Via Press Release
Crab Orchard native and Gatorade W.Va Baseball Player of the Year, Atticus Goodson, awarded Sophia Little League with a $10,000 grant to help accomplish their goal to provide an outlet of healthy activity and training in a positive atmosphere with up-to-date facilities.
Sports have seen a double-digit decline over the past decade, largely due to tighter budgets in communities, but young people that participate in sports are found to be happier, healthier and better students. Gatorade Play It Forward empowers Gatorade Player of the Year recipients across the country to award local or national sports organizations with grants, so they can continue helping young athletes enjoy the benefit of sports.
After Atticus Goodson won the Gatorade West Virginia Baseball Player of the Year award, he then submitted a short video to be considered for one of the 12 Spotlight Grants of $10,000.
“As with all Gatorade Player of the Year award winners, Atticus Goodson has demonstrated exemplary character,” said Kara Darling, Assistant Marketing Manager for Gatorade Player of the Year. “His short video illustrated the role that Sophia Little League has had in fostering that character. Our vision is that organizations like Sophia Little League continue to positively impact the kids of the future.”
Atticus Goodson started his baseball career at Sophia Little League in tee ball and continued to play until his last year of Senior League. During his time at SLL, he was part of five District 4 Championships and the W.Va Senior League State Runners–Up. His commitment to the league continued by volunteering to help train future players.
“Our kids look up to the high school athletes and Atticus taking the time to assist and give them pointers was a chance for them to meet and interact with one of their heroes,” said John Shufflebarger, President of Sophia Little League. “Sophia Little League has been blessed with former athletes that are humble and graciously return to help these future athletes. We are so thankful and excited that Atticus selected Sophia Little League as the recipient of the $10,000 Gatorade Grant.”
All 608 Gatorade State Player of the Year recipients are awarded a grant to donate to the organization of their choosing. Gatorade State Players of the Year may also submit a short video explaining why the organization they chose is deserving of one of a Spotlight Grant.
To keep up to date on the latest happenings, become a fan of Gatorade Player of the Year on Facebook and follow the conversation on Twitter #GatoradePOY. For more on Gatorade Play It Forward, the Gatorade Player of the Year, including nomination information, a complete list of past winners and the announcement of the Gatorade National Player of the Year, visit PlayerOfTheYear.Gatorade.com
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About Gatorade Player of the Year
The Gatorade Player of the Year is an athletic award program that annually recognizes student-athletes not only for outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character in 12 different sports: football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, baseball, softball, boys and girls soccer, and boys and girls track & field. The Gatorade Player of the Year award is the most prestigious award in high school sports. In existence for more than 35 years, past winners include Peyton Manning, Sydney McLaughlin, Mallory Pugh, Karl-Anthony Towns, Abby Wambach, Jayson Tatum, and many other sports icons.
Play It Forward is Gatorade’s cause marketing platform, which empowers every one of the Gatorade Player of the Year award winners to choose a local or national youth sport organization to receive a $1,000 grant from Gatorade. Gatorade State Players of the Year may also submit a short video explaining why the organization they chose is deserving of one of 12 Spotlight Grants, which awards $10,000 to the organization.
About Sophia Little League
Sophia Little League, as with all Little Leagues, believes in the power of youth baseball and softball to teach life lessons that build stronger individuals and communities. Little League is a service to our youth and the outlet of healthy activity and training, and building character and sportsmanship while providing an atmosphere of wholesome community participation.