November 2 , 2010
Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DETROIT LIONS WILL HOST THE THINK DETROIT PAL YOUTH FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
 
DETROIT, Mich.—Since 1996, the Detroit Lions have hosted Think Detroit PAL’s youth football championship, starting at the Silverdome, and moving to Ford Field in 2002.  For 2010, more than 180 youth football players will participate in the Saturday, November 13 event.

Tim Richey, COO of Think Detroit PAL, says, “We are thankful that the Detroit Lions are providing this opportunity for our kids for a 15th straight year. Our young athletes look forward to the chance to test their skills at Ford Field.”

The stadium, located at 2000 Brush Street in downtown Detroit, will open to the public at 8 a.m. The first of four games will begin at 9 a.m. with the D-Team challenge. The C-Team Championship starts at 12:30 p.m., followed by the B-Team Championship at 3:00 p.m. The games conclude with the A-Team Championship at 5:25 p.m.

Cheerleaders also get a chance to shine, with a Mascot Unity Dance at noon and the Unity Cheer at 2:40 p.m.

Tim Pendell, senior director of community affairs for the Detroit Lions, said the team is honored to be partnering with Think Detroit PAL for the 2010 championship. “All it takes is to spend a few minutes at any of Think Detroit PAL’s events to know that this outstanding organization is providing invaluable support, guidance and instruction to the children in our community,” Pendell said.

The fun-filled day of activities under the covered dome of the Lions’ home field is expected to draw thousands of excited fans and over 1,000 participants and volunteer coaches.

Tickets are $5 at the door ($2 for children ages 5-14. 4 and under are FREE).  Adult tickets are $4 in advance at the Think Detroit PAL office at 111 W. Willis in Detroit.  

Think Detroit PAL was formed on March 1, 2006, by the merger of two of the leading youth development organizations in the Detroit area:  Think Detroit, Inc. and the Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL). The organization is one of the largest non-profit urban youth development programs in the nation, and serves nearly 12,000 young people annually through athletic, academic, and leadership development programs.

For more information or to make a donation, please contact Think Detroit PAL at 313.833.1600 or on the web at www.thinkdetroitpal.org.