The Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation and Calia by Carrie Underwood, a fitness and lifestyle brand created in partnership with Dick’s Sporting Goods and Grammy Award winner Carrie Underwood, announced plans to donate $500,000 in Sports Matter grants to girls youth sports teams across the country.
Since 2014, The Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation has pledged over $50 million to support teams and raise awareness of the importance of youth sports across the country through its Sports Matter initiative.
To kick off the partnership in her hometown of Checotah, Oklahoma, The Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation and Underwood herself surprised unsuspecting Checotah Middle School and High School female student-athletes during a summer practice to present a Sports Matter grant of $100,000 to the Checotah School District Girls Athletic Programs.
“I am so honored to partner with The Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation to give back to my high school’s girls sports teams,” said Underwood. “Being active in youth sports while growing up helped set the foundation and passion for making fitness an important part of my life today. Participating in sports also taught me important life lessons about dedication and teamwork. Through this donation, we want to make sure there are plenty of opportunities for girls to play sports in Checotah for years to come.”
Dick’s Foundation will be partnering with Underwood’s local C.A.T.S. (Checotah, Animal, Town, and School) Foundation and Brian Terry, Checotah High School Principal and Athletic Director, to allocate the Sports Matter grant to the girls softball, track and field, basketball, cheerleading and golf teams.
“At Dick’s, we believe sports make people better, and through this partnership, we hope to provide more opportunities for girls to play sports nationwide,” said Lauren Hobart, Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer, Dick’s Sporting Goods and President of The Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation. “Carrie Underwood knows firsthand the impact sports can have on girls becoming strong, successful women. The Dick’s Foundation and the Calia by Carrie Underwood brand are excited to ensure that opportunities for girls to participate in sports continue to exist.”
