After Meeting Fundraising Goal, Suburban Pop Warner Team Makes Super Bowl
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. (CBS) -- Now that it has raised the money to finance its trip to the Pop Warner championships, a team of 7th and 8th graders from Hoffman Estates is doing well in the tournament.
A $5,000 donation from the Omron Foundation put the Hoffman Estates Redhawks' fundraising effort over the top. Spokesman Kevin Bulatek said the Omron Foundation does not normally underwrite athletic competition, but said it is impressed by the league's commitment to academics as well as athletics.
The team works individually with each of its players, providing tutoring where needed. Players must maintain good grades in order to remain on the team.
"They seem like a good organization," Bulatek said. "Gthey seemed like they needed some help."
Since arriving in Orlando last week, the Redhawks have beaten the Loveland (Col.) Titans 28-0 and the Northeast (Ariz.) Pride 15-12, to qualify for the Pop Warner Super Bowl in the Junior Midget division. Coach Mark Coalson is pumped.
"It's a great feeling," he said.
The Redhawks face Florida's Jensen Beach Falcons in the title game.
