SCHOLASTICS & ALL-AMERICAN PROGRAM

Pop Warner Little Scholars is the only national youth sports organization in America that requires its participants to be performing adequately in the classroom before permitting them to play. We believe that the standards we have set give these children a sense of responsibility and an appreciation for academics and athletics that will help them develop later on in life.

Each year, the most academically accomplished Pop Warner kids compete for Academic All-American status. This process begins at the association level and up through each of the eight regions to the national level. In 2002, approximately 360,000 kids participated in Pop Warner. Incredibly, more than 45,000 achieved regional pre-qualifying status for national recognition. As our numbers once again reached record levels, 229 First Team members and over 3,400 Second Team members were named Pop Warner Academic All-Americans at the National Level.

The All-American Program requires a 96% grade point average or better to qualify for All-American status. However, in order to submit an application for First Team All-American, he/she must obtain at least a 98.5% grade average. Out of 448 First Team applications received by the National Office, only 53 (plus ties) are chosen as First Team All-Americans, for an approximate total of 212!

Pop Warner hosts an awards program each year to celebrate the accomplishments of our participants, award scholarships and recognize those that have contributed and served as exemplary ambassadors for Pop Warner.

Nationally, we select First and Second Team All-Americans and award scholarships for higher education to the most deserving students. We only offer scholarships to our Senior Scholars, which are First Team All-Americans in grades 8 and above. Since 1993, over $200,000 in scholarship money has been awarded through the Pop Warner Awards Program.

Going into our forty-third year hosting this event, Pop Warner has become a staple at Disney venues. The event alternates annually between Disneyland and DisneyWorld. While his year’s event is being held at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, CA, last year’s event was held at Disney’s Coronado Resort in Lake Buena Vista, FL.

Frequently Asked Scholastic Questions:

Question: What is the difference between First Team and Second Team All-American?
Answer: A First Team All-American is one of the top 35 football players or top 18 cheerleaders for his/her grade nationwide! A second Team All-American consists of those scholars who are above an annually increasing final score (GPA + addendum), ranging last year from about 97.5-100.5!

Question: If my son/daughter makes First Team for his/her region, are they automatically a National First Team All-American?
Answer: No, Regional awards and National awards are separate from each other. You must understand that while someone makes First Team at the Region Level, he/she is competing against the whole nation at the National Level.

Question: What is an All-American Senior Scholar and are they the ones eligible for scholarships at the awards program in May?
Answer: An All-American Senior Scholar is a First Team recipient in grades 8, 9 or 10. Yes, they are the only Scholar All-Americans who are eligible for scholarships.

Question: How big a deal is it to be named as a Pop Warner All-American Scholar?
Answer: A very big deal! If your son/daughter is recongized as a Pop Warner All-American Scholar, then he/she is amongst the top 1% of all Pop Warner participants. They are laso eligible to attend our Awards Recognition Program held annually which commemorates their achievements on the field, in the classroom and in the community.