Enhancing Lives

On May 25, 2008, the Detroit Tigers Foundation presented 11 grants to 10 organizations totaling more than $160,000 during an on-field, pre-game ceremony.

Two of the 11 grants awarded established the following new initiatives: 1) Detroit Tigers Hometown Championship, a three-day youth baseball and softball tournament for 500 children ages 6-19, and 2) Tiny Tigers, a summer t-ball program for 400 children in Detroit.

Additionally, the grants allowed more than 350 children the opportunity to compete in a baseball skills competition at Comerica Park, while baseball and softball programs will be enhanced and/or fields improved in the cities of Detroit, Flint, Harper Woods, Novi, Royal Oak and Taylor.

Finally, over 90,000 Michigan area students receive a "Character of Champions" baseball poster and educational supplement to stress the importance of building character on and off the playing field.

The Detroit Tigers Foundation was established in 2005 to enhance lives through the game of baseball. With a focus on youth, education and recreation, the Foundation aids and develops initiatives that help promote the game of baseball.

The list of recipients includes:

• Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan (Detroit): $26,000
• City of Harper Woods Baseball Field Improvements (Harper Woods): $22,800
• Don Bosco Hall (Detroit): $10,000
• Eagle Sports Club #1 (Detroit): $20,000
• Eagle Sports Club #2 (Detroit): $15,000 (Challenge Grant)
• Flint Coalition for Youth (Flint): $5,500
• Franklin Road Christian School (Novi): $10,000
• Judson Center (Royal Oak): $4,745
• Michigan K.I.D.S., Inc. (Detroit): $7,500
• Taylor South Little League (Taylor): $20,000 (Challenge Grant)
• Youth Development Commission (Detroit): $20,800

The Detroit Tigers Foundation accepts formal grant requests each year between September 1 and December 20. More information about the grant application process »

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In 2005 when outfielder Magglio Ordoñez signed with the Tigers he and his family made a financial commitment to the Detroit community by investing in the Detroit Tigers Foundation. In 2008, that investment resulted in the establishment of the Ordoñez Family Scholarship, an annual scholarship awarded to a high school graduate from southwest Detroit.

Each year, through the generosity of the Ordoñez family and in partnership with the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, one scholarship of $2,500 will be awarded to an eligible high school graduate. This scholarship is renewable for up to four years, meaning each scholarship winner could receive up to $10,000 over his or her college career.

On July 12, the inaugural Ordoñez Family Scholarship was presented to Emma Aviles a 2008 graduate of Western International High School in Detroit. Emma graduated in the top 10 percent of her high school class and has received awards for overall academic excellence, excellence in mathematics and as a scholar athlete. Emma has been accepted to Madonna University and plans to pursue a program of study in criminal justice.

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During the 2007 holiday season, the Tigers hosted two special parties with children from the metro Detroit community. On Dec. 6, Tigers catcher Vance Wilson and his family hosted 33 teens selected through Big Families of Michigan, the Department of Human Services of Hamtramck, Families on the Move, Homes for Black Children and Lutheran Child and Family Services (Marlowe House for Girls) for a traditional holiday dinner in the Tiger Club at Comerica Park and a shopping spree at the Meijer store in Allen Park. The Wilsons, along with Tiger staff and mascot Paws joined the teens for the bus ride to Meijer and helped pick out gifts.

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On Dec. 20, Tigers pitcher Dontrelle Willis visited 66 boys at the Methodist Children's Home Society in Redford to deliver hundreds of holiday gifts he had personally purchased for them. After giving out gifts, "Santa" Willis sat with the boys opening boxes, playing with toys and signing baseballs.

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Tigers host baseball team from Bluffton University
On the morning of March 2, 2007, Bluffton University's baseball team was traveling from their home in Northwest Ohio heading to Florida for their highly anticipated spring trip to play baseball. They were making their way through Georgia when their bus unexpectedly swerved causing the bus to fall 30 feet off the highway overpass. The accident resulted in the death of five teammates, the bus driver and his wife. Several others were severely injured.

On Aug. 7, the Tigers hosted the Bluffton team at Comerica Park. James Grandey, the team's head coach, and Tim Berta, the team's student coach, who were both badly injured in the accident, joined the team at Comerica Park. The Bluffton players had the opportunity to watch the Tigers take batting practice from the field. Afterwards, the Tigers players, coaches, and manager Jim Leyland came over to express their condolences and exchange words of encouragement while signing autographs and posing for pictures. In addition to the special visit, the Detroit Tigers Foundation awarded a $1,000 grant to support of the school's memorial fund.

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Casey family joins Detroit Tigers Foundation in Norm Hott Field ground breaking

Sean and Mandi Casey joined the Detroit Tigers Foundation and the Clinton Valley Little League for a ground breaking ceremony of Norm Hott Field. However, for Sean and Mandi it was more than just a field dedication, it was a way for them to personally give back to the community that has been so welcoming and gracious to their family. The Caseys donated $10,000 to the renovation of the Norm Hott Field which was matched by a grant from the Detroit Tigers Foundation. The Caseys' generosity will be memorialized in the name of the field. Norm Hott was Mandi's grandfather and an avid baseball fan who recognized the importance of allowing all children the opportunity to play the game he loved.

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2007 Willie Horton Scholarship Awarded to Alonzo King
The 2007 Willie Horton Scholarship was awarded to Alonzo King. Alonzo, the 2007 senior class president at Northwestern High School, was a member of the Honor Roll, the National Honor Society and the National Achiever's Society. Alonzo graduated with a 3.57 grade point average and was ranked 8th in a class of 230 classmates.

The Willie Horton Scholarship was established in 2001 in honor of Horton's accomplishments and contributions to the City of Detroit. It is awarded each year to a graduating senior from Northwestern High School in Detroit, Horton's alma mater.


The scholarship winner must embody qualities such as the pursuit of higher education, leadership, and community service. Throughout high school Alonzo volunteered his time with many organizations and events including the Focus Hope walk, the Black United Fund dinner and the Red Cross blanket drive. Alonzo plans to attend Eastern Michigan University this fall and will major in computer engineering.

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Livius Paoli Memorial Field Dedication
On Saturday, July 28, 2007 the Detroit Tigers Foundation joined the Livius Paoli Foundation and St. Scholastica Dad's Club in dedicating the Livius Paoli Memorial Field on the northwest side of Detroit. The renovation of the Memorial Field, which is comprised of three youth baseball diamonds, was made possible by a grant of $10,000 by the Detroit Tigers Foundation. Community members and supporters came out to enjoy the ceremony and sign unveiling. Following the dedication All-Star players from the nearby Rosedale Grandmont Little League took the field for a showcase All-Star Game.

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University Prep High School: Fantasy Baseball and Detroit Tigers Foundation
The Detroit Tigers Foundation enhanced the lives of students at Detroit's University Prep High School by helping to send them to a national math competition at the National Baseball Hall of Fame this summer.

After working hard throughout the school year on a Baseball Math Unit, which used baseball statistics to learn real world math, the students earned the right to travel to Cooperstown, N.Y., to compete at the national level against students from across the country. The University Prep ninth grade students were competitive throughout the event, earning an invitation to return next summer.

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2006 Willie Horton Scholarship Awarded to Adrienne Carter
In 2001, in honor of Willie Horton‘s accomplishments and contributions to the city of Detroit, the Detroit Tigers established the Willie Horton scholarship. This scholarship is awarded each year to a graduating senior from Northwestern High School in Detroit, Horton's alma mater.

The scholarship winner must embody qualities such as the pursuit of higher education, leadership, and community service. The Willie Horton scholarship is funded by the Detroit Tigers Foundation and administered by the Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan.

This year's recipient, Adrienne Carter graduated with a 3.9 grade point average and was Northwestern High School's class valedictorian. While in school, Adrienne held leadership positions in National Honors Society, Varsity Cheerleading and the school yearbook. Adrienne was honored for her top business grades at Northwestern High School and was featured as one of WXYZ Channel 7's “The Brightest and the Best” in her senior year.

Adrienne is an active volunteer at St. Leo's Soup Kitchen and with Habitat for Humanity. She served as a co-op student at Northwestern High School and worked as an intern as Compuware.

Adrienne plans to attend Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama this fall and will major in accounting.

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Purple Rose Theater: Honus & Me & The Detroit Tigers Foundation
The Detroit Tigers Foundation enhanced the lives of Spain Middle School students this summer by picking up the transportation costs for a trip to the Purple Rose Theatre. The students saw the award-winning play "Honus & Me", the story of a child who's transported to the 1909 World Series between the Detroit Tigers and Honus Wagner's Pittsburgh Pirates.

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Tigers Foundation Baseball Equipment Donations
In 2006 the Detroit Tigers Foundation donated new and gently used baseball equipment to two deserving high school baseball teams. In March, Harper Woods High School had its baseball equipment stolen. The school's ability to play their season was in doubt. Thanks to the donation from the Tigers, the Pioneers started their season on time. Another school, Denby Technical and Preparatory High School in Detroit was in need of equipment to compete with other area schools. With a donation of caps, balls, catchers gear, baseball gloves and batting helmets, the team took the field looking like pros!