Nike awards grant to launch new Concordia University Athlete Corps

The $5,000 grant will lay the foundation for CU’s student-athlete mentorship program

Concordia University received a $5,000 grant from Nike to help launch CU Athlete Corps, a new student-athlete mentorship program for at-risk students in Portland Public Schools. Athlete Corps will be part of Concordia's Champions of Character program, an educational outreach initiative that emphasizes character and integrity

Each year, the Concordia University community contributes more than 223,000 service hours in the community through practicum, internships and service learning projects. These programs serve an estimated 10,000 people, including 5,000 youth.

"In Concordia's tradition of community service, the CU Athlete Corps will provide after-school enrichment courses for students in four local schools, including Faubion Elementary, Vernon Elementary, King Elementary, and Harvey Scott Elementary," said Scott Ferguson, assistant director of Service Leadership for Concordia University.

Concordia University was selected as one of 225 recipients from among more than 1,000 applicants for the Nike grant. In addition, Nike will contribute $5 to the CU Athlete Corps for every "Give Nike Give Change" gift card sold at the Nike Factory Store on N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Concordia University is also raising funds for a new state-of-the-art athletic complex, and construction slated to begin later this year. The new complex will include first-class facilities for soccer and baseball, improved training resources and team rooms, and other amenities to allow for year-round use. The athletic complex will enrich the experience for Cavalier players and fans, and serve the community through tournaments, clinics, camps and local community sports programs.

This event was posted by dthomas@cu-portland.edu.