WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — More than 3,000 student-athletes across the Lehigh Valley are receiving academic counseling support thanks, in part, to the Philadelphia Eagles' Saquon Barkley, who plays in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday.
The effort is headed up by the AthLife Foundation, an Easton-based nonprofit that works to help student-athletes by providing academic support.
Through grant funding, the foundation trains what it calls ''Academic Athletic Coaches,'' and stations them at schools.
The AthLife Foundation, which works with schools around the U.S., has academic counselors locally stationed in 11 high schools and 10 middle schools across the greater Lehigh Valley and the Poconos.
Recent financial support for Lehigh Valley programs came from the Michael Ann and Saquon Barkley Hope Foundation, St. Luke's University Health Network, and grants from area lawmakers including state Reps. Jeanne McNeill, Mike Schlossberg and Peter Schweyer.
AthLife co-founder Jeff McCann says Barkley, a 2015 graduate of Whitehall High School, has strong ties to the region.
''Having someone of the stature of Saquon Barkley, who is endeared to his high school and his community, it's just amazing," said McCann. "He's the embodiment of the student athlete ideal. In every phase of his life, from high school to Penn State University to now his professional career, he's an incredible role model.''
"We want students to develop skills that allow them to feel confident when they're not on the court or on the field."Jeff McCann, AthLife Foundation co-founder
McCann says the crux of the program is training ''academic athletic coaches" who are placed in schools and work with student-athletes throughout the school year.
"They're equal parts counselor, advisor, mentor, sometimes parental figure, and overall champion for the student," explained McCann.
He's hopeful more school's will sign on to the AthLife program.
"We want students to develop skills that allow them to feel confident when they're not on the court or on the field," McCann said. "Our mentors cultivate student-athlete development on a holistic level, to better prepare them for post high school and career success."
You can learn more about The AthLife Foundation at this link.
WLVR's Megan Frank interviewed AthLife Foundation co-founder Jeff McCann. Listen by clicking the audio above.
