LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The owners of two NFL teams with ties to the same all-boys Arkansas parochial school announced Thursday they and an anonymous donor had pledged nearly $10 million to a school fundraising campaign that will pay for modernized classrooms, an updated athletic field and air conditioning.
"This capital campaign will help ensure that the same quality education and experience I received will be passed down to more generations to come,Patriots Jersey Super Bowl 53," said York, co-chairman and owner of the 49ers. "Just being a part of the Catholic High history and tradition is an honor."
"No other high school in the country can say that,Atlanta Falcons Wholesale Jerseys," Straessle said in an interview before Jones' scheduled announcement to the school's juniors and seniors. "We not only infuse boys with a great love of sports, but we also imbue them with the creativity and the drive to not only become athletes but to become team owners."
The installation of air conditioners does come with a cost to students. Currently,http://www.authenticjerseysnfl.us.com/Authentic-Nike-Baltimore-Ravens-Football-Jerseys/, if the weather is hot and humid,Cheap Nike Shoes China, classes are dismissed at 1:36 p.m. and students can attend without wearing ties. "As the building is fully-conditioned,Discount NFL Jerseys, we'll lose the reason for getting out early and not wearing ties," Straessle said.
York recently visited the campus and met with students.
"He was a mentor to my sons and also to me, and his commitment to educating and disciplining young men had a wonderful impact on several generations," said Jones,Discount Nike Shoes Online, an Arkansas native. "His primary goals were always to build a better school while also building outstanding young men, and his legacy will be felt for as long as young men pass through these halls and feel his spirit."
Catholic High's campus was built in 1960. The school recently added an artificial turf sports field and all-weather track and updated its cafeteria and gymnasium. It will be fitted for air conditioning to help its computer equipment last longer, Straessle said.
Jones said his family's gift was a way to honor Monsignor George Tribou, a longtime principal who died in 2001.
The money is from the Gene and Jerry Jones Family Charities of Dallas and Denise and John York of San Francisco, along with the anonymous donor. Both the Jones and York families had made previous donations to the school.
Principal Steve Straessle, who graduated with Jerry Jones Jr., said it's unusual for a school to have ties to two NFL team owners.
San Francisco 49ers owner John York graduated from Little Rock's Catholic High School in 1967, and the sons of Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, Stephen and Jerry Jr., graduated in 1983 and 1988. Jones' son-in-law Shy Anderson graduated from Catholic High in 1981.