SANTA CLARA—Pop Warner Little Scholars (PWLS) will issue the SF 49ers the Team of the Year Award at the 57th Annual Pop Warner All-American Scholastic Banquet on Saturday, May 27.
Founded in 1929, the Philadelphia-based non-profit organization sponsors a youth football, dance, and cheer program for children who maintain academic standards, which is among the criteria for participation.
A press release sent out on Tuesday, May 23 stated that the 49ers Foundation has been dedicated to supporting numerous Bay Area community relations projects and, for their approach to community engagement, they have been labeled as national leaders.
The team sponsors youth camps, a Coach of the Year Award, those for Players of the Week, as well as its partnership with USA Football. In addition to free youth football camps, they hold the Charlie Wedemeyer High School All-Star Football Game and annual Friday Night Lights High School Football double-header. Year after year, youth participation in the 49ers Youth Football Program (led by Jared Muela) has consistently increased by 18 percent.
Pop Warner Executive Director Jon Butler disclosed, “In our work with so many great partners across sports, the San Francisco 49ers stand tall with an unwavering commitment to supporting their community and youth football. We look forward to honoring the 49ers at our annual banquet, which is dedicated to recognizing exemplary student-athletes. Together, sports and academics are vital in developing our young people, and we appreciate the commitment the 49ers have shown in fostering those pursuits in so many young people.”
This year’s banquet will be held at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, where over 7,000 PWLS student athletes will be honored for educational achievements. These students have achieved a 96 percent average in school and attained the title of All-American Scholar. On average, the organization provides scholars with $100,000 in college scholarships annually.
