Mission Bay High, Ross Elementary Receive Grants from Chargers

Mission Bay High School will receive $75,000 for weight room improvements and Ross Elementary $4,000 for its physical education programs from the San Diego Chargers "Chargers Champions" program.

“This is our signature program,” said Chargers Executive Vice President - Chief Executive Officer A.G. Spanos. “And that’s for two reasons. San Diego is our home, and San Diego schools need our help. The true heroes are the teachers and administrators who put forward the effort for the students every day on a daily basis. We’re just happy and very appreciative to be in a position to support them.”

The National Football League team and its owners, the Spanos family, have been donating to schools for nearly 20 years.

At Mission Bay High, the weight-room improvements will benefit about 900 students in physical education classes, where they'll have the opportunity to perform cardio, weight and conditioning training. Students involved in Mission Bay's athletics teams will also be able to improve conditioning and lower their potential for injury with the new equipment.

“Receiving this award is a testament to the hard work and cooperation between the school and our parent organization, Friends of Pacific Beach Secondary Schools,” Mission Bay Principal Fred Hilgers told the Beach and Bay Press. “Without the diligence of Betsy Knight, this 8-year dream of revitalizing the school’s weight room would never have happened.”

Knight is a longtime supporter of Pacific Beach schools and the outgoing Ways and Means Director of the Friends of Pacific Beach Secondary Schools.

Ross Elementary in Clairemont also received a grant, along with schools in several other parts of San Diego County.

The Spanos family and the Chargers Community Foundation have been donating funds to educational institutions throughout San Diego County for nearly two decades. The Chargers Champions program, begun in 2000, has provided more than $4 million to assist schools, teachers and students. Each year the Chargers Champions School Grant Program allows public and private schools within San Diego County to apply for badly-needed funding for physical fitness, nutrition or athletic programs on their campuses. Since the beginning of the School Grant Program, 86 schools have received funding for projects as various as outdoor fitness trails, weight rooms, running tracks or even Sparks equipment.

For more information visit the Chargers website.