FAIRFIELD COUNTY SPORTS COMMISSION
The Fairfield County Sports Commission, which celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2019, is a 501c (3) non-profit, educational organization dedicated to promoting youth fitness and an active, healthy lifestyle, as well as personal development through sports.
The Commission, which is an all-volunteer organization except for the executive director position, is the one-stop resource for the sports communities in the county. The focus of the Commission is creating and supporting programs for fitness awareness education in the 16 communities it serves. Giving time, effort and money back to its county residents and partners is FCSC’s primary mission and role.
Since 2008, the Commission has supported more than 30 county youth organizations and programs with financial support. The current primary beneficiaries are the Cardinal Shehan Center in Bridgeport, Carver Center in Norwalk and the Stamford Youth Foundation. FCSC has donated over $200,000 to local charities that focus on the healthy body/healthy mind equation for our children.
The Sports Commission’s major initiative is its Chelsea Cohen Fitness Academy, which acts as an umbrella organization to supplement and complement existing fitness programs, as well as provide area youth year-round access to the best available trainers, coaches, dietitians and health and wellness experts. The academy, which is housed at the Carver Center, is designed to be the rallying point to engage all important community stakeholders in children’s health, nutrition and in the fight to combat childhood obesity. Also to take that information and extend its reach throughout the entire area via the Sports Commission’s website (www.fairfieldcountysports.com).
For over seven years, the Commission funded Stamford Health’s KIDS’ FANS nutrition and wellness program in a collaborative effort with middle and elementary schools in Stamford and Norwalk.
FCSC also has conducted numerous educational panels in conjunction with area organizations on topics including injury prevention, steroid use, sports gambling and the college athletic scholarship process. With local representatives in the 16 communities it oversees, they provide the Commission with a direct connection to each town. Its board is comprised of a wide range of people from throughout the county. Experts from the sports industry, universities, media, as well as health and business communities, serve key roles, while prominent athletes and sports personalities comprise the advisory board.
Another key component of the Commission is the Fairfield County Sports Hall of Fame, which is located at Chelsea Piers Stamford. The Hall of Fame, created in 2005, recognizes the county’s long, rich tradition of sports and honors those who established that tradition. The Hall of Fame inductions are staged annually at the Commission’s Sports Night awards dinner in October, which acts as a fundraiser.
The Hall of Fame also includes a University of Connecticut wing started in 2007 that honors athletes and coaches from Fairfield County that went on to accomplished sports careers at the state university. The Sports Commission is in its 14th year as a charitable and educational entity.
For more information contact executive director Tom Chiappetta at 203-984-4806 or via email at tomc@fairfieldcountysports.com
