The IOWA Foundation

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The IOWA Foundation We partner with athletes to give back to communities through sports, education & supporting charities

09/18/2026

Join us on Sunday, November 22 for UMPS CARE Charities 6th Annual Eric Cooper Memorial Bowling Tournament at Gameday Lanes! Your registration includes bowling, shoe rental, food, and an Iowa Cubs ticket voucher for a game in April or May 2027.

Funds from the tournament will support the Official Leadership Program for teens right here in Des Moines and Central Iowa.

Each year, we honor the memory and legacy of MLB Umpire, Eric Cooper, who passed away suddenly in 2019.

Sign up today to get early-bird pricing! https://bit.ly/474vqx6

09/16/2026

Considered getting into officiating? ๐Ÿ“ฃ

Join the IHSAA and Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) for our New Officials Recruitment Webinar on Oct. 14 to learn how to get started and what to expect ahead of winter sports!

๐Ÿ“ iahsaa.org/officials-recruitment-webinar/

09/04/2026

๐–๐„ ๐’๐“๐€๐๐ƒ ๐€๐‹๐Ž๐๐„

IOWA RANKED AS THE #1 STATE IN THE NATION FOR HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS PARTICIPATION PER STATE POPULATION VIA NFHS ๐Ÿ”ฅ

!

09/01/2026

Mark your calendars for the 6th Annual Eric Cooper Memorial Bowling Tournament Presented by the Iowa Cubs - Sunday, November 22 at Gameday Lanes

More details coming soon - including an all-new T-shirt design!
Central Iowa Sports The IOWA Foundation Herbert Hoover High School - Des Moines

07/30/2026

Organizers said that with the constant shortage of officials in youth sports, there's been an ongoing effort to get more young people involved.

07/30/2026

Local umpires say there is no longer an umpire shortage, but a crisis. However, one group is looking to train todayโ€™s youth into tomorrowโ€™s umpires in a weekly camp held Wednesday nights. Story๐Ÿ”—below.

07/27/2026

โšพ๏ธ Calling all future umpires! ๐ŸฅŽ

Have you ever thought about becoming an official? Here's your chance to learn from some of the very best in the game!

Join us for the Umps Care MLB Youth Leadership Program & IAUSO Umpire Clinic:

๐Ÿ“… Wednesday, July 29
๐Ÿ•• 6:00 PM
๐Ÿ“ Holiday Park โ€“ Field 3
West Des Moines, IA

Learn from an outstanding lineup of instructors, including:
โญ Mike Everitt โ€“ MLB Supervisor & World Series Umpire
โญ Joe Nelson โ€“ IHSAA Hall of Fame Umpire
โญ Joe Havenhill โ€“ NCAA Division I Softball Umpire
โญ And other experienced officials!

This event is geared toward youth ages 13โ€“18, but everyone is welcome to attend.

Whether you're interested in giving back to the game, earning extra income, developing leadership skills, or simply love baseball and softball, this is the perfect opportunity to take your first step into officiating.

๐Ÿ‘Š Come learn. Ask questions. Meet great people. See what it takes to become a youth official.

Please help us spread the word by liking, sharing, and tagging anyone who might be interested!

07/27/2026

Continuing the legacy of Eric Cooper No. 56 through our Official Leadership Program in Iowa Iowa Cubs The IOWA Foundation Central Iowa Sports

Last chance to register for the Official Leadership Program that starts next week! We have some special guests lined up ...
07/15/2026

Last chance to register for the Official Leadership Program that starts next week! We have some special guests lined up including former MLB umpires!

We are less than two weeks from starting the Official Leadership Program at Hoover High School! Thereโ€™s still time to re...
07/12/2026

We are less than two weeks from starting the Official Leadership Program at Hoover High School! Thereโ€™s still time to register. Participants will gain hands on experience with the mechanics of umpiring while also learning life skills as part of the 6-week curriculum. Register and select โ€œDes Moinesโ€ as the location ๐Ÿ”— bit.ly/DM-Umps

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Des Moines, IA

Telephone

+13193616435

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