Date: June 23, 2008

Boston Bengals Pop Warner President Myron Stovell was recently honored by Good Sports with its annual Good Sport in the Community Award, presented at their 5th annual Good Sports fundraiser, a spirited evening celebration that helps ensure disadvantaged kids have the opportunity to participate in sports and fitness programs.

Stovell is a coach for the Boston Bengals, a Pop Warner football team based in Boston, Mass., and also serves as the president of Boston Bengals Pop Warner, Inc. The Bengals organization is composed of five youth football teams for players ages 7-15.

Last fall, Stovell, or "Coach Sto," fell victim to a violent act when he was shot in the leg (by a resident) while conducting a practice with his team in Roxbury, Mass. Stovell recovered from the gunshot and was right back at a Bengals meeting the following Monday night.

Police Commissioner Edward F. Davis addressed the crime by describing Stovell as a "role model in our neighborhoods" while Bengal's events coordinator Jenn Reed stated "He's great, he's wonderful, he's been doing this over 15 years. He helps all the other coaches help develop the kids."

In 2005, Stovell defended the city's reputation against violence when suburban teams wanted to break up the league to avoid playing teams from Boston, citing a fear of shootings in the city. At the time, Stovell told the Bay State Banner newspaper that there had never been an act of violence in his years of involvement.

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About Good Sports:

Good Sports mission is to increase youth participation in sports, fitness, and recreational programs by targeting one of major obstacles limiting participation-access to sports equipment. Good Sports distributes sports equipment, footwear, and apparel to community organizations offering programs to disadvantaged youth helping to lay the foundation for healthy, active lifestyles. To accomplish this, Good Sports partners with sporting goods manufacturers to ensure that disadvantaged youth are getting the equipment they need to participate.

www.goodsports.org