REPORT TO PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Approval of a Grant from the Wade Brummal Youth Sports Scholarship Program in the Amount of $3,997.50 to Reimburse Santa Clara Police Activities League for Eligible Scholarships from the 2026 Softball & Soccer Seasons
Report
BACKGROUND
The Wade Brummal Youth Sports Scholarship Program (Program) was established in 2015 in memory of Santa Clara resident and youth sports enthusiast Wade Brummal. Developed through an extensive outreach process (Attachment 1), the Program promotes youth participation in organized sports by providing scholarships to Santa Clara youth who may not otherwise have the means to participate. The Program reimburses qualified youth sports organizations for eligible expenses, including athlete scholarships, uniforms, travel and competition fees, sports equipment, and other related costs. It is administered in accordance with the Wade Brummal Scholarship Program and Grant Guidelines (Attachment 2), which were most recently updated in March 2025.
Overview of the Wade Brummal Youth Sports Scholarship Program
Any non-profit youth sports organization (YSO) that receives a permit to operate in a City of Santa Clara facility and allows non-resident athlete participation is required to contribute to the Program. Participating YSOs must submit participant rosters to the Parks & Recreation Department (Department) annually. For each non-resident athlete listed, the YSO must contribute $25 per sport. This fee will increase by $10 (from $25 to $35) in FY 2026/27 and by an additional $10 (from $35 to $45) in FY 2027/28.
In return, eligible YSOs may apply for grant funding from the Program to assist Santa Clara youth who need financial support. The organization must be a Santa Clara based, non-profit youth sports organization serving youth under the age of 18. The YSO must be current in its contribution to the Program, and comply with Title IX, the federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender in schools that receive federal funding including in their athletics programs.
Priorities of Funding
The Guidelines establish the following priorities when considering grant requests:
1. Participant scholarships:
a. Reimbursement of a YSO direct financial assistance to support disadvantaged athletes in the sport. Individuals must be qualifying residents of the City of Santa Clara
b. The YSO may qualify the athlete for a scholarship based on participation in a government support program (e.g., WIC, SNAP, reduced utility programs, or free and reduced-price lunch) or documented financial hardship.
2. Sport equipment and related expense:
a. Competition or tournament fees, uniforms, training equipment, or other expenses that enable the athlete to play.
b. Organizational expenses related to volunteer coach certifications or fingerprinting.
Applications up to $2,500 may be approved by the Department. Applications exceeding $2,500 are presented to the Parks & Recreation Commission for recommendation of approval. A request for funds may be made by any organization no more than one time per year.
DISCUSSION
The purpose of this report is to present the grant request from the Santa Clara Police Activities League (SCPAL) for reimbursement of eligible player scholarships that were allocated during the 2026 softball and soccer seasons. SCPAL submitted scholarship expenses totaling $5,027.50 (Attachment 3). Per the Program’s guidelines, grant requests exceeding $2,500 are subject to the review and approval of the Parks & Recreation Commission.
SCPAL provides recreational softball, soccer, BMX, judo, wrestling, flag football, and cheerleading for youth and teens. The Department received a scholarship request from SCPAL in the amount of $5,027.50 for 25 players. Based on the Department’s review, only nineteen players met the Program’s Santa Clara residency requirement, resulting in a recommended award of $3,997.50. The award calculation is as follows:
|
Number of Resident Players (Soccer) |
Scholarship Award (per player) |
Total Scholarship Award |
|
2 |
$115 |
$230 |
|
3 |
$155 |
$465 |
|
2 |
$165 |
$330 |
|
2 |
$190 |
$380 |
|
Total: 9 Players |
$1,405 |
|
Number of Resident Players (Softball) |
Scholarship Award (per player) |
Total Scholarship Award |
|
1 |
$80 |
$80 |
|
2 |
$150 |
$300 |
|
1 |
$175 |
$175 |
|
1 |
$187.50 |
$187.50 |
|
1 |
$200 |
$200 |
|
2 |
$250 |
$500 |
|
1 |
$500 |
$500 |
|
1 |
$650 |
$650 |
|
Total: 10 Players |
$2,592.50 |
|
Grand Total: 19 Players |
$3,997.50 |
Department staff have reviewed the scholarship application and determined that it aligns with the Program’s priorities and meets all eligibility requirements. Accordingly, staff recommend that the Parks & Recreation Commission approve the grant request in the amount of $3,997.50.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 153778(a) as it has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
The recommended grant award to the Santa Clara Police Activities League is $3,997.50. The current available funding in the Wade Brummal Youth Sports Scholarship Program in the Public Donations Fund is $36,336. This amount includes the $19,411 remaining balance from FY 2025/26 and $16,925 in additional net revenue received in FY 2026/27 from program fees, interest earnings, and donations. A budget amendment to recognize and appropriate these additional funds will be brought forward as part of the July and August Monthly Financial Report scheduled for City Council consideration on October 20, 2026.
An additional grant request in anthe amount up toof $32,338.50 for the Santa Clara Youth Soccer League (SCYSL) is also being presented at the September Commission meeting (RTC 26-917). If approved, the combined total of the grant requests under consideration would be up to $36,336, consisting of $3,997.50 for SCPAL and $32,338.50 for SCYSL. Approval of both requests would fully expend the current funding available in the Wade Brummal Youth Sports Scholarship Program. However, the program may receive additional funding throughout the fiscal year through program fees, interest earnings, and donations, which would increase the amount available for future scholarship grants.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Finance Department.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Parks & Recreation Commission agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov>.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Approve a Grant in the Amount of $3,997.50 from the Wade Brummal Youth Sports Scholarship Program in the Public Donations Fund to Reimburse the Santa Clara Police Activities League for Eligible Expenses Related to the 2026 Softball and Soccer Seasons.
Staff
Prepared by: Angelique Wilson, Recreation Supervisor
Reviewed by: Kimberly Castro, Recreation Manager
Approved by: Damon Sparacino, Director of Parks & Recreation
ATTACHMENTS
1. Item 13, October 27, 2015 City Council Report
2. Item 6, March 11, 2025 City Council Report with Wade Brummal Guidelines
3. Wade Brummal Scholarship Application - SCPAL 2026