Baytown youth football team gave Academy Sports and Outdoors a shopping spree after team trailer was stolen

BAYTOWN – A youth sports organization marked big Wednesday with a shopping spree to help replace thousands of dollars worth of stolen workout gear, concession equipment and other items.

“The support we’ve gotten has been amazing, and it’s certainly exceeded our expectations,” said Courtney Correa, president of the Baytown Youth Sports Association.

Members of the Baytown Broncos, along with their parents, were surprised with a $5,000 shopping spree Wednesday by Academy Sports and Outdoors.

The store welcomed the team to its Baytown location to get everything they needed days after someone took off with the organization’s trailer, which had been loaded with equipment and supplies he took the team seven years to buy.

“We were devastated when we found out the league had lost everything, all the practice equipment, so we knew we wanted to give back,” said Academy spokesman Tyler Summrall.

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The parents said the generosity the organization has received since Saturday, including money raised through a GoFundMe account, has helped them heal.

“It was really devastating to know that someone had done this to the kids,” said Shante Samuel, parent and publicity coordinator for the Baytown Broncos.

Baytown police are investigating the theft. A neighbor’s surveillance video showed a truck taking off with the trailer on Saturday morning. The parents were tipped on Wednesday, driving them to the Highlands where they found the trailer, which had been emptied of everything they had stored inside.

Over 200 students are members of the Baytown Broncos. As some of them filled shopping carts with tents, helmets and other much-needed items, they also expressed their thanks for the kindness they received.

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“It feels good,” said Cameron, a member of the Baytown Broncos.