By LENORA LAKE

llake@tampatrib.com

UNIVERSITY AREA - Participants in the Mort NFL Youth Education Town Center have a new $250,000 Football field, thanks to the Glazer Family and the National Football League.

The Glazer Family Field was dedicated last week in conjunction with a $1 million donation to the Mort YET Center, 1815 E. 148th Ave., and Jackson Heights YET Center in East Tampa.

NFL YET Centers, begun 15 years ago in cities hosting the Super Bowl, are designed to provide educational and recreational facilities and programs for disadvantaged youth. The students participate in computer training, financial and career choice education, self-esteem building programs, cooking classes and team sports.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told about 100 YET center children attending the ceremony along with local dignitaries that "this facility is for you. Take advantage of it."

The Tampa Bay area was the first to have two, which were established when Tampa hosted the 2001 Super Bowl. At the time, city and county officials split the NFL donation and added public and private funding raised by the Super Bowl host committee. This year's $1 million enhancement donation from the NFL also will be split.

The Glazers, owners of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers , also contributed $150,000 for the Mort field.

Bryan Glazer, co-chairman of the team, called the YET centers the "jewels of the community." He said they are important because of the range of activities such as sports, fitness, life skills and academics.

The NFL donation to Mort will be used to create a fitness center. The recreation building will be expanded by as much as 1,500 square feet, according to Pete Fowler, deputy director of Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation.

Fowler said the expansion is under design.

The Jan. 29 rain-soaked dedication ceremony also included Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio and professional Football players Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints, Jermaine Phillips of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve Young.

Young, who donates technology to the YET Centers through his foundation, Forever Young, said, "Every year we come out, they [the YET Centers] are better organized."

Correspondent Lenora Lake can be reached at (813) 865-4851.

Photo credit: Tribune photos by JULIE BUSCH

Photo: Temple Park children, from left, Melanie Tomas, 8, Precious Roberts, 10, and Etrnity Stewart, 7, watch as pro Football players help dedicate the Mort Park Football field last week.

Photo: Former Bucs quarterback Steve Young was on hand for the dedication. He donates technology to the NFL YET Centers.

Copyright ? 2009, The Tampa Tribune and may not be republished without permission. E-mail library@tampatrib.com