Eastside Crusaders First Junior Football Program to Equip Players with New VICIS ZERO1 YOUTH Helmet
Washington Junior Football Program Continues Tradition of Prioritizing Player Safety by Investing in Most Technologically Advanced Helmet
SEATTLE, Nov. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Eastside Crusaders Junior Football program (ECJF) today announced it will equip its players with the new VICIS ZERO1 YOUTH helmet, making it the first program in the nation to commit to the youth version of the top-rated ZERO1 model. One of the preeminent junior football programs in the country, Eastside's decision to outfit its roster in the ZERO1 YOUTH is the latest step in the program's efforts to prioritize player safety and performance.
Founded in 2004, Eastside has built a reputation for its innovative approach to player safety, most notably with the Eastside Crusaders – Concussion Awareness & Prevention Program (EC-CAPP). Eastside was the first junior football program in the Pacific Northwest to incorporate safety techniques such as Heads Up Football and Tip of the Spear. Eastside has also partnered with the University of Washington Sports Medicine and Seattle Children's Hospital for studies around concussions and injuries in youth football.
"Nothing is more important than the safety of our players," said Eastside Crusaders Junior Football President Michael Shigley. "It is the absolute top priority for our franchise and for the Northwest Junior Football League. We have been at the forefront of this issue for over a decade so when VICIS announced the ZERO1 YOUTH helmet, it was an easy decision for us to make the switch."
The ZERO1 YOUTH is engineered specifically for young players and the impacts they encounter on the field. Like its varsity counterpart, the helmet features a deformable outer shell and unique columnar layer designed to slow impact forces like a car bumper. The helmet features a lightweight, compact design tailored to youth anatomies and offers the industry's widest field of view, allowing young players to see more of the field and react more quickly to potential impacts.
The Eastside Crusaders now join a community of players wearing the ZERO1 that includes hundreds of professional athletes and players at more than 100 NCAA programs and 1000 high schools across the country.
"We're passionate about protecting kids and it's gratifying to see our mission realized with today's announcement," said Dave Marver, VICIS CEO and co-founder. "The Eastside Crusaders' commitment to player safety is why it's viewed as one of the leading youth football programs in the country."
For additional information about VICIS and the ZERO1, or to order a helmet for your player or team, visit www.vicis.com.
ABOUT VICIS
VICIS is a Seattle-based company focused on sports protective technologies. Its inaugural product, the ZERO1 football helmet, launched in 2017 and ranked first in 2017 and 2018 NFL/NFLPA Helmet Performance testing, and was named one of TIME Magazine's 25 Best Inventions of 2017. VICIS was also named one of Fast Company's 2018 Most Innovative Companies. The company recently launched its ZERO1 YOUTH helmet, the first football helmet truly optimized for kids. The company is funded and/or advised by several current and former NFL players, including Roger Staubach, Jerry Rice, Russell Wilson, Doug Baldwin, Aaron Rodgers and Alex Smith. For more information, visit www.vicis.com/.
ABOUT ECJF
Founded in 2004, ECJF is a junior football program and cheer program headquartered in Sammamish, Washington. In addition to being a national leader in innovative ways to make the game of football safer, the program is modeled on the belief that "a player's character is just as important as his or her ability," a theme which is constantly reinforced and modeled by coaching staffs. This includes the importance of players' academic studies as well as a zero-tolerance policy around abusive or profane behavior. Originally founded as a program where parochial and private school students could play junior football with their friends without any geographic restrictions, the program has expanded its base and welcomes anyone who is seeking the ECJF's unique brand of football.
SOURCE VICIS
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