Date: March 16, 2009

(LANGHORNE, PA) – Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc., the nation’s largest and oldest youth football, cheer and dance organization announced today that Jonathan Kraft, President of The New England Patriots and The Kraft Group has joined the non-profit’s Board of Directors. 

Jonathan Kraft has been instrumental in building the New England Patriots into one of the NFL's most innovative and successful franchises that saw the New England Patriots crowned Super Bowl Champions in 2001, 2003 and 2004. 

In 1994, Jonathan Kraft helped finalize the deal and secure the financing that was needed for the Kraft family to purchase the team.  Kraft also developed the financing strategy that enabled the family to privately-finance the entire $325 million construction of Gillette Stadium keeping the New England Patriots in its Foxboro, MA home.

In addition to his responsibilities with the New England Patriots, Kraft has coached his son’s Pop Warner team since 2005.  As a concerned parent in 2005, he voiced opposition to a number of suburban programs outside of Boston that were planning to disband from Pop Warner by highlighting the unique benefits of Pop Warner and the organization’s commitment to creating a safe playing environment for all and its longstanding commitment to academics.

In 2006, Kraft was awarded Pop Warner’s highest national honor when he was presented with the Warner Award, named after Glenn S. “Pop” Warner at the organization’s annual All-American Scholar Banquet.

“We are proud to have Jonathan join our Board of Directors,” said Jon Butler, Executive Director of Pop Warner Little Scholars.  “Jonathan is an NFL Team executive who recognizes that growing the sport of football begins at the youth level. His commitment to the game and especially to Pop Warner in his role with the New England Patriots and as a concerned parent and coach will make him a valuable and trusted contributor to Pop Warner.”

About Pop Warner:
Founded in 1929 and headquartered in Langhorne, Pa. Pop Warner Little Scholars is the largest national youth football and cheerleading organization in the United States and the only youth sports organization that emphasizes academics as an equivalent to athletics.  Currently there are over 400,000 children in Pop Warner organizations in 43 states, Scotland, Germany, Russia, Japan and Mexico.  The NFLPA estimates that 70% of all current NFL Players got their starts in Pop Warner programs.  For more information on Pop Warner and its programs visit www.popwarner.com.