As part of a community service project sponsored by Under Armour and ESPN, about 90 participants in the Under Armour All-America Football Game tossed sod at the Robinswood Middle School playing field on Wednesday.
Central Florida is being represented by Dr. Phillips wide receiver Trey Griffey, Edgewater wide receiver Alton Howard, Boone wide receiver Marvin Bracy, West Orange defensive back Lucas Thompson, Daytona Beach Mainland defensive lineman Leonard Williams, Leesburg linebacker Noor Davis and Melbourne Holy Trinity safety Marcus Maye.
Speaking at the dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony of the rennovated football field, Orange County Public Schools Superintendent Ron Blocker said, “it’s good to see high school athletics doing something that is community oriented and helping others.” I am actually more proud for the Robinswood Middle School community because this school is all about community and it will strengthen the bonds, he added.
The rennovation of the Robinswood Middle School playing field is a multi-phase project beginning with the laying of new sod, principal Marcia Newsome said. Additional bleachers, an irrigation system and a new scoreboard, to be funded by Nephron Pharmaceutical Corp., will complete the project.
Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said, the young athletes are doing something positive for the community through the community service project.
“They are coming from all over the county and doing something positive for this community,” he said. “This venue will provide a good place for our kids to come and through athletics get involved in something other than some of the things our kids get involved with that sometimes get a lot of attention in the press.”
Responding to why scores of deputies were present at the sod laying and dedication ceremony, Demings said that many deputies are involved in mentoring programs and also run the Police Athletics Program, a positive alternative for kids.
“Also, our deputies are here on the school campus – they are part of all our middle, high and elementary schools in Orange County,” Demings added.
The Under Armour All-America Foorball Game will take place on Thursday, January 5, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, beginning at 8:00 p.m.
