DECATUR -- The Decatur Athletic Department and Decatur Middle School received a bit of good news in the form of a check for $12,000. The school received a letter March 29 from the Justin J. Watt Foundation, located in Pewaukee, Wis., informing the school that its grant application was approved.
The $12,000 grant will be used to buy new uniforms for the middle school football, basketball, track and volleyball teams.
Jessi Castagna, one of Decatur's volleyball coaches, spearheaded the effort to get the grant. With the assistance of athletic director John Unger, Castagna wanted to improve the image of the seventh grade and junior high teams while raising their self-esteem.
"With this grant we will be be able to provide uniforms for all of our student athletes from grades 7-12 instead of just focusing on the 9-12 athletes," Unger said. "We are grateful for JJ Watt and his generosity, and the JJ Watt Foundation for choosing our school."
JJ Watt grew up in the small Wisconsin town of Pewaukee. Through hard work and perseverance, Watt worked his way through a small-town high school football program and eventually into the National Football League. In 2011 he was the number 11 overall pick and was drafted by the Houston Texans. The next year Watts won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. "Dream Big, Work Hard" was the motto Watt has lived by his entire life. His many friends and family helped Watt achieve his dream and he never forgot the love and support they all showed for this small-town boy.
The JJ Watt Foundation was started in 2010 as a way to give back to the community. Watt wanted young athletes to have the same opportunities he had while growing up. The grants provided by the JJ Watt Foundation enable junior high student-athletes (7-9) to purchase new uniforms and other sports equipment for programs that would otherwise do without.
"I can't thank coach Castagna enough for her work on this grant, and we hope this is the first of many grants that can help our student-athletes," Unger said.
Sports on 04/13/2016