CHAMPRO Expands Opportunity with Teamwork Grant Program, Summer Recipients Announced

BANNOCKBURN, ILLINOIS (August 19, 2026) — This summer, CHAMPRO expanded opportunities for eight new recipients of its Teamwork Grant Program, which provides support to youth sports organizations that might otherwise lack sufficient funding. The youth organizations chosen are:

• Pride Athletics Inc. in Jackson, Tennessee
• Champlain Valley Little League in Shelburne, Vermont 
• Chickamauga Recreation Association INC in Chickamauga, Georgia
• Nooksack Youth Football in Nooksack, Washington
• Gillespie JFL Mustangs in Gillespie, Illinois
• Beech Grove Girls Softball Affiliation in Beech Grove, Indiana
• Mason Recreation Foundation in Mason, West Virginia
• Washington Park Little League in Jersey City, New Jersey

For Texas Terminators softball coach Chris Lattier, the only way his team can continue the game they love is if they rally resources and sponsors. When funds are short, however, the father of three chips in from his own pocket. Earlier this year, he received a CHAMPRO Teamwork Grant and that made the difference of allowing a star player to keep going. 

“She’s the best example of being a leader of our team and is the best example of a role model for the other kids,” Lattier said. “She wouldn’t be able to have this experience if it weren’t for the Teamwork Grant. And it created a huge cushion for me to continue the organization.” 

“As we celebrate 40 years in business, CHAMPRO remains committed to supporting the youth sports organizations that help kids discover a love of the game and learn the value of teamwork, leadership and good sportsmanship,” said Bill Hunt, founder and CEO of CHAMPRO.

Lattier, who has two daughters that play for the Texas Terminators, said he didn’t want anyone to stop playing just because they couldn’t afford it — and he received the Teamwork Grant at the perfect time. “Without it, we might have had to stop,” he said.

The grant spurred enough progress for Lattier to add another team to the Texas Terminators organization — one coached by MLB All-Star Trevor Rosenthal. “It makes me happy to see that we’re growing, but the mission remains the same: providing kids with quality coaching and expanding a program that emphasizes not only athletic development, but growth as people,” Lattier said. 

The Texas Terminators’ story is just one of many behind CHAMPRO’s purpose. “We’re honored to play a part in helping the next generation of players grow and succeed, while supporting the coaches, families and communities who cheer them on every day,” Hunt said. “‘Our Team Builds Yours’ isn’t just our slogan, but also our mission.” 

Applications for the next round of Teamwork Grant recipients will open November 16. To be the first to know when applications are live, follow CHAMPRO on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. 

CHAMPRO is a member and supporter of NSGA. Founder and CEO Bill Hunt is a member of the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame.