ESPN Inaugurates Refurbished Softball Field in Chicago In Celebration of Title IX
June 24, 2022
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Title IX in the US, ESPN unveiled a newly refurbished softball field for the Lost Girls MVP Youth Softball program – part of Lost Boyz Inc., a Chicago-based sport for development non-profit. Sports teams, community leaders, residents and young people gathered in Rosenblum Park on Chicago’s South side last week for the inauguration of the site, dedicated to the local community. The event was hosted by Sarah Spain, co-host of ESPN Radio’s ‘Spain and Fitz’ show, which was also attended by members of the 2021 WNBA Champion, Chicago Sky and First Lady of Chicago, Amy Eshleman.
The project aligns with ESPN’s ‘Fifty/50 initiative’, which celebrates the passage of the landmark legislation on June 23, 1972 as part of the fight for gender equality. The series highlights the civil rights journey of women across the sports and cultural landscapes, with content and programming airing across The Walt Disney Company’s platforms. The site in Chicago will expressly offer safe facilities for girls from underrepresented communities to learn and play through sport.
“ESPN’s Fifty/50 initiative tells stories of women’s empowerment since the passing of Title IX. We are delighted to play a part in writing the next chapter of Title IX by working alongside organizations such as Lost Boyz Inc., RISE and love.fútbol, as we empower a new generation of girls by unlocking the benefits that sport can offer through refurbishing this field in Chicago’s Southside,” said Kevin Martinez, vice president of ESPN Corporate Citizenship.
The refurbished softball field will provide access to sport within a neighborhood where 40% of families with children live below the poverty level. It builds on the achievements of Title IX by supporting Lost Boyz Inc., which focuses on decreasing violence, improving social and emotional conditions and providing financial opportunities to youth from Chicago's most vulnerable communities.
Lost Boyz Inc. Founder, LaVont’e Stewart Sr. said, “Lost Boyz Inc. is elated to be a recipient of this opportunity from ESPN. It is even more significant being part of the celebration of 50 years of Title IX. It’s great to see this commitment to softball and Black girls. This is a true ode to the existence of Title IX legislation.”
The organization will use the refurbished field to deliver its Lost Girls MVP Youth Softball Program for girls from underrepresented communities in Chicago. By combining participation in softball with tutoring and civic engagement, the girls can experience positive social relationships and outcomes across many areas of their lives that enhance their individual interests, skills and abilities.
Project manager, love.fútbol, a global non-profit which engages communities to create their own sports space projects, led the transformation of the space. Drew Chafetz, Co-Founder and CEO, said, "We’ve built safe sports spaces around the world with ESPN, and are honored by the opportunity to bring this work to the US, to mark and commemorate the 50th anniversary of the passing of Title IX with our first softball pitch project in the City of Chicago. At love.fútbol, we utilize sport as a platform to advance gender equality and promote access to play for girls and boys in safe and inclusive environments while impacting the community."
RISE, a national non-profit that educates and empowers the sports community to eliminate racial discrimination, champion social justice and improve race relations, will partner with Lost Boyz Inc. to deliver its multi-week leadership program for girls and coaches. RISE programs build skills and create safe spaces in order to have difficult conversations and equip participants with the tools to be leaders in addressing racism, prejudice, diversity and inclusion.
Diahann Billings-Burford, CEO at RISE added, “RISE is always excited to partner with organizations that are creating more inclusion and equity. The opening of this new facility will advance the aims of Title IX and help create positive change for girls within the community. We look forward to working with Lost Boyz Inc. and helping them fulfil their mission by delivering programs to empower this same youth to be leaders for advancing racial equity, social justice and inclusivity.”