DETROIT – Nearly 800 boys will get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity on Saturday when the Detroit Lions sponsor PAL's football championship games. These boys will have a chance to play on the same field as the professional athletes they admire when they take over Ford Field in front of thousands of fans.
Detroit PAL is a non-profit organization positively impacting the lives of over 10,000 children each year through athletic and leadership development programs with roots dating back to 1970. In partnership with the Detroit Police Department, PAL builds character in young people and empowers the community by training volunteer coaches and creating safe places for kids to play.
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Football is Detroit PAL's largest and oldest program of the eleven offered. With 2600 youth participants in football, part of Detroit PAL's football program success is due to the 800 coaches and volunteers who donate their time to mentoring the young players.
Despite the amount of crime and single-parent households in Detroit, PAL is proud that 85% of coaches in the organization are African American males. These coaches dedicate their time five days of each week to building character through athletics with the hopes of seeing their kids make it to Ford Field on November 9th.
Football championship games at Ford Field will be filled with football action, dancing and cheering.
Championship games will take place at the following times:
Ages 7-8: 9:00a.m.
James Craig addressing crowd: 12:00p.m.
Ages 13-14: 12:30p.m.
Unity cheerleader performance: 2:30p.m.
Ages 10-11: 3:00p.m.
Ages 12-13: 5:00p.m.
Tickets are $5 for adults, $2 for children ages 6-14 and free for children five and under
PAL expects the eventful day in Ford Field will draw thousands of excited fans. Each game will be followed by an award ceremony honoring all participants as well as the Most Valuable Player and Coach of the Year.
Ford Field is located at 2000 Brush St #200, Detroit, MI 48226