The Police Athletic League of Tampa (PAL) is a not-for-profit 501(C) (3) charitable organization that provides after-school, summer and athletic programs to children in the Tampa Bay Area.  Through its partnerships with the City of Tampa Police Department, PAL has created a unique, healthy and safe environment for all to enjoy.  In addition, PAL promotes crime prevention activities, co-ed athletic league play, as well as other outreach programs to enhance the development of all who participate.

The demographics of the youth who attend PAL are quite diverse in both financial and ethnic backgrounds.  Typically, our youth come from low to moderate-income levels and/or a single parent family structure.  Occasionally, we are called upon to assist families in financial crisis … PAL has proudly provided funding to help with basic needs such as clothing, school supplies and medical care.  PAL provides a quality after-school program, including transportation from schools and free extended hours during school vacations.  This enables the single parent to remain on the job knowing that their child is in a safe, nurturing and well supervised program.

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P.A.L. makes improvements to help kids: MyFoxTAMPABAY.com

TAMPA – The Police Athletic League of Tampa is one of the oldest after-school programs aimed at keeping kids out of trouble, and it’s recently undergone through some much needed changes.

“This was our old football field and this is exactly what are grass looked like,” P.A.L. Athletic Director Josh Penny told FOX 13′s Alcides Segui as they toured the recreational fields.

Just a couple of months ago, brown grass littered the fields at the park. But that’s not the case anymore.

Through private donations and city grants, the park has gone through a $600,000 renovation. New sod, a concession stand and more fields are part of the upgrade.

“When we were able to restore it we had a full regulation football field, full regulation soccer field. Two youths’ soccer fields,” Penney said.

And that’s not all. The group is hoping to build a little league baseball facility by next spring.

P.A.L. provides a safe after-school option for approximately 100 children.

The more than 40-year-old facility has seen tens of thousands of kids walk through its doors. The latest generation was left with a beat up park.

“It was hard because you would like start playing and our cleats would slip into the dirt and you would get stuck. Because our cleats would dig into the dirt and you would trip,” said Sara Kenny, one of many children in the program.

The lush green is also bringing in a different type of green, money. P.A.L. is renting the fields to the public.

“We wanted these fields to be a source of income to be able to keep our prices at the same,” Penney said.

The extra income helps maintain low prices on after-school care

On Nov 10, 2009 at 9:30am, the Tampa Police Athletic League (PAL), located at 1924 W. Diana St., Tampa will re-dedicate the newly modernized athletic fields to it’s original founder, Mr. Larry Siegel. Mr. Siegel founded PAL in 1956 and continues to be an active member of its’ Board of Directors. Mr. Siegel and the current PAL administration believe when children are actively involved in organized sports, their chance of committing juvenile crime is greatly reduced.

The Police Athletic League of Tampa has been providing affordable after school care, summer camps, and athletic programs to the youth of the Tampa Bay community for 53 years. PAL is proud to announce the completion of a 3-year project that includes new athletic fields and a modern, 2-story concession stand. These enhancements to the athletic complex will enable PAL to increase its’ capacity so more Tampa Bay youth can participate in affordable, organized, and supervised sports programs. PAL also plans to offer the use of the fields to other youth organizations due to playing field shortages in the City of Tampa.

This dream became reality through determination and support from many sources. PAL thanks the City of Tampa Police Department, City of Tampa Parks and Recreation Department, Housing and Community Development, FEMA, and Legacy Construction Services.

Attendees to this dedication include Chief Jane Castor and Staff , Tampa Police Dept., Mr. Charlie Miranda, Tampa City Councilman, Mr. Mark Ober, Hillsborough County State Attorney, Stuart Campbell, Planning Supervisor, as well as many other supporters of the Police Athletic League.

Former NHL player Brian Bradley taught a group of 65 kids how to use their new street hockey sticks and balls.

A game of street hockey anyone?

Thanks to the Tampa Bay Lightning the kids at the Police Athletic League (PAL) are ready to take on an off-ice challenge. The professional hockey team donated two complete sets of street hockey equipment to the league as part of its “Street Lightning” community outreach initiative. Former Lightning player Brian Bradley spent an hour coaching the kids on how to use their new gear. He also shared his life experiences as a pro athlete with the kids and encouraged them to stay in school.

A month earlier, PAL youth had yet another celebration when the league unveiled its new state of the art sports complex. The three-year project included two upgraded youth soccer fields, a football field and a modernized concession stand equipped with a full kitchen. The new expansion allows PAL mentors to give more kids the opportunity to learn how good sportsmanship and academics can keep them out of trouble on and off the field. The league offers organized programs year-round and will start accepting applications for its upcoming summer camp in April 2010.

For more information on the programs at PAL contact (813) 876-9363.

It is withgreat sadness that I let you know that Officer “Coach” Randy Davis passed away at approximately 5:30 pm Monday, January 4th. He died at his home surrounded by friends and family.

Coach Randy worked several summers at PAL and last summer he was assigned full time to our program. Coach Randy in a very short time made a major impact within PAL and quickly became loved and respected by all. There wasn’t a week that passed that he didn’t express how luckily he was to be assigned to PAL. Coach Randy had fallen in love with the PAL Program and the children we serve.

Coach Randy may have passed on; but his accomplishments, devotion, love of children and memory will always be present at PAL.