2025 Bill Ford Scholars honored as CYO director retires after 47 years

Approximately a half million young people have benefitted from Bill Ford’s vision of youth ministry through sports. After directing the Oakland Diocese’s Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) sports program for almost half a century, Ford retired June 30, after overseeing the final class of Bill Ford Scholars. 

Ford always emphasized the importance of the Catholic aspect of CYO in his 47 years as director: Participants pray before games, meets and matches, and players were encouraged to stand next to a player of the opposing team during prayer. His leadership inspired an anonymous donor to create the Bill Ford Scholarships. 

The CYO Bill Ford Scholarship honors rising freshmen who exemplify active participation in CYO athletics, an understanding of good sportsmanship and an exhibition of Gospel values. 

Four young people were awarded the $1,000 scholarship on June 28. 

The 2025 recipients are Evan Baraan, Kayla de Leon, Micah Long and Lex Magpoc. Selected excerpts from each recipient’s essay on the impact of CYO on their lives are shared below: 

Four rising freshmen received the Bill Ford CYO scholarship recently. The recipients, holding their certificate, include Lex Magpoc, left,, Micah Long and Kayla de Leon, along with their families and the scholarship committee. The fourth scholarship winner, Evan Baraan, was not present. (Photo courtesy CYO) “CYO has deepened my relationship with God. Starting each game with a prayer reminded me that sports are more than just competition – they’re about purpose, gratitude and uplifting those around me. The moment of prayer before each race or game grounded me and gave me perspective.” -Evan Baraan attended St. John Catholic School, San Lorenzo and will attend Bishop O’Dowd High School in the fall. 

 “Sportsmanship is one of the most important qualities about playing, and it can be shown in numerous ways, like picking someone up when they are down, or cheering on your team when things aren't going as planned. I try my best to exhibit sportsmanship not only toward my teammates but opposing teams as well. As a Catholic community, prayer before games truly helps me to know that God is watching over the teams and is guiding and protecting us.” -Kayla de Leon attended St. Joseph Elementary School, Alameda, and will attend St. Joseph Notre Dame High School in the fall. 

 “CYO taught me that ‘staying in my lane’ means more than just following the rules of a sport. It means staying true to my values, my faith, and the path that God has set out for me, not just on the field, but also in my daily life. CYO taught me the power of faith, discipline, teamwork, camaraderie, sportsmanship, trust in God, and gratitude for the journey that has brought me to where I am today.” -Micah Long attended Holy Spirit School, Fremont, and will attend Notre Dame San Jose in the fall. 

 “Because of CYO, I learned that life’s virtues weighed more than winning. Running cross country taught me perseverance. Cross country pictures what life can be – it has ups and downs, I must overcome the challenges I’m facing whether it is uphill or downhill. I’ve learned to be confident, humble and sportsmanship playing basketball against skilled players. Most of all, CYO taught me that the game is not over until the buzzer sounds or until I cross the finish line, I must not give up.” -Lex Magpoc attended St. Francis of Assisi School, Concord, and will attend De La Salle High School in the fall.