Atlanta Falcons/USA Football – 7th Annual State Forum
USA Football State Forum
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Recap
On Saturday, March 22, the Atlanta Falcons hosted USA Football’s 7th annual Youth Football State Forum at Booker T. Washington High School in Atlanta, Georgia. The event was one of largest ever USA Football State Forums with 28 youth football association presidents attending to learn about the Heads Up Football program, discuss best practices and learn about the current challenges regarding the sport of football.
The event kicked-off with a welcome from Atlanta Falcons President & CEO Rich McKay and Head Coach, Mike Smith. Attendees were introduced to USA Football’s Heads Up Football program by USA Football Executive Director, Scott Hallenbeck and Regional Manager Evan Lindsey. Hallenbeck and Lindsey spoke to the group about the importance of the Heads Up Football program and how to register their association to participate. Additionally, Lindsey spoke about ways to grow youth football participation, grant opportunities and additional resources available through USA Football. Atlanta Falcons alumni and Heads Up Football Master Trainer Buddy Curry spoke on proper equipment fitting and hydration.
Chris Millman, Community Relations and Youth Programs Manager at the Atlanta Falcons, spoke about equipment grant opportunities available through Good Sports. Millman also spoke about programs and grants available to youth football teams and cheerleading squads. The Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation randomly selected five associations and awarded each with a $500 equipment grant. The recipients were: Baldwin County Youth Football Association, Bremen Parks and Recreation, Clayton County Youth Football, Harris County Youth Football and Waverly Hall Youth Football.
Leagues that were in attendance included:
Baldwin County Youth Football Association
Bremen Parks and Recreation
Clayton County Youth Football
Georgia Elite Sports Academy, Inc.
Georgia Youth Football League
Harris County Youth Football
Johns Creek Youth Football Association
Kings Ridge Tigers
McDonough Youth Association
McEachern Youth Football League
North Metro Football League
Northeast Georgia Youth Football
Pass Mustangs
South Metro Falcons
Springfield Football Association
Tri-City Youth Football League
Waverly Hall Youth Football
West Georgia Football League
Each attendee received a special gift bag filled with Atlanta Falcons items, literature about concussion awareness and information about USA Football resources.