Camp of Champions
For the past four years, the Steelers have joined Elizabeth Forward School District at the annual Camp of Champions, which is a football and cheer camp for more than 200 students who are in life skills programs in 20 area high schools. Steelers players join the students at various football drills and also teach and judge the final and most popular station of the day - the Touchdown Celebration Station.
High School Sports and Concussions
The Steelers and UPMC have hosted an event since 2015 to talk to athletic directors, coaches, and athletic trainers about sports-related injuries including overuse injuries and concussions. Believed to be the first of its kind in professional football, special guest speakers have included Head Coach Mike Tomlin, Head Athletic Trainer John Norwig, Merril Hoge, and NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
High School Wall of Fame Display
To celebrate the passion of high school football in Western Pennsylvania, the Steelers and UPMC have created the WPIAL Champions Wall inside the main concourse at Heinz Field. The display features framed jerseys, team rosters and newspaper articles form the current WPIAL Championship games. It also showcases the history of championships played at Heinz Field since 2001 and Riddell mini-helmet for all of the area high school teams.
High School Coach of the Week
One of our longer running programs to honor area high school coaches for their work on and off the field, this award goes to ten weekly winners and one Coach of the Year. The weekly winners receive a framed certificate, Steelers Coach of the Week cap and a grant for $1,000 for their program; while the Coach of the Year honoree receives a $2,000 grant.
Don Shula Coach of the Year
Each year, the Steelers name a Don Shula Coach of the Year honoree, an award which represents the best of the best at the high school level. These coaches are nominated for the national award, named for the winningest coach in NFL history, for their character and integrity, leadership and dedication to the community, commitment to player health and safety and on-field success. The Don Shula Award nominees from all 32 NFL teams are invited and recognized in special ways during the NFL's week-long celebration of football at the Pro Bowl. The coaches participate in a special coaches' clinic, enjoy a VIP visit to Pro Bowl practices and attend the USA Football National Conference.
WPIAL Championships at Heinz Field
The Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) is District 7 of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) and the Steelers host four WPIAL Championships at Heinz Field each November. Fans pack Heinz Field each fall to crown the new champions, which is a preseason goal for most high school football players and coaches.
City League and WPIAL Champions
Each year, the Steelers welcome and honor all WPIAL and City League Champions at Heinz Field for a game. The teams have their photos taken on the field during pregame warmups, enjoy the game, and receive a congratulations banner from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Best of the Batch
Each summer, we welcome the WPIAL Best of the Batch preseason all-star team during pregame of one of our preseason games at Heinz Field. Twenty players join the All-Star selectors from Champs Sports Network and former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch.