The late Jim Brown knew the impact recreation programs can have on a young person.

So when the former East Union High football coach had the opportunity in retirement to serve on a foundation aimed at making sure kids who couldn’t afford Manteca Parks and Recreation programs were still able to participate he jumped at the chance.

“I would like to see that all boys and girls who live in Manteca have the opportunity to participate in recreation programs,” Brown wrote in November 2008 on his application to serve on the Friends of Manteca Parks and Recreation Foundation.

Brown’s dedication to youth is why the foundation opted to rename its annual golf tournament in his honor. The Jim Brown Memorial Swing for Youth Golf Tournament takes place on Friday, July 22, at the Manteca Golf Course. The tee time is 7:30 a.m.

There is an $85 per player entry fee for the reverse shotgun four-person best-ball scramble. Foursomes are $320. The deadline to register is 5 p.m. Monday. Contact the Manteca Parks and Recreation Department at 456-8600 for entry information.

The fee covers use of golf cart, continental breakfast, course beverages, snacks, goodie bag, and lunch from Chez Shari.

There will be raffle drawing, a hole-in-one prize, long drive prizes for men and women and closet to the pin prizes for men and women. Among the raffle prizes is golf play at Spring Creek Golf Course, Trinitas Golf Club, Green Horn Golf Course, Brookside Country Club, Diablo Grande Golf Course and Stevenson Ranch Golf Course.

Foundation events such as the golf tournament allow upwards of 500 youth a year to participate in recreation programs that otherwise would not have had the opportunity.

Brown passed away in April of this year. He served for more than 30 years as a teacher and football coach at Manteca schools.

His football record was 78-95-1. Brown also helped deliver three Lancer Valley Oak League football championships in 1981, 1982 and 1989.

Brown was inducted into the 2009 Manteca High Hall of Fame in the field of education.

He moved from Oklahoma in 1962 when he signed a teaching contract with the Manteca Elementary School District. He taught for three years in the seventh and eighth grade at Golden West School. While at Golden West School he helped start the summer Head Start program for the district.

In 1968, Brown transferred to Manteca High where he initially taught in the then new continuation education program. He taught in the program through 1970. He then joined the main teaching staff at Manteca High teaching math, driver’s training, and health classes. He coached for the Buffaloes from 1971 through 1981.

Brown transferred to East Union in 1981 to teach math and physical education along with the head football job. He stayed at East Union High for 17 years before retiring in 1998.

He had eight Valley Oak League championships under his belt including three as the head sophomore coach at Manteca High, two as varsity assistant coach at Manteca High, and three as head football coach at East Union. Brown’s teams made it to five section play-offs and made it to the finals twice.

The weight room at East Union High is named the “Jim C. Brown Fitness Center” in his honor.