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Columbus, OH (Thursday, December 7, 2023) – This Friday, MLS and the Columbus Crew will be joining forces to give back to the local community ahead of this year’s MLS Cup presented by Audi. The 2023 MLS Cup Legacy Project will be highlighted by the unveiling of the first of five Stay in the Game! rooms designed to motivate and recognize students for consistent and improved school attendance at Starling PreK-8 School.
The event will include remarks from Jan Greenberg-Mirman, Vice President, MLS Community Impact, Renee Harvey, Vice President & Executive Director, Cleveland Browns Foundation, Dr. Angela Chapman, Superintendent, Columbus City Schools and Dr. Joan Bucy, Principal of Starling PreK-8 School with Crew alumni and MLS Greats Dante Washington and Frankie Hedjuk. The event takes place Friday, Dec. 8 at 9:30 a.m. ET.
The Stay in the Game! room is a creative and engaging space that features a multi-sensory environment that promotes opportunities for movement and relaxation. This room was designed for the specific needs of the students at the school, many who are dealing with high levels of trauma. BODYARMOR product will also be donated to support the school’s athletic program. The space will be more than just fun, it will also serve an important role in their social and emotional learning. This room is expected to benefit nearly 500 students annually who attend the school.
Since their debut in the inaugural season of MLS, the Columbus Crew has been committed to improving the quality of education for students in Ohio. The Stay in the Game! room at Starling PreK-8 is the first in a series planned across the five Columbus City Schools regions over the next season as part of the legacy from the League’s championship match.
Partnering with the largest school district in the state demonstrates the Crew’s long-term commitment to this cause. In their first year as a Stay in the Game! partner, Columbus City School District (CCS) decreased its chronic absenteeism rate by more than 7% (2022 v. 2023).
Recognizing that cold weather can be a significant barrier to school attendance, MLS and adidas have partnered to provide winter jackets to all Starling Spartan students. This donation addresses the challenge of weather-related absences in Ohio's cold climate, particularly students relying on public transit or walking to school.
Each Stay in the Game! room will be tailored to create a positive and motivational environment for students in each of the five Columbus City School regions.
2023 MLS Cup presented by Audi will see the Eastern Conference champion Columbus Crew host the Western Conference Champion Los Angeles Football Club at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio, this Saturday, Dec. 9 at 4 p.m. ET (MLS Season Pass/FOX/FOX Deportes/TSN/ RDS).
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