The St. Louis Gateway Classic Sports Foundation has decided to take a break from hosting its annual football game in 2012 to concentrate on its scholarship program and prepare for a 20-year anniversary Gateway Football Classic game in 2013.
“Our mission remains unchanged, to continue to support our community by way of scholarships and community development,” said Rich Gray, President and CEO of the St. Louis Gateway Classic Sports Foundation.
“Our number one priority is our commitment to the education of our youth through educational scholarships.
For the 2011-2012 academic year, the foundation issued $116,000 in scholarship payments for eight existing college students’ tuition and will add three additional students in the fall of 2012.
In addition, the foundation is now accepting applications for two new scholarship recipients for the Earl Wilson, Jr. Mister & Miss Gateway Classic Scholarship program, awarding two additional $40,000 scholarships for 2013.
Since 1994, the foundation’s Scholarship Fund has provided $2.9 million to more than 100 students to attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Gray said the foundation will take the next 18 months to prepare for the its 20-year anniversary and the 2013 Gateway Football Classic Weekend.
Gray said, “The Gateway Football Classic has been aSt. Louistradition and we are also committed to continuing and strengthening that tradition by securing the right grid-iron matchups, developing the ‘tailgate experience,’ producing a game day production and fan experience that rivals the professional teams.”
For additional information, please contact Trina Claggett at 314-621-1994 x211 or visit www.gatewayclassic.org.