$5,000 payoff

COSTA MESA - Paul Salata, founder of Irrelevant Week, presented a

$5,000 check to the Orange County Youth Sports Foundation (OCYSF) in

recognition of the group’s longtime charitable support of community youth

athletic organizations and graduating high school scholar athletes.

The money represents part of the proceeds from the recent 25th annual

Irrelevant Week, a week-long celebration, which includes a banquet

honoring the last selection of the National Football League’s college

draft.

“One of the things we like about this is we raise money and give it to

groups like the OCYSF that knows where to spend it,” said Salata, a

resident of Linda Isle.

Following a sports career during which he played football at USC and

in the NFL, Salata became a businessman and has gained a reputation as a

raconteur, humorist and showman. He is one of the founders of the OCYSF,

which was established in 1971.

The group recently awarded $18,000 in scholarships to 12 graduating

high school seniors. Over the past 29 years the OCYSF has contributed

more than $700,000 for scholarships and to needy community youth sports

organizations.

“The money we’ve raised and handed out to needy youth sports groups in

Orange County, as well as our scholarships to prep scholar athletes

exists because of people like Paul Salata and many other dedicated

volunteers,” said OCYSF President Ken Purcell. “Many organizations have

benefited over the past 29 years.”

This year’s Irrelevant Week honored Michael Green of Northwestern

Louisiana State, who was the last player picked in the NFL Draft by the

Chicago Bears.