MEDIA RELEASE
Contact: Marc Mills
44 Portuguese Bend Road
Rolling Hills, CA 90274
Phone: 310-377-8877
E-Mail: bluffcove1@cox.net, mmills@pacrimcap.com

November 14, 2005
FOR IMMEDATE RELEASE

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA YOUTH FOOTBALL PROGRAM TO HOST NEW ORLEANS AREA TEAM IN WAKE OF HURRICANE KATRINA

(PALOS VERDES PENINSULA, CA) – A Los Angeles area youth football team felt compelled to do something in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina; but it didn’t quite know how it could help. The team, the Palos Verdes “49ers”, decided it could encourage fellow 10 to 12-year olds boys from the New Orleans area by inviting them to Southern California to play a game of football and to enjoy Thanksgiving Day together.
The 49ers will host the “Eagles” from Pearl River, Louisiana (a few miles North of Lake Ponchatrain) in the 1st Annual Palos Verdes Scholastic Exchange Bowl on Thanksgiving Day, 1:00 pm, at Peninsula High School in Rolling Hills Estates, CA. At halftime, Pete Carroll, Head Coach of USC Football, will speak. A $10 donation per ticket can be purchased in advance or at the door. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to the American Youth Football Association, Pearl River Chapter, to help rebuild their football program. Peninsula youth football players in jerseys and cheerleaders in uniform will be admitted free to the Bowl.
All of the 19 Eagles players are visiting California for the first-time, and will be hosted in the homes of the 49er players. Festivities will include a reception upon their arrival on Wednesday evening; the game on Thanksgiving Day, followed by a dinner for players and parents; and a day of amusement parks and sightseeing on Friday.
The head coach of the Pearl River Eagles is Virgil Phillips. Assistant coaches are Leon Dejean, David Comeaux, Skip Phillips and Eddie Smith. In the days following Hurricane Katrina, it looked as if Youth Football would be canceled in the New Orleans area. However, these coaches along with dedicated parents committed themselves to seeing that the games would go on. Commented Eagles’ Team Mom Jo Anne Comeaux, “These boys had lost enough, we couldn’t let them lose football, too.”
Parents and friends of the 49ers have been seeking donations from various organizations to assist the Pearl River football program, as well as fund the various events during the Eagles three-day stay in Los Angeles. Several local [Peninsula] community businesses are lending support.
The head coach of the Palos Verdes 49ers is Marc Mills. In 2004, the 49ers won the American Youth Football Pacific Coast Conference Championship for their age group. In 2005, the team compiled an undefeated record of 8-0, before ending their season on November 12th with a loss in the playoff semi-finals. The team consists of 26 players and four assistant coaches.
[Peninsula businesses have generously provided services, supplies, and monies. Others interested in making a difference can send donations directly to PV Youth Football and Cheer at 44 Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling Hills, CA 90274 and indicate "KATRINA".]
Photos available upon request.
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