In honor of student-athlete day celebrated on April 6, the following is excerpted from the OAAA thought leadership newsletter published on April 6, 2021:
"April 6 is National Student-Athlete Day, recognizing millions of competitors who will help lead America. In Senator Marco Rubio’s autobiography (“An American Son”), he focuses on the importance of football in his life, particularly youth football in Las Vegas. Rubio published a photo in that book showing young Marco in uniform. His team’s sponsor: Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO).
When YESCO celebrated its 100th year, Senator Rubio published this tribute in the Congressional Record (2020): “I love football. I played it, coached it, and now watch my sons learn the same valuable lessons I did many years ago. Youth sports teach important life lessons and help build pride and a sense of community within schools, neighborhoods, and even cities. I learned those lifelong lessons growing up in Las Vegas, where I played for a youth football team called the Cavaliers. My dad even volunteered as the team’s equipment manager. Congratulations, YESCO, on 100 years of growth and leadership. Thank you (YESCO) . . . for putting a football jersey on a skinny kid in Las Vegas who someday would be elected to the U.S. Senate.
Rubio is right. Athletics builds people and community. On this special day, we honor those on the field of play . . . and their great potential later in life."
