Renovated Weight Room Opens in Inglewood as Legacy of 2023 CFP National Championship
Play Equity Fund A Partner In The Champions Educate Here Program
LOS ANGELES – The weight room at Caroline Coleman Field has been completely rebuilt and fitted with state-of-the-art equipment as a legacy infrastructure project of the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship. The weight room was unveiled in a ribbon-cutting ceremony that included student athletes from three high schools in the Inglewood Unified School District (IUSD) that will use the facility – Inglewood High School, Morningside High School and City Honors International Preparatory High School.
Refurbishing the weight room at Coleman Field was an initiative of the “Champions Educate Here” Legacy Program of the CFP National Championship, which was Jan. 9 at SoFi Stadium. The program positively impacted thousands of children across LA County with expanded access to play and enhanced learning resources. It included 46 teachers receiving grants of up to $20,000 who utilize play and movement to accelerate student recovery from the pandemic.
As major components of the “Champions Educate Here” Legacy Program, the College Football Playoff Foundation, the Los Angeles College Football Playoff National Championship Host Committee, the Play Equity Fund and the LA84 Foundation planned a wide range of public service initiatives aimed at boosting the efforts of local educators from the classroom to the playground – and beyond.
“Community investment through major sporting events like the College Football Playoff National Championship is play equity in action,” said Renata Simril, President & CEO of the LA84 Foundation, and President of the Play Equity Fund. “We want this weight room at Coleman Field to be remembered as a celebration of this community, and to recognize the tremendous accomplishments in Inglewood schools. This weight room will help student-athletes continue the proud athletic history of Inglewood, and it gives young people more resources to get stronger, healthier and to succeed in the classroom.”
IUSD County Administrator Dr. James Morris and IUSD Board President Brandon Myers hosted the ribbon cutting.
“As the proud County Administrator for the Inglewood Unified School District, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our core sponsors for their pivotal role in leveling the playing field and allowing our students unparalleled access to a state-of-the-art weight room facility,” said Dr. Morris. “It is an investment that not only enhances their well-being and athleticism, but also underscores our shared commitment to fostering excellence in education.”
The facility includes over five tons of new weights and fitness equipment, new mirrors, as well as a wall-length mural of iconic Inglewood landmarks created by local artist and IUSD alumna Selena Najar. The artwork is titled “Champions at Play.”
“The Coleman Field weight room project embodies the commitment from major events like the College Football Playoff National Championship to improve the lives of Angelenos in a tangible way,” said Jim Rishwain, Chairman of the Los Angeles College Football Playoff National Championship Host Committee. “We’re proud that this legacy infrastructure project will benefit student athletes from the Inglewood Unified School District (IUSD) for years to come.”
The Los Angeles College Football Playoff National Championship Host Committee is led by the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission (LASEC), the nonprofit organization designated to attract, secure, and support high-profile sports and entertainment events to create positive economic, cultural, and social impact for the Los Angeles region.
In addition to the weight room, an eSports Lab with 20 computers was installed at Morningside High School earlier this year, and the “Champions Educate Here” program provided support for educators in school districts across the Los Angeles region.
Several local elected officials, including Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts, Jr., attended the weight room’s ribbon cutting. The high school band, dance team and cheerleaders led the unveiling celebration, and prominent alumni who were student athletes from all three high schools also attended the event.