Fancy footwear
Armed with thousands of Under Armour cleats from a newly formed partnership, Cleats for Kids has been working non-stop since January to provide cleats to high schools around the state.
Putnam City Schools athletic director Dick Balenseifen marvels at the totals Cleats for Kids has provided the past few months.
The nonprofit organization supplied 950 pairs of Under Armour football cleats, which total more than $100,000 in value. Each of the three high schools will receive 150 pairs, while each of the five middle schools will receive around 100. Come August, each football player in Putnam City’s school system will be wearing Under Armour cleats for free. There is no financial burden on an athlete’s family, coaches or school. Just go play.
“We’re just grateful,” Balenseifen said. “It’s something that was definitely needed. When you start putting out 950 pairs of brand new cleats, that makes a difference.”
In a time where budgets are tight, Cleats for Kids is looking to step in and help school districts around the state fill the gap by providing cleats, girdles and other gear. Armed with thousands of Under Armour cleats from a newly formed partnership, Cleats for Kids has been working non-stop since January to provide cleats around the state to about 30 different school districts.
Oklahoma City Public Schools, Norman, MidDel, Choctaw, Tulsa Public Schools, Gore, Elgin and others have received cleats.
“As we’ve grown we have needed additional resources to be able to meet the needs of the athletes, especially at the high school level,” said Stacy Daniels, Cleats for Kids' executive director. “With the budget constraints that we have seen on sports, we just feel like no kid should have to say they can’t play sports because they can’t afford the equipment.”
McDaniel and her husband, Mark, founded Cleats for Kids in 2011. Since then, it’s been a huge boost for local athletes.
But this year it’s reached a new level due to its partnership with Under Armour, which has provided multiple semi-trucks full of cleats for the first time.
The program has had so much success that more cleats arrive next week, including additional cleats for baseball and softball. The organization is also receiving thousands of five-pad girdles - padded football pants - which are an expensive piece of equipment. Now, Cleats for Kids is searching for more programs to help.
“We really started this after the New Year and we’re hoping to hit as many as we can before spring camps and continue distribution before the season starts in August,” McDaniel said. “It’s jaw-dropping to us. The impact it’s making on the kids is mind boggling."
Putnam City was the first district to reach out for help. Balenseifen was introduced to McDaniel two years ago. He instantly believed the program could benefit kids and he wanted to make sure his kids were part of it. Now, they’ll be sporting new cleats.
That’s exactly what McDaniel is aiming to accomplish. She’s aware cleats don’t make an athlete, but they help.
“I think rebuilding football programs right now is so important in some of these schools,” McDaniel said. “A gift this size can change the face of football programs across the state and I know Dr. Balenseifen realized that. Just to be able to take advantage of that for these athletes is really incredible.”