Play it smart

Compiled by Mike Maddock with

contributions from www.playitsmart.org, www.footballfoundation.com and Freeman Belser

The National Football Foundation's Play it Smart program was initiated at Columbia High School in 2002, and the results speak for themselves. In the 2005- 2006 academic year, 100% of students participating in the program graduated on time. Of those, 82% enrolled in institutions of higher learning, and the rest joined the work force. The highest combined team cumulative GPA was 3.01. Prior to implementing the Play it Smart program, it was 2.0. Also prior to the program, juniors were not preparing for or taking the ACT or SAT exam. In 2005- 2006, 73% of Columbia High juniors signed up to take the SAT or ACT.

Members of The National Football Foundation created Play it Smart in 1998. The educational program is targeted at kids from tough inner city environments where family and community support are generally lacking. It was designed to take student-athletes' passion for sport and intense dedication to their team and transform them into a force for greater good in their lives. The program has sent 80% of its participants onto college at less than a dollar- a- day per student athlete.

The six Play it Smart goals are improve grade point averages, increase the number of students taking the SAT/ACT and improve their test scores, increase graduation rate and opportunities for higher education, enhance life skills development, increase opportunities for community service, and increase parental and family involvement.

The Midlands Chapter of the National Football Foundation will recognize The Play It Smart program in place at Columbia High School and the tremendous turnaround in the football team's academic performance at its annual scholar-athlete banquet April 24 at Seawell's at 7 pm.

The Midlands Chapter was formed in 1994 under the leadership of USC's former athletic director, Dr. Mike McGee, to identify and recognize the top scholar/athletes from Richland and Lexington County high schools. An anonymous panel will also select the Best of the Best , who will be recognized and receive a partial college scholarship. That winner will be eligible to receive a regional award as the top high school football scholar athlete.

An individual who has made an outstanding contribution to amateur football in S.C. will also be recognized. Past winners of this award are Willie Jeffries (legendary S.C. State Coach) and Jimmy Satterfield (former college and HS coach).

The banquet is funded by individual and corporate donors. Members are working (and still accepting) sponsorships. The guest speaker at this year's banquet is Mike Davis, former Columbia High School and current USC running back.

The Midlands Chapter is one of more than 100 chapters of the National Football Foundation nationwide.

To learn more about Play it Smart and the National Football Foundation visit www.playitsmart.org and www.footballfoundation.com.