Chargers provide grant to build new weight room at Sweetwater High School

Dignitaries from Sweetwater High School and the San Diego Chargers gathered Tuesday morning in National City to cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the school’s new weight room.

The new facility replaces a former aging facility that, according to the school’s physical education staff, had not received any upgrades for 20 years.

“We tried our best to make things work, but it was hard,” explained Brian Hay, a teacher on campus and former Red Devil football coach. “A lot of people here have used this new facility over the past year. I think the Chargers are going to get some new fans.”

The new weight room is massive, even by accounts from Chargers personnel, and stocked with multiple-use weight benches and other exercise equipment.

Chargers President-Business Operations A.G. Spanos, head coach Mike McCoy and Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman were all on hand to participate in Tuesday’s unveiling.

Also present were National City Mayor Ron Morrison, several of his staff and city councilpersons.

Funds needed for the project were provided through a $63,000 grant from the Chargers Champions program.
According to the Chargers, the program provides greater financial support for San Diego-area schools than any other private company in San Diego County.

More than $5 million in Chargers Champions grants have been awarded to more than 100 area schools since 2000.
Along with construction and fitting of the weight room, the grant also helped with the purchase of much-needed football equipment.

“I wish I could be in high school (again),” Perryman explained with obvious envy. “Send this to my old high school.”
“We want kids to receive access to the best nutrition and fitness programs available, but schools can’t do it alone,” Spanos said. “They need support from the business community and we’re proud to be able to do our part through the Chargers Champions program.”

Chargers Champions is committed to improving physical fitness in San Diego County schools by providing grants for new facilities and equipment.

In 2015, seven San Diego County schools received grants to improve physical fitness, athletic or nutrition programs on school campuses, including a $65,000 grant to Granite Hills High School for a new weight room.

“The Chargers grant is a great contribution to the Sweetwater High School weight room,” Sweetwater High School Principal Maribel Gavin said. “We were able to purchase equipment that has enhanced the ability for students to practice a healthy lifestyle which also contributes to their academic growth. We believe students need to be fit and healthy in order to be able to make even bigger academic gains and the Charger grant has definitely helped Sweetwater High move in that direction.”

“This is the first step,” McCoy explained. “My weight room was one-tenth of this size when I was in high school. Some schools dream of having a place like this. It’s an honor to give high schools something like this.”

All the speakers delivered inspirational messages on how proper fitness and nutrition does indeed help create a healthy mind and body.

Several students asked Perryman what they needed to do to live a healthy lifestyle.

Perryman noted that proper hydration was a must, followed by a proper diet and exercise. But the key he said was not abandoning one’s goals.

“This is something you’ve got to do every day, stick to it and make sure it’s a part of your life,” he said. “This weight room will change some of your lives.”

Sweetwater athletic director Tim Latham said the new weight room will be available to all the school’s athletic teams as well as the general school population as part of an after school program.

Sweetwater football and roller hockey player Adrian Kercher was among the first to use the new facility during Tuesday’s ribbon cutting ceremony.

“This is a chance to lift in a clean and safe environment,” he said. “It makes us excited to have this in the middle of National City.”

McCoy also delivered some words that many in the football community have been waiting to hear since the team first announced its desire to seek greener pastures in the Los Angeles market. The NFL granted relocation privileges to the St. Louis Rams, with an option for the Chargers to become a partner in the Rams’ new Inglewood stadium.

In the meantime, the NFL has granted the Chargers an additional year to work out financing details for a proposed new stadium in downtown San Diego with city officials.

“We’re very fortunate to be in San Diego and look forward to being here a long time forward,” McCoy said.