PHILADELPHIA—Mayor Jim Kenney today announced that the City of Philadelphia will host a Celebration of Champions next Saturday, April 9, produced by the Office of the City Representative in honor of five Philadelphia youth sports teams that secured national titles in 2021.

The Enon Eagles and Inner City Warriors youth football teams will join cheer squads Oak Lane Wildcats, Frankford Chargers, and the North Philly Aztecs for a procession down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The Celebration will end on the Art Museum steps, where the champions will be greeted by their family, friends, and City officials for a celebratory program.

“I am so proud of Philadelphia’s young champions, and all they have achieved while representing our great city on the national stage,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “The skill, determination, and athleticism on display from all five championship teams is just incredible. You make us all so proud – keep up the great work.”

What: Philadelphia Celebration of Champions

When: 10:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (speaking program expected to begin at 11:15 a.m. at Art Museum steps)Where: 15th Street & JFK Boulevard to Philadelphia Museum of Art

Procession Route

  • Starts at 15th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard
  • Westbound on John F. Kennedy Boulevard to 16th Street
  • Northbound on 16th Street to Benjamin Franklin Parkway
  • Westbound on Benjamin Franklin Parkway (Inner Lanes) to Eakins Oval
  • Around Eakins Oval (northside) to Philadelphia Museum of Art Steps

B-roll opportunities:

  • Teams gathering to celebrate
  • Championship procession
  • Mayor and elected officials congratulating champions
  • Team coaches and winning youth athletes
  • Dance & cheer performances
  • DJ Blacx Rose from the Philadelphia School Districts MIC’d Up campaign

The Champions

The Enon Eagles U13 football team won its first-ever National Championship against the Virginia Beach Mustangs on December 23, 2021. The team, which plays for Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Mt. Airy, had an undefeated season.

The Inner City Warriors, a first-year organization, won the U13 open division 2021 Championship in the National United Youth Football League after defeating the Illinois Bucs All Stars.

The Oak Lane Wildcats 18U team won the 2021 American Youth Cheer National Champion Cheer Team.

The Frankford Chargers 10U team was named the 2021 American Youth Cheer National Championship in Dance. The 14U team took home second place in step and third place in Dance.

The North Philly Aztecs Cheer Team 8U team brought home the 2021 American Youth Cheer National Championship in Dance.

“Sports were a lifeline for me growing up,” said Managing Director Tumar Alexander. “Team work, dedication, and discipline learned on the field stays with us for a lifetime. I congratulate these outstanding young athletes, and thank their coaches and families for providing safe places for our youth to make friends, have fun, and see themselves as the champions they are.”

All five championship teams are part of a volunteer-led community youth sports organization dedicated to providing Philadelphia’s youth with positive development opportunities and exposure to caring adult role models. Learn more at phila.gov/ppr.

Closures & Parking Restrictions

Road Closures

The following streets will be closed from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 9:

  • JFK Blvd. from 15th St. to 16th St.

The route will be closed to vehicular traffic beginning at 10:45 a.m. Roads will reopen as the championship procession passes by and will be lifted no later than 11:30 a.m.

The following streets will be closed from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 9:

  • Eakins Oval between Kelly Drive and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
  • Kelly Drive (inbound) between 25th Street/Anne d’Harnoncourt Drive and Eakins Oval

Anne d’Harnoncourt Drive will be open for access to the Philadelphia Museum of Art at all times.

Parking Restrictions

The following streets will be posted as “Temporary No Parking” zones from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 9 —both sides of the street unless otherwise noted:

  • JFK Blvd. from 15th St. to 16th St.
  • 15th St. from JFK Blvd. to Arch St.

Note to editors:

Press are encouraged to park on the northwest corner of Eakins Oval or on the southside of Kelly Drive (outbound lane) between 25th Street and Spring Garden Street.

###