In November 2007, I saw a late night news clip about an inner city youth football team who had won a state championship and were fundraising to get to Florida! I was very moved by this compelling story and the two young men being interviewed along with their head coach and team mom. The team of 11-14 year old’s had to practice on a field filled with bumps and holes and no lights!
I contacted the head coach, and volunteered to help them fund raise! Initially, they needed $6,000 and they had 2 weeks to raise it! I met with the coaches several nights later when they told me they needed $24,000 and had five days to raise the money! They had $200.00 in their bank account! After a massive public relations campaign, media blitz and concerted team fundraising effort, the team had $35,000 in their bank account five days later. When the team came back they asked me to join the Board and help run the program. I was hooked! I fell in love with these young men many of whom had never been out of Baltimore or Maryland or had never been to a beach. They had never experienced experiential learning.
Immediately recognizing that sports was the platform, I was determined to help these young athletes learn critical life skills, improve their grades and learn the core values of integrity, honor, character, honesty and respect!