FAIRFIELD COUNTY SPORTS HALL OF FAME & YOUTH FOUNDATION
The Fairfield County Sports Hall of Fame & Youth Foundation 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.
FCSHOFYF, formerly known as the Fairfield County Sports Commission, celebrates its 20th year of existence in 2024. It is an all-volunteer organization except for the executive director position and is the one-stop resource for the sports communities in the county. The focus of the organization 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 its primary mission and role.
Since 2008, the organization has supported more than 90 county youth organizations and programs with financial support. The current primary beneficiaries are the Cardinal Shehan and McGivney Centers in Bridgeport, The Carver in Norwalk and the Stamford Boys & Girls Club. FCSHOFYF has donated over $300,000 to local charities that focus on the healthy body/healthy mind equation for our children.
The Foundation’s major initiative is its Chelsea Cohen Fitness Academy, which acts as an umbrella entity 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, 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 organization’s website (fairfieldcountysports.com).
Over its long history, FCSHOFYF 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. 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.
The other equally important component is the Fairfield County Sports Hall of Fame, which is located at Chelsea Piers Stamford. The Hall of Fame, created in 2005, annually recognizes the county’s long, rich tradition of sports and honors those who established that tradition.
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. It also features the FCIAC Hall of Fame, which recognizes the high school coaches, administrators and key league supporters throughout much of the county.
For more information contact executive director Tom Chiappetta at 203-984-4806 or via email at tomc@fairfieldcountysports.com.