After decades of planning and community support, the Southern Youth Sports Association (SYSA) officially broke ground this morning on the Rafferty Center.
Decades in the Making
- The dream has grown exponentially. “Now, we serve almost 1,600 kids each year, and thanks to the generosity of this community, we can look forward to helping thousands more children in the decades to come.”
The Power of Community Partnership
The 10,000-square-foot facility, located next to the Theophalis May Community Center on West Gregory Street, represents the largest single donation in SYSA’s history. Troy and Ashley Rafferty’s $1 million contribution anchors the $2.5 million project, which also received state funding secured by Rep. Alex Andrade.
- As Troy Rafferty shared during the ceremony, the decision came down to a conversation with his wife about purchasing a yacht. “Ashley looked at me and said, why would you buy this yacht when you can help so many children? Why would you buy this when you can save so many lives?” Rafferty recalled. “Ashley said, ‘Just give it to them. Don’t raise it, give it to them.’”
While athletics drew the Raffertys to SYSA initially, the organization’s comprehensive approach to youth development sealed their commitment. Rafferty explained, “It was really when Lumon and Shirley (Cronley) shared with us the entire range of services provided to local kids in need that we really felt the calling to get more involved.”
- The new facility will house a full-sized basketball court capable of hosting 800 people for community events, two meeting rooms for after-school programming, office space for staff and coaches, and a concession stand. These amenities will support SYSA’s mission focused on the “4 B’s”—Bible, Books, Ball & Balance.
A Solution, Not a Problem
Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves praised the project as a rare example of community-driven solutions. “It is very rare in this line of work that someone brings you a solution instead of a problem. Not only saying, ‘Hey, we’re going to fund this building and we’re not going to wait on city dollars,’ but also meeting the needs of our community.”
Rep. Andrade shared his vision for the facility’s community impact. “My prayer for this new facility is that it is a testimony to people, an opportunity to bring people together, and an opportunity to allow parents and kids to grow, parents to raise their children, people who aren’t children’s parents, to help raise those children as well.”
- As SYSA prepares to expand its impact, the Rafferty Center symbolizes a community’s commitment to nurturing hope and opportunity for the next generation of Pensacola’s youth.
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