Hendrick Automotive Group, headquartered in Charlotte, has come on board as an official sponsor of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools athletics and is making a direct, $250,000 contribution to allow middle schools in the system to offer a complete sports program for the 2011-12 academic year.

Due to budget cuts, CMS had announced plans to reduce the number of middle school sports offered this year. The Hendrick sponsorship, combined with a contribution from an unidentified donor, provides the amount necessary to fund a full lineup of 13 sports at all 32 middle schools for more than 6,500 students taking part in programs throughout the district.

“We believe sports play a crucial role in students’ education and development,” Hugh Hattabaugh, CMS interim superintendent, says. “Hendrick Automotive Group’s generous support is a great example of how the support of local businesses can make an enormous difference in the lives of children.”

The agreement designates HendrickCars.com as an official sponsor of all the district’s athletic programs, which involve participation by more than 16,000 students. The agreement gives the company naming rights of statistics announced at high school athletic events, recognition as a title partner in announcements at the end of high school events and signage that will be displayed at high school and middle school athletic sites.

The money contributed will be used for coaching stipends and to cover transportation fees and other costs associated with conducting sporting events. Students will still be required to pay some sports participation fees, introduced last year by CMS at the middle school and high school level.

“As someone who participated in sports growing up and has kids who played, I understand the impact those experiences can have on young people,” says Rick Hendrick. chairman of the company. “We feel this sponsorship fits with our company values, and we’re proud to be associated with everyone who makes it possible for these student-athletes to be successful.”