recent awards and recognitions
2011 Good Sport in the Community Award - March, 2011
Good Sports honored Rob and Amy with the 2011 Good Sport in the Community Award for serving disadvantaged youth through sports, fitness and recreation.
2011 Sports Ethics Fellows - March, 2011
Rob and Amy were selected by the Positive Coaching Alliance and Institute for International Sport as 2011 Sports Ethics Fellows for making a huge impact on sports and through sports into the rest of society so that youth may benefit.
Asked to address National LISC at 30th Anniversary Event - March, 2011
Rob was asked to address the National LISC organization at their 30th Anniversary event, sharing his expertise and urging the importance of community building through sport.
The PrivateBank Norman Bobins Leadership Award - February, 2011
Rob and Amy Castañeda were honored as emerging leaders for their work in Little Village and across Chicago at the 2011 Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards.
Beyond Sport “Most Courageous Use of Sport” Award - Fall, 2010
Chosen from over 400 international sports-based youth development entities from 120 countries around the world, Beyond the Ball was the only U.S.-based award winner at the 2010 Beyond Sport Summit, an organization led by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair seeking excellence in using sport for social good.
Asked to address U.S. Congress at the Up 2 Us Summit - Fall, 2010
Beyond the Ball was invited to Washington D.C. as part of the Up 2 Us Summit to address Congress. Our very own Bitty Ball leader, ten year-old Miguel Leonardo (seated under the flags below), addressed both Houses regarding the impact Beyond the Ball has had on his life.
Community Builder of the Year - 2000
Rob and Amy Castañeda were honored by Mayor Richard M. Daley and the City of Chicago for standing up to gangs in the Little Village community.