About > A Letter from the Founder
A Letter from the Founder
From the winter of 2003 through the fall of 2006, Kyle Burnat - a pitcher for Yale University from Atlanta, Jimmy Prior - a basketball player from Chicago, Davy Ferguson a wrestler who attended the University of Florida, and Andy Gathers - an avid sports fan from Cleveland, lost their lives too soon, all passed away before the age of 23. They will all be remembered for their love of life, hard work, high character, and the important role sports played in their lives. It is the memory of my cousin, former teammates, and forever friends that inspired me to found the Triple Play Foundation (TPF) in December 2006.
TPF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to making progress in society through youth sports. TPF works with sports & recreational NPOs, college students & young professionals, and socially responsible corporations in order to raise funds for impoverished youths the opportunity to participate in sports. TPF seeks to involve in all sports & recreational NPOs, college students & young professionals, and socially responsible corporations interested in working together to improve their local communities through youth sports. TPF has given out grants to local sports & recreational NPOs and sponsored a community project giving almost 100 hours of volunteer work; hosted five sports competitions entertainment events, and have more than 500 current members of the organization.
TPF is committed to making progress in society through youth sports. In sports, people find a sense of joy that otherwise cannot be realized. Teamwork, healthy competition, fair play, and sportsmanship are all lessons learned on the playing field. These lessons have molded generations of Americans into leaders and winners in life. Because of this, the influence of sports on American culture is undeniable. Sports have always been at the forefront of the social issues in America and TPF will continue in this tradition. The existence and establishment of TPF, and other social entrepreneurial enterprises of its ilk, will become the forum that Americans utilize to rebuild their sense of community and share their success and good fortune as we move into the 10s and 20s. We feel that with your help TPF can be at the forefront of this movement and make a significant difference in the South.
Brian Gamsey, Executive Director