Date: March 5, 2009
Courtesy of USA Football

USA Football, the sport’s national governing body on youth and amateur levels, recently selected LLOYD RODRIGUEZ of Brooklyn to attend the 2009 NFL Youth Summit in Canton, Ohio, from July 29-30.  Rodriguez is the president of New York City Pop Warner (NYCPW), which is comprised of approximately 800 youth football players throughout New York’s five boroughs.

Rodriguez was one of 30 local youth football leaders who attended USA Football’s New York State Leadership Forum at Giants Stadium on Feb. 21. He was randomly selected among Saturday’s forum participants to represent the New York metro area in Canton. USA Football’s New York State Forum is one of 38 meetings that the non-profit is holding across the country in 2009 to share best practices and foster positive football experiences for the game’s youngest players.  USA Football’s 2009 State Leadership Forum schedule will reach 1,000 league administrators in 25 states to impact approximately 20,000 coaches and 500,000 youngsters.

“I am excited to represent New York and Pop Warner.  I look forward to sharing some of the stories that I’ve faced, the difficulties as well as good things,” said Rodriguez, who is entering his second year as NYCPW president. “I’ve learned a lot in a short period but I know there’s still a lot to learn. If I can hear some stories from other coaches to make my league better, and give something back, that would be great.”

“Since 2006, dedicated volunteers who power youth football leagues have continued to enjoy sharing their knowledge and ideas at our state forums,” said USA Football Executive Director SCOTT HALLENBECK. “We’re pleased to have Lloyd contribute to this discussion on a national level at the NFL Youth Football Summit in Canton this summer, thanks to the support of the NFL and the NFL Players Association.”

The NFL Youth Summit, funded by the NFL and NFL Players Association, assembles approximately 200 youth and high school coaches from all 50 states and Washington, D.C., along with grassroots football leaders, including former NFL players now coaching at the high school level. Included in the two-day summit is a USA Football National Forum to further strengthen the sport, involving one delegate from all 38 USA Football State Forums.

Some discussion topics at NFL Youth Summit in Canton, Ohio, include:

1. Helping guide youth players’ character development
2. Inspiring youngsters to reach their potential as people and athletes
3. The NFL’s ATLAS & ATHENA Anti-Steroid Education Program
4. Player hydration & fitness
5. Role-playing demonstrations regarding coach-player-parent relationships

The NFL and the NFL Players Association have made a major commitment to invest in football’s future with the establishment of the NFL Youth Football Fund and other programs.

About USA Football:
USA Football, the sport’s national governing body on youth and amateur levels, hosts more than 100 football training events annually offering education for coaches and game officials, skill development for players and resources for youth football league commissioners.  The independent also non-profit manages U.S. national teams within the sport for international competitions and provides more than $1 million annually in equipment grants and youth league volunteer background check subsidies.  USA Football was started by the NFL and NFLPA in 2002 through the NFL Youth Football Fund and is chaired by former U.S. Congressman and professional quarterback Jack Kemp.