Junior Seau understands the importance of helping underprivileged youth attain higher education.  The Scholars of Excellence was the first program the Foundation created in 1992.  The program was designed to recognize young men and women who are dedicated to both personal and academic excellence. Financial assistance is granted to high school graduates who have the grades and the desire, but not the means, to attend a four year college or university.

The 2011 Scholars of Excellence program was underwritten by generous businesses and individuals.   Sponsors include EDCO Disposal, Qualcomm, NFL Charities, Wells Fargo, David Hovey, Lori & Bill Walton, Jim Kelly, Caesars Palace, Fresh Pac International and Roth Capital Partners.

All applications must be postmarked by Monday, April 2, 2012 and be sure you meet all of the criteria for selection.

If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact the Foundation at 619-264-5555.

2012JSFApplication

Sponsorships are available and include access to all of the events, company exposure and great networking opportunities, all while raising money for the youth of San Diego.

For more information please contact the Junior Seau Foundation at 619-264-5555.

Junior Seau stated “The Shop with a Jock® event is a true community event benefiting San Diego kids who otherwise would not have the means to provide gifts to their loved ones.  The mission is to teach kids about giving rather than receiving during the holidays.  I am proud we have been able to expand the program to 250 kids and even more organizations.”

Each child is paired with a local college or professional athlete who help them choose their gifts and make the night a memorable experience.  Athletes and media personalities who participated included Jacques Cesaire, Vincent Brown, Corey Liuget, Will Venable, Nick Hundley, Terrell Davis, Bill Goldberg, Dermontti Dawson, Hank Bauer, Dave Binn, Doug Wilkerson, Rod Martin, Vencie Glenn, Jane Mitchell, Ben Higgins, Hula, Geena the Latina, Frankie and many more from San Diego State, University of San Diego, San Diego Sockers, Ombac Rugby Club, San Diego Fight Club and the Olympic Training Center.

The children were selected from the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Diego County, Barrio Logan College Institute, San Diego Center for Children, The Monarch School, Mental Health Systems and the College Avenue Baptist Church.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this the biggest and best Shop With A Jock® yet!!!

“To be honored with that label and to be part of a unique group and a fraternity is definitely something special,” Seau said. “Honestly, I don’t think words can ever express it.”

Seau was named first-team All-Pro an astounding six times during his 13-year career with the Chargers. He earned 12 consecutive Pro Bowl selections in that time, making 1,396 tackles, 45.5 sacks and 14 interceptions. He also played seven seasons for Miami and New England, helping the Chargers and Patriots to AFC Championships.

“It’s really great to have Junior be part of the Hall of Fame here. He deserves it,” Chargers Chairman of the Board – Dean Spanos said. “The 13 years he played here, he really was the heart and soul of our team.”

Check out this link to find a unique holiday gift for your friends and family: http://shop.apliiq.com/user/shopq.aspx?s=77 

Apliiq is a new media fashion company that collects rare, deadstock and recognizable fabrics and applies them to everyday garments.  Apliiq.com celebrates the experience of fabric expression by offering limited edition and custom appliqué products in which visitors can choose the fabric, placement and garment color to make their own unique composition of color and texture.  Each Apliiq product is made to order in downtown Los Angeles and comes packaged in a re-usable fabric bag.  Browse the fabric library, customize your own and express yourself through fabric.

Junior stated “I am honored to have the ability to help those less fortunate and the brave members of our military on such a special holiday.  I look forward to this day every year.”

Over 20 agencies from throughout San Diego County including, Vista Hill Parent Care, Navy Medical Center, YWCA, The Monarch School, Casa de Amparo, Camp Pendleton, City Heights Community Development Corporation, Teen Challenge, The Milestone House Program, House of Metamorphosis, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego Center for Children, Crash, Becky’s House, College Avenue Baptist Church, Training Center, La Promesa Hispanic Ministries, Mental Health Systems, Camp Goalz, Oasis Clubhouse and The Milestone House Program.

Special thanks to Sysco, Coca-Cola Refreshments, Schwan’s, Mission Air Service, Mike Norris and all of the volunteers for making it another memorable Thanksgiving!!!

At the event $10,000 was presented to the Tony Hawk Foundation, $10,000 was raised for the Vista Skatepark Coalition through the sale of Tony Hawk autographed skateboards and $4,000 went to ProKids.

The Foundation would like to thank presenters Andy Macdonald, Chad DiNenna and Master of Ceremonies, Howard Wright.

The Luncheon’s major donors include Edco, Dowling & Yahnke, American Airlines, San Diego County Toyota Dealers, David Hovley, Caesars Palace, Bloom Fresh, Wells Fargo, Filippi’s Pizza Grotto and DC Shoes.

The Miracle League of San Diego is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping children with physical and mental disabilities to develop and achieve their full potential: mentally, socially and physically.

They accomplish this through America’s favorite pastime — baseball, providing an opportunity for children with disabilities to play baseball as part of a team in an organized league.

In addition, the Junior Seau Foundation has committed $30,000 through 2013 to underwrite all of the players uniforms.

“From the day we drafted Junior, we knew he was special,” said Chargers Chairman of the Board – President Dean Spanos. “He’s such an energized, charismatic person. He attacks life the same way he attacked ball carriers. It’s that passion that turned him into the Hall of Fame player he is. His athletic ability speaks for itself, but it’s his passion and energy that separate him from the rest of the league. It’s that same passion for life that has made him an icon in San Diego. He IS San Diego in so many ways … in how he has represented himself on and off the field, and how he has been there to help and support the community when and where it’s needed. Junior is such a unique person; so full of life, and that rubs off on everyone around him, including me. I’m blessed by his friendship.

”Junior certainly will be one of the brightest lights among the stars in the Chargers Hall of Fame.”

It is fitting that Seau’s induction takes place on the day the Chargers face the Broncos. It was his fumble recovery against the Broncos in the 1994 season opener that sealed an 18-point, come-from-behind victory, kick-starting a season that would end with the Chargers’ first and only Super Bowl appearance.

Seau was the team leader and the heart and soul of the Chargers’ defense from 1990-02. His stellar playing career was highlighted by 12 consecutive Pro Bowl selections, the most by any player in Chargers history and tied for the third-longest streak ever.

Seau’s career statistics are beyond question. He appeared in 268 regular season games, including a team-record 200 as a Charger – tied for the second-most in team history with Chargers Hall of Fame tackle Russ Washington. During 13 seasons in San Diego, Seau racked up 1,396 tackles, 45.5 sacks and 14 interceptions. He was the team leader in tackles in eight of his 13 seasons, averaging 116 tackles a year. Seau led the Bolts in tackles in 84 of the 200 games he played for the team and he recorded 10-or-more tackles 47 times.

Among his many honors, Seau was a first-team All-Pro pick by the Associated Press six times during his career (1992-94, 1996, 1998, 2000) and a second-team selection on two occasions (1995, 1999). He was named the Chargers’ Most Valuable Player a team-record six times (1993, 1997-2001) and the Defensive Player of the Year twice (1998-99). He also was voted the Chargers’ Most Inspirational Player in 1997 and 2002. In 2009 he was chosen as one of the 50 Greatest Chargers of All-Time, and in 2000 he was named to the Chargers 40th Anniversary All-Time Team, the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s All-Decade Team for the ’90s and selected as the NFL Alumni Association’s Linebacker of the Year. Seau was also selected as the True Value NFL Man of the Year in 1994 for his leadership and contributions off the field. In Miami, he was awarded the Dolphins’ Don Shula Leadership Award following the 2003-04 seasons.

Seau’s greatness as a player on the field is equaled only by his leadership and generosity in the community. He is a loving father, an astute businessman and a community leader. Seau established the Junior Seau Foundation in 1992 to raise money and resources for programs that inspire young people to face life’s challenges with enthusiasm, hope and dignity. The Foundation’s mission is “to educate and empower young people through the support of child abuse prevention, drug and alcohol awareness, recreational opportunities, anti-juvenile delinquency efforts and complimentary educational programs.” He oversees all the efforts of the Foundation and through his work has awarded hundreds of scholarships totaling over $800,000 to college-bound students from throughout San Diego County. On October 31, Junior will honor Tony Hawk at the 11th Annual Teammates Luncheon. This December will mark the 17th year Seau has led San Diego’s holiday charge, now taking 250 underprivileged kids on a shopping spree at Target Mission Valley to buy gifts for friends and family through the Shop with a Jock® program. The Foundation’s largest fund-raiser continues to be one of the premier events in Southern California, the Junior Seau Celebrity Golf Classic. The annual three-day event features the Legends Party, the Legends Dinner & Auction and the Golf Classic which are attended by many active and retired players from the NFL. The 20th Anniversary Junior Seau Celebrity Golf Classic will be held March 10-12, 2012. For more information on the Junior Seau Foundation, please visit juniorseau.org or call 619-264-5555.

In July 1996, he opened SEAU’s the Restaurant, which consistently has been voted San Diego’s most popular sports-themed restaurant. Each year on Thanksgiving Day, SEAU’s the Restaurant opens its doors to feed 700 residents of homeless shelters, victims of domestic violence, military families, and families from local non-profit agencies.

As a testament to the contributions he has made to enrich young lives in San Diego and around the country, Seau and his foundation were presented at the White House by President George W. Bush with the “Volunteer Service Award,” as part of the Asian Pacific Heritage Month celebration in May 2005. Other honors bestowed upon Seau for his charitable efforts include True Value Hardware NFL Man of the Year (1994); National Boys and Girls Clubs Hall of Fame (1999); San Diego Hall of Champions Professional Star of the Year (1992); NFL United Way representative (San Diego Chargers: 1992 and 1999); A Magazine: One of 100 most influential Asian Americans (1990s); JB Award which recognizes NFL players for dedication to build better families and stronger communities (2005); Sporting News Miami Dolphins Good Guy (2004), and spokesman for the National Beer Wholesaler’s Association appearing on national PSA’s to curb underage drinking and stop illegal alcohol consumption among youth. He received the 2003 Spirit of San Diego Award from the San Diego Chamber of Commerce for community commitment and leadership.

The fifth of six children, Seau was born Tiaina Seau Jr. on January 19, 1969 in San Diego. At an early age his family moved to American Samoa, but they returned to the mainland prior to him entering grade school. He did not speak English until age seven. Seau played linebacker and tight end as senior for the Oceanside High Pirates. He was named CIF San Diego Section Defensive Player of the Year, all-state and USA Today All-USA honorable mention, as well as All-North County and Avocado League Offensive Player of the Year. In addition, he was consensus San Diego Section Basketball Player of the Year. He was named to California’s all-academic team with a 3.6 grade-point average.

Seau will be joining 34 members in the Chargers Hall of Fame, including (in order of induction): wide receiver Lance Alworth, tackle Ron Mix, running back Paul Lowe, running back Keith Lincoln, majority owner Barron Hilton, defensive tackle Ernie Ladd, guard Walt Sweeney, quarterback John Hadl, linebacker Chuck Allen, wide receiver Gary Garrison, head coach Sid Gillman, defensive end Earl Faison, quarterback Dan Fouts, wide receiver Charlie Joiner, head coach Don Coryell, cornerback Leslie “Speedy” Duncan, tight end Kellen Winslow, tackle Russ Washington, minority owner George Pernicano, kicker Rolf Benirschke, cornerback Gil Byrd, defensive tackle Gary “Big Hands” Johnson, guard Doug Wilkerson, wide receiver Wes Chandler, quarterback Stan Humphries, head coach Bobby Ross, defensive tackle Louie Kelcher, guard Ed White, center Donnie Macek and defensive end Fred Dean. Four players were inducted posthumously when the Hall of founded in 1976: linebacker Frank Buncom, linebacker Emil Karas, linebacker Bob Laraba, and tight end Jacque MacKinnon.

Junior Seau’s Career Highlights

Selected by the San Diego Chargers with the fifth overall pick in the 1990 NFL Draft. He played in the NFL longer than any other first-round choice that year.
Voted to a team-record 12 consecutive Pro Bowls (1991-2002 seasons), as he became just the 4th NFL player since 1970 to be selected 10 or more straight times to the Pro Bowl, joining Randall McDaniel (12), Mike Singletary (10) and Lawrence Taylor (10).
Named the NFL Alumni Association’s Linebacker of the Year in 2000.
In 2000, named to the Chargers’ 40th Anniversary Team.
Named to the All-Decade Team of the 1990s by the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Selected the Chargers’ Most Valuable Player five straight seasons (1997-2001), while he shared the award with Leslie O’Neal in 1993.
Voted the Chargers’ Defensive Player of the Year twice (1998-99).
Voted by his teammates as the Chargers Most Inspirational Player in 1997.
Voted first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press six times during his career (1992-94, 1996, 1998, 2000) and was a second-team selection on two occasions (1995, 1999).
First-team All-Pro by College & Pro Football Newsweekly twice (1992, 1994) and a second-team pick three times (1993, 1995, 1999).
First-team All-Pro pick by Pro Football Weekly on four occasions (1992,1994-95, 1998).
First-team All-Pro by the Pro Football Writers of America four times (1992-95).
First-team All-Pro selection by USA Today in 1996.
Recorded 10 or more tackles in a game 59 times.
Led team in tackles in 89 of his 230 career regular season games.
Led the Chargers in tackles in eight of his 13 NFL seasons.
Averaged more than 115 tackles a season and more than seven tackles a game over his career.
Is tied for first on San Diego’s all-time list for games played with 200.
Registered 47 sacks during his tenure with San Diego, third on the Chargers’ all-time list.
For his philanthropic efforts, was named the NFL Man of the Year in 1994.