LAROSA’S TO CELEBRATE HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS “GAME CHANGERS” IN NEW EFFORT
Program To Recognize Contributions Beyond The Scoreboard
CINCINNATI, OHIO – September 10, 2025 – LaRosa’s, a longstanding supporter of local high school athletics, is introducing the Game Changers program to recognize the many individuals who make important contributions to high school athletics—beyond those that appear on the scoreboard or the stat sheet. The program is sponsored by The LaRosa Family Foundation.
For over 50 years, LaRosa’s recognized current high school standout athletes in the Athlete of the Week program, later called LaRosa’s MVP. Game Changers reimagines the MVP program by recognizing a wider range of individuals—athletes, coaches, parents, managers, volunteers, trainers, teachers, administrators, and more—who are making a difference in high school athletics.
“We appreciate the many ways that high school sports inspire our communities,” said Mike LaRosa, CEO of LaRosa’s Inc., “From the players who always give 110 percent, to teachers who bring out the best in scholar-athletes, to volunteers who generously share their time. High school sports is about so much more than just the score, so we have evolved our MVP program to honor the collaborative efforts of the many individuals who contribute to athletic success.”
Each month, The LaRosa Family Foundation will celebrate one Game Changer who leads with integrity, supports their teams selflessly, gives back to their communities, and inspires others through heart and hustle. The deadline for the first Game Changer MVP nominations is Tuesday, September 30, 2025. Nominations can be submitted online at https://www.larosasfamilyfoundation.org/GameChangerMVP.
LaRosa’s tradition of supporting local high school athletics originated in 1973, when a fire severely damaged the original Boudinot restaurant and jeopardized the survival of the company.
When cleanup work began a week later, faculty, coaches, students and athletes from Western Hills, Elder and Oak Hills high schools pitched in to help founder Buddy LaRosa rebuild and ultimately reopen the pizzeria in 45 days. To honor their unselfish outpouring of support, Buddy established the Buddy LaRosa’s High School Sports Hall of Fame and began recognizing an Athlete of the Week all through the school year in 1975.
“Our hope is that Game Changers will encourage schools to nominate their unsung heroes to give them the recognition they deserve,” said Mike LaRosa.
Each month’s honoree will receive a Game Changer certificate and be spotlighted on LaRosa’s website and social media. In addition, each Game Changer will be recognized with a photo or plaque at their local LaRosa’s pizzeria.
The LaRosa Family Foundation supports programs and activities dedicated to the development of youth and adolescents through athletics, education and life-skill development. The Foundation was formed in 2020 to celebrate Buddy’s 90th birthday and to ensure his legacy of community involvement.
For more information on the Game Changers program sponsored by The LaRosa Family Foundation or to nominate a Game Changer, please visit https://larosafamilyfoundation.org/gamechangermvp/.
About LaRosa's
LaRosa’s Family Pizzeria was founded in 1954 on Cincinnati’s West Side by Buddy LaRosa. It is now a $176 million restaurant company with 60 pizzerias serving neighborhoods in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. To learn more about LaRosa’s, go to http://www.larosas.com.
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