The Legends of Scott Park, in partnership with the Inner City Athletic Association, held a free ‘Family Funday and Youth Football Camp,’ at Scott Park. This community event celebrated the legacy and generational talent of Scott Park; a Jacksonville landmark that has helped shape the lives of countless youth, athletes, professionals, and community leaders.
The day featured football drills for youth ages 4–14, a basketball tournament, bounce houses, live music from a DJ, free food and drinks, cotton candy, and much more. Attendees also had the opportunity to participate in a meet-and-greet with the former athletes who played at the park, to learn more about their life stories and professional career success.
Honorees at this year’s event include: Don Gaffney (First Black quarterback at the University of Florida); Jabar Gaffney (Super Bowl Champion); Lito Sheppard (Super Bowl Champion), Terry LeCount (Second Black QB at UF, former NFL player); Greg Coleman (First Black punter in the NFL); Leonard Simmons (NSA Hall of Fame inductee Next Page Inner City Athletic Association Inc); Yogi Byrd (Former MLB player, Chicago White Sox); Richard Tyson (Senior Executive at AT&T); Charles Williams (former NFL player); Vaughn McLaughlin (Pastor, Potter’s House International Ministries). The Inner City Athletic Association seeks to reinforce a sense of pride, community, and continuity between past and present. The Association remains committed to supporting youth development programs, athletic training, and mentorship opportunities that enrich lives both on and off the field.
“I feel that the history the children will learn will give them hope knowing you don’t have to be a product of your environment ant that greatness comes from within the person not the area you grow up in,” said Inner City Athletics President Meltonia Wright. “All the volunteers that help mentor our children at our association give hope that they can be what they want to be and this is proof that they can.”
Many of the awardees and attendees grew up near Scott Park and played together as youth following their National Football League (NFL) career dreams. Scott Park is in northwest Jacksonville, 32209 zip code, on the grounds of the George Washington Carver Elementary School that was built in 1958. By 1965, the park had been named for Dr. John I. E. Scott (1901-1981), a Negro educator and author, who was also the first publisher of the Negro Educational Review.