Gateway High School was among 28 Bay Area schools awarded grant funding through the KNBR Step-up to the Plate for Education grant, funded by Wells Fargo Bank.
Through an open community nomination process, the grant program disbursed a total of $100,000 to support athletics, arts, STEAM and community-based programs. Gateway was awarded $3,500 to support our athletic program, open to every high school student with no fees or costs associated with uniforms/jerseys.
During an event hosted at Oracle Park (formerly AT&T Park) to celebrate the recipients, Gateway High School’s Principal, Anthony Rodgers, Gateway High School’s Athletics Director, Stephen Flynn, and two student athletes from Gateway’s baseball team, had the opportunity to meet and take pictures with world champion San Francisco Giants player Brandon Crawford.
As an advocate for education, Crawford spoke to the grant winners about the importance of working hard in both athletics and academics. “As a kid, my parents always emphasized the importance of an education—above and beyond participating in sports,” said Crawford. “As a Bay Area native, it is an honor to be part of a program that increases education and athletic programs for local kids.”
“At Gateway, we believe that athletics, in addition to a balanced education, can help prepare young people to become productive, contributing citizens of their communities and of our society. Thanks to this generous grant, we have the opportunity to support and grow our athletics department, furthering these ideals,” said Gateway High School Principal, Anthony Rodgers.
Since the inception of the Step-up to the Plate program almost 20 years ago, Wells Fargo and KNBR have granted over $1.2 million in support of Bay Area youth and Gateway High School is honored to be part of this community initiative.