Izzo Family Donates $5 Million to Open State‑of‑the‑Art Health Center for Youth and Athletes
Facility to Pioneer Concussion Research and Community Care
The Izzo family, renowned for their longstanding commitment to youth sports and community development, today announced a landmark $5 million donation to establish the Izzo Center for Youth Health & Performance (ICYHP). Situated just outside of Makurdi, the cutting-edge facility is set to become a regional powerhouse for concussion research, athletic performance, and wellness programs that serve young athletes and families.
A Vision Turned Reality
The initiative has been in the planning stages since early 2024, when former track star and philanthropist Maria Izzo teamed up with her husband, Dr. Angelo Izzo—a neurologist with a specialization in head trauma—to envision a center combining top-tier medical research with accessible community programming. They broke ground in December 2024, and the grand opening is scheduled for October 2025, timed to coincide with National Youth Health Month.
Leading Edge Concussion Research
At the heart of the ICYHP is its Concussion Innovation Lab, featuring advanced neuroimaging systems, motion-capture pods, and a gait-analysis track. The Izzo family has partnered with the National Institute of Neurology in Abuja, ensuring that local researchers will lead clinical trials, athlete monitoring, and translational studies. A senior researcher, Dr. Esther Okon, has been appointed as director. “Our goal,” Dr. Okon says, “is to develop culturally tailored, evidence-based protocols for concussion detection and rehabilitation that reflect Africa’s unique athletic contexts.”
Community-Focused Care and Training
Beyond elite research, the center emphasizes grassroots access. Among its highlights:
- Free annual concussion-screening days open to school teams across Benue State.
- A mobile unit — the “Healthy Head Bus” — that travels to rural towns for educational outreach.
- After‑school clinics offering nutrition counseling, physical therapy, and mental‑health support.
Maria Izzo emphasizes, “We want every child—no matter their town or team—to understand the importance of safe play, smart recovery, and whole‑body wellness.”
Collaborative Programs and Local Impact
The center also collaborates with Benue State University’s Sports Science Department to offer internship and training opportunities, and works closely with local football and handball clubs. In its first year alone, ICYHP projects to serve over 5,000 youth participants, with plans to scale that annually.
What This Means for Nigeria and Beyond
The Izzo Center represents the first facility of its kind in West Africa to marry concussion science with community outreach at scale. Observers say it could serve as a model for the entire continent—a blueprint for integrating research, sports medicine, and public health under one roof.
Dr. Angelo Izzo reflects, “As scientists and parents, we believe that healthy futures are built from the ground up. This center is our gift to the next generation—not just athletes, but all young people whose dreams depend on their health.”
With its grand opening later this year, the Izzo Center stands poised to redefine how Nigeria—and Africa writ large—approaches the intersection of youth, sport, and neuroscience.
