Heupel Foundation Reaches Out to Youth

Pitsco sponsors “Speed for Need” fundraiser at Tulsa Raceway Park on May 12​

Former Heisman Trophy runner-up Josh Heupel enjoyed great support and encouragement to succeed as a youngster, and through his nonprofit The #14 Foundation he aims to help disadvantaged Oklahoma youth realize their dreams and potential.

The “Speed for Need” Celebrity Drag Racing event at Tulsa Raceway Park on Saturday, May 12, is a major fundraiser for Heupel’s foundation. Pitsco, an education company in Pittsburg, Kan. is the primary sponsor of the racing event.

Pitsco President and CEO Harvey Dean, an Oklahoma native, says Heupel’s foundation is similar to his company in that both organizations aim to educate youngsters through positive experiences and proper training.

“Josh Heupel’s the #14 Foundation partners with Oklahoma schools to reach out and help students through educational development, and that is something near and dear to my heart,” Dean said. “We need more people – celebrities and business people alike – to step forward and reach out to the underprivileged youth in communities all across the country.”

Heupel, who led the Oklahoma Sooners to the national championship with a win over Florida State in the 2000 Orange Bowl, spent two years as a backup quarterback in the NFL. He is now quarterbacks coach at Oklahoma, but he spends his spare time heading up the #14 Foundation.

The foundation’s mission is to empower youth and adolescents through personal and educational development, citizenship, moral leadership, social recreation and mentoring programs.

“The #14 Foundation is something that allows me to help young people in a tangible way,” Heupel says. “I can have a positive impact on children and provide them with opportunities for a more fulfilling life.”

From camp scholarships to mentoring programs to providing school supplies, shoes, clothing and extra curricular activity fees, the foundation supports youth identified as most needy in their schools.

The Speed for Need event at Tulsa Raceway Park will feature funny cars, pro stock cars, pro modified cars and even junior drag racing. Teacher and author Sam Parton will showcase his Pitsco-sponsored Team Thunder dragster and share education materials as part of the activities. Gates open at 1:30 p.m. and racing starts at 3 p.m.

Tickets are on sale for the event at Tulsa area Warehouse Market and Burger King stores, as well has Route 66 Harley Davidson in Tulsa and A-1 Auto Body in Broken Arrow. For more information, call 918-695-6265 or visit www.tulsaracewaypark.com.

To learn more about Josh Heupel’s the #14 Foundatin, visit www.the14foundation.com. And to learn more about Pitsco, visit www.pitsco.com.