CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox gave the floor Tuesday to six members of their Amateur City Elite program to sign letters of intent to play baseball at the college level.

The ACE program, which is run in conjunction with the White Sox, is comprised of 11 travel baseball teams with players from under 12 to 18 years old, all of whom are talent from the inner-city. The program is a pride and joy of executive vice president Kenny Williams, given that it directly impacts the immediate area.

“There are so many people that work so hard, from their parents to teachers to principals, and not to mention all the coaches that put in all the work, to help get these guys to the point to where they can sit at a table and sign a letter of intent to go to college,” Williams said. “Many of them, I’m sure, just a few short years ago probably could not visualize this. It’s an honor for the White Sox to be part of the growth process, and we look forward to seeing what they have for the future.”

Players from the program who signed letters of intent Tuesday include Jackson Edwards of Hope Academy, who will attend Judson University; Jamar McKinney of Simeon Career Academy, who will attend Chicago State University; Jalin McMillan of Simeon Career Academy, who will attend the University of Illinois; Lavezz Middleton of Marion Catholic, who will attend Bucknell University; Nelson Munoz of Mt. Carmel Academy, who will attend Grambling State University; and Torrium Towers of Harlan Academy, who will attend Claflin University.

Since the start of the White Sox's ACE program, 85 athletes have received athletic aid to play college baseball. A total of 14 of those players have been selected in the major league draft. Nine members of the 2014 United States-champion Jackie Robinson Little League team from the South Side of Chicago are members of the program.

“[ACE] has evolved with our teachings, and not just paying attention to the baseball side of things but the character-building side of things,” Williams said. “To hear them talk about their possibilities in life and the focus on their education, it’s really heartwarming. It’s a result of a lot of hard work. It goes back to that it takes a village, and this program has been a shining example of what a village can do.”