddox Foundation has been in their commitment to the kids. It's been that way since they first arrived and built the rink here." Hernando Youth Sports board member Charlie Gordon said he is excited about the possibilities now open for Hernando's young people. "Throughout our long history, we've had dreams of many improvements," Gordon said. "The benefit of Maddox Foundation's contribution is almost beyond words as to how much the functionality and appearance of the fields and facility will be improved. It's something that's been needed for a long time." Gordon said the addition of the hockey rink several years ago changed the facility from a strictly summer program to have a fall and winter use also, while maintaining Hernando Youth Sports' mission in the community. "The programs are open to every kid that wants to play," Gordon said. "We are a community based recreational program, and we've fought to keep it that way. If a child wants to play, he's going to play." "I think it's the best situation for the city and the county," Phillips said. "It's a tremendous bargain for the taxpayers of Hernando. We are building facilities and improving parks without any increase in taxes, because of Maddox Foundation's commitment to the youth sports program here." While the park is actually located just outside the city limits, the county and city administration have donated funds and services to improvements at the Civic Center every year, with this year's donation at about $12,000 each for upgrades to fields, such as putting in new sod, pitcher's mounds and bases. "We are happy to participate with the county and Maddox Foundation in making improvements over there," Hernando Mayor Chip Johnson said. "The money Maddox Foundation is investing in to the park is beneficial to the people of Hernando and the surrounding areas because the residents of Hernando use that park on a regular basis. The improvements will benefit those children that play there." Hernando Youth Sports recently announced that Derek Landmesser, current captain of the Memphis RiverKings ice hockey team, will oversee the roller hockey program at the park this summer. "The roller hockey program and youth sports are important because they give kids activities to do after school and in the summer," Landmesser said. "Kids learn so many things playing team sports. Of course I think hockey is the best sport in the world. All team sports are good though, because they are a lot of fun and help build character." The roller hockey season begins this spring. For more information, contact Phillips at 901-262-2239 or DPhil10513@aol.com or Landmesser at 901-870-7825 or jrstreetkings@yahoo.com. Baseball and softball signups start this month. For more information, call Phillips or visit the organization's website at www.HernandoSports.com. Back Edited By: Derek Landmesser on 3/23/2007 2:39:48 PM