National Conference

Kowalski Robinson Scholarship Awarded to Top Student Athletes

Easton, PA (September 29, 2016) The AthLife Foundation announced that 15 student athletes from eight different high schools were awarded the Kowalski Robinson Youth Inspire Scholarship for the 2016-2017 academic year. In the spring of 2014, the AthLife Foundation’s national network established the scholarship fund for deserving student-athletes, who have made an impact in their respective schools and surrounding community. Three award recipients shared their academic-athletic success journeys at the AthLife Foundation’s National Conference in Philadelphia in July.

“It’s with great honor and privilege that we recognize all of our student athlete awardees,”  said AthLife President and CEO Jon Harris. “Though this fund, we continue to honor the legacy of two prominent influencers in the sport and player development industry in Tom Kowalski and Stacy Robinson.”

Tariq Jarrah from Loius E. Dieruff High School (Allentown, PA), spoke about his experience playing football and the impact his academic-athletic coach had on his success, which has led him to pursue a collegiate career at Lehigh University. At the 2016 AthLife Youth Inspire Awards Reception, Tariq stated, “I was so proud to be selected for something like this, for people that are motivated, and have that much passion, and have that much desire to get things done to help student athletes across the world.”

Graduate from Park East High School (Manhattan, NY), Foxae Foster, who is attending SUNY Cortland said, “Some people feel that doing sports, it lags you down, and you can’t do it anymore. But, actually it helps you push. Because if you really love it, and you want to pursue that sport, you know what you have to do academically.”

Also joining Jarrah and Foster was Todgenay Roseboro, graduate of Urban Dove Team Charter High School (Brooklyn, NY). The three representatives from the Class of 2016 shared the awards reception stage with two former NFL players, Will Allen from the Pittsbrugh Steelers, and current NFLPA player Affairs and Development Director, Zamir Cobb.  Both received the annual AthLife Youth Inspire Award for their community work and volunteerism.

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AthLife Youth Inspire Award Recognizes NFL Player and NFLPA Director

Will Allen and Zamir Cobb Highlight an Evening of Inspiration to Communities

Philadelphia, PA (July 13, 2016) – The AthLife Foundation presented Ohio State University Alumnus and former Pittsburgh Steelers Safety, Will Allen, along with Temple University Alumnus and former Arizona Cardinal Wide Receiver, Zamir Cobb, with the organization’s 2016 AthLife Youth Inspire Award. This special recognition took place at the AthLife Foundation’s 7th Annual Conference Reception, on Thursday, July 14th, at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel in Philadelphia, PA.

AthLife, a national leader in providing career development, education, and life skill services to current and former professional athletes, created the charitable AthLife Foundation in 2010. The Foundation serves as a launch pad for underperforming high schools that traditionally serve students from challenged communities, to build high impact programs that drive academic achievement and bright futures beyond the athletic arena.

In 2014, AthLife initiated the social media campaign #MoreThan to promote the abundance of positive stories about athletes and athletic organizations. The AthLife Youth Inspire Award was subsequently established to publicly honor those that have truly embraced their status as elite athletes to impact their community.

Allen launched the Will Allen Foundation in 2008, with the mission to provide programs and resources to instill hope, remove barriers, promote education, advocate civic responsibility, and change lives. “I’ve always had someone in my life speak positive things over me, encourage me and empower me with wisdom and knowledge, and they did it for free,” he said. “How can I not reciprocate that?”

Cobb, who now serves as the Player Affairs and Development Director at the NFLPA, is well known for promoting participatory volunteerism which encompasses giving time, and being truly present. “I think what the kids can learn from me is that no matter what the circumstance is, what situation you find yourself in, how big the wall or how strong the barrier, at some point you’ll get a break and your situation won’t always be so hopeless,” Cobb explained.

The night also reconginzed contributions to the AthLife Foundation National platform, the schools it serves, and the student athletes.

 

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