The DICK’S Foundation Sports Matter Grant

The Challenge

While Obama Academy is well known for football and basketball, other sports programs such as wrestling, track, and softball lacked the funding and resources needed to compete safely and effectively. Equipment was outdated or missing:

·       Wrestlers had equipment more than a decade old.

·       The track team lacked some basic training equipment.

·       The softball team had aging bats, no pitching machine, and lacked other gear.

These challenges left athletes at a disadvantage and discouraged new students from joining teams.

The Program

Purple Eagle’s student-led grant writing team took on the task of researching needs, pricing equipment, and writing a professional proposal to The DICK’S Foundation. This process gave students hands-on experience in fundraising, compliance, and social entrepreneurship.

Orli Trumbull, Class of 2026, served as the main Grant Writer for Purple Eagle. She coordinated the grant application, engaged directly with the Foundation, and ensured that the school’s needs were clearly communicated. The effort reflects Purple Eagle’s mission to empower students to lead while securing tangible benefits for their school.

Goals of the Program

·       Wrestling: Provide new singlets, safer, foldable crash pads, and grappling dummies to modernize training and reduce injuries.

·       Track: Supply new starting blocks, plyometric boxes, medicine balls, resistance bands, and other training equipment to strengthen practice despite not having a track on campus.

·       Softball: Equip the team with a pitching machine, bats, protective gear, and training tools to prepare new players and raise competitiveness.

The Result

Purple Eagle successfully secured a $15,000 Sports Matter grant from The DICK’S Foundation.

Beyond athletics, the grant empowered Purple Eagle students to gain professional grant writing, project management, and leadership experience.

“Now, every wrestler [will feel] like we belong on the mat.”
—Obama Academy Wrestler “

A pitching machine will help us get better because…we need to train new people.”
—Obama Academy Softball Player

The Result

Thanks to The DICK’S Foundation, three Obama Academy teams will soon have the resources they need to compete proudly and safely. The grant is more than an investment in sports—it’s an investment in youth leadership, school pride, and student potential.