DETROIT/Jan. 24, 2014 – Comerica Bank will offer two $10,000 grants to Michigan public high school baseball or softball teams to help create, expand or improve their programs. Comerica will award grants to one high school from southeast Michigan and another from the central/west region. This is the fourth consecutive year of the Grand Slam Grant program.
“Comerica’s Grand Slam Grants support high school athletics and the team work and dedication they inspire -- qualities we value throughout the bank,” said Michael T. Ritchie, president, Comerica Bank-Michigan. “Growing up playing sports, I know firsthand the benefits it offers and I’m happy we can provide the same opportunity to the next generation of athletes.”
The grant recipients will be recognized on the field opening weekend prior to the Saturday, April 5 game against the Baltimore Orioles. In addition to the grant, each winning school will receive tickets to the opening weekend game.
Public high schools in Comerica’s markets of Southeast Michigan and Central/West Michigan region are eligible to apply for the Grand Slam Grant. One recipient will be chosen from each region. The funds can be used for field improvements, equipment, training camps, or other baseball or softball-related expenses. Schools can visit www.comerica.com to determine if their school is located in one of Comerica’s Michigan markets.
Grant applications will be reviewed for a variety of criteria including overall need, creativity, and school and community impact. The grant recipients will be selected by the Comerica Bank Grand Slam Grant Selection Committee, consisting of representatives from Comerica Bank and the Detroit Tigers, including Detroit Tigers outfielder Rajai Davis.
Eligible schools can download the grant application at www.comerica.com/grandslamgrant. Once complete, the application, along with supporting materials such as photos or videos must be submitted via email to grandslamgrant@comerica.com no later than 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, 2014.
Last year, Comerica awarded grants to the Cass Technical High School in the Southeast Michigan Region and Holland High School in the Central/West Region. Cass Tech’s baseball and softball teams used the funds to purchase new equipment and training material, as well as organize a little league camp. Holland High School’s softball team used the funds for field improvements, to purchase new equipment and to develop an extended training camp to help improve the program.
About Comerica Bank
Comerica Bank, with 214 banking centers in Michigan, is a subsidiary of Comerica Incorporated. Founded in Detroit in 1849, Comerica continues to invest in Michigan. Comerica’s $17 million renovation of its building at 411 W. Lafayette in Detroit was completed last year and the renamed Comerica Bank Center is now the bank’s Michigan Market headquarters. Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) is a financial services company strategically aligned by three business segments: The Business Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth Management. Comerica focuses on relationships, and helping people and businesses be successful. To find us on Facebook, please visit www.facebook.com/ComericaCares. Follow us on Twitter at @ComericaCares.
About The Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers, Inc., a charter member of the American League in 1901, have won four World Series and 11 American League pennants. The team is owned by Michael Ilitch who purchased the ballclub in 1992. Michael and his wife, Marian, jointly own other companies in the food, sports and entertainment industries including: Little Caesars Pizza, Blue Line Foodservice Distribution, the Detroit Red Wings, Olympia Entertainment, Olympia Development, Little Caesars Pizza Kit Fundraising Program, Champion Foods, Uptown Entertainment and Ilitch Holdings, Inc. Marian Ilitch is the sole owner of MotorCity Casino Hotel. For more information, visit www.tigers.com.
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