PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Suitland High School
“Home of the Rams”
5200 Suitland Road
Suitland, Maryland 20772
Telephone 301-817-0500 ~ Fax 301-817-0515
http://www1.pgcps.org/suitlandhs
(Date)
(Sponsor Name)
(Address)
(City), (State, Zip)
Dear
My name is Ed Shields. I am the Head Football Coach at Suitland High School, located in Suitland MD. As a
coach and mentor for the Prince George’s County Public School system, I am truly concerned for the future of
our athletic programs and our youth. The Suitland High School Football Program has been a pillar within the
community for decades, and we are committed, year round, to providing our student-athletes with stellar
academic support, avenues for serving the community and a intense physical training regimen. These services
and many more are provided at no cost to the participant. We currently have over 40 student-athletes
attending universities across the country, and many more attending as registered students. We are in need of
your support to continue this tradition of excellence and to preserve our program.
Athletics in the Prince George’s County Public School System is facing a tremendous crossroad. The road we
have to travel is minimizing operating cost while increasing student participation. However, minimizing one
will compromise the other. During these tough economic times, the county is unable to absorb the operating
costs for these programs to continue. We are in the second year of the adopted policy of the “Pay to Play
Rule.” Parents are required to pay a one time fee of $50, each school year, in order for their student to
participate in a sports program. Our goal is to offset this cost as several of our students are having a difficult
time obtaining the $50.00. Last year there were seven Prince George’s County high schools without a junior
varsity program, and two varsity programs on the verge of collapse. To some, a $50 fee may not be much of an
obstacle; but to others it can be downright impossible. Another major hurdle that we face is the cost of
replacing outdated helmets. Everyone from the NFL to Pop Warner Football is concerned with concussions
and other head related injuries. In a nationwide effort to reduce such injuries, a safety law will mandate,
beginning January 2012, that all helmets will have a maximum shelf life of ten years. Helmet cost is between
$240.00 and $270.00 each. We are estimated to lose 60 or more helmets for the 2012-13 school year. This is
more than a $10,000 commitment that will cover the cost for just 40% of our helmet inventory. This is a top
priority commitment for all football programs across the country.
In return for your valuable sponsorship, your company will have a banner displayed during every home game
throughout the season. We plan to print the logos of those sponsored companies in our team program that
will be sold at every home game. Sponsors will also be invited to attend our home games at no cost, up to (4)
tickets. If you would like to make a contribution to our program for the 2012-13 school year, please fill out
the sponsor sheet attached with this letter. I am requesting that the sponsorship letter be returned by July 1,
2012, along with the donation in the name of Suitland High School Football; attention: George McClure,
Athletic Director.
I want to thank you in advance and express my sincere gratitude for considering this proposal. It is time for us
to get in the game! We can no longer stand on the sidelines and allow this great service to wither away. You
can contact us on (301) 641-3600 or email us on [email protected] to know more about the sponsorship
or our program.
Respectfully,
Edward Shields
Head Football Coach
Suitland High School