Shaquille O’Neal and Icy Hot Launch Grant Program to Help Student Athletes Impacted By COVID

The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation announced that it is partnering with Icy Hot to launch an initiative to help high school athletics programs that have been financially burdened by the coronavirus pandemic.

Through the Get Game Ready program, the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation will issue grants to help with financial aid to the school sports programs that are in need of assistance. The program will also provide additional support through the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA), where the members will offer expert guidance aimed at reducing the risk of injuries among high school athletes and mitigating the spread of COVID-19.

“Sports are a lifeline for student-athletes and help build a sense of community,” Shaquille O’Neal said in a written statement. “That’s why I am proud to partner with Icy Hot and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association to help struggling high schools get their athletics programs back up and running and supply students with necessary protective gear and equipment when the time is right.”

“The health and safety of every student-athlete is paramount, especially as the country navigates sports during COVID-19,” NATA President Tory Lindley, MA, ATC, said. “As school sports resume, many students will have to adjust to intense levels of activity after months of being out of play, so it will be more important than ever to have the support of skilled athletic trainers who can help reduce the risk of injuries and mitigate the spread of COVID-19.”

Icy Hot will donate $1 to The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation for every box of Icy Hot products sold. Public high schools with a Title I designation needing help for their athletics programs are encouraged to apply. Grant recipients will be able to use the money to purchase much-needed gear and PPE.

You can learn more about The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation’s Get Game Ready grant program and application process at shaqfoundation.org/GetGameReady or IcyHot.com/GetGameReady.