A good sign: Coplay Borough Council to be urged to honor Saquon Barkley

COPLAY, Pa. — How does a community honor one of its own whose altruism defines him as much as his phenomenal athletic feats?

Well, there are signs.

In this case, a street sign.

At the Coplay Borough Council meeting on Tuesday night, Whitehall Township Commissioner Alberta J. Scarfaro will propose a resolution to dedicate a street in honor of former Whitehall-Coplay High School football star and current Philadelphia Eagle Saquon Barkley.

Scarfaro, who is a board member of the Michael Ann & Saquon Barkley Hope Foundation, is proposing the erecting of a sign at Second and Chestnut streets that reads “Saquon Barkley Boulevard.”

The street sign location was chosen because that intersection is where Barkley grew up while attending school.

Scarfaro will urge council to add a sign in honor of Barkley, not rename the street.

“As a proud member of this community, I believe it is time to honor an individual who has not only excelled in their professional field but has also graciously given back to our community in numerous ways and continues to enrich the lives of our youth and underserved communities,” Scarfaro said in her resolution letter.

Commitments, generosity

At Whitehall, Barkley rushed for 3,646 yards with 63 touchdowns in his final three seasons, including more than 1,800 yards as a senior in the 2014 season.

He was named a high school All-American. He was rated a four-star recruit and committed to Penn State, where he became an All-American and a first-round draft choice of the New York Giants in 2018.

Scarfaro will urge borough council to place the resolution on its agenda for a vote at its public meeting on Tuesday, July 9.

In her resolution letter, Scarfaro listed Barkley’s commitments and generosity to his community, including donations to Whitehall-Coplay School District for academics and athletics, funding youth camps and local food giveaways, and being a leader and encouraging young adults and our youth by his leadership.

Since its founding in 2000, the Barkley Hope Foundation has assisted thousands of families in local communities and in underserved communities in New York and New Jersey.

The events include coat and backpack giveaways, Thanksgiving meal events, Christmas and holiday giveaways and assisting those living in homeless camps.

Barkley regularly visits children in local hospitals and adopts families in the community throughout the year, Scarfaro said.

'Who he was at his core'

Barkley’s foundation also partners with organizations that support children and young adults who are experiencing homelessness and have incarcerated parents.

The foundation has partnered with Athlife, which assists athletes attending Whitehall-Coplay School District with tutoring and other assistance when needed.

Others who have benefitted from the Barkley Hope Foundation are the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Lehigh Valley, The Miracle League, elementary schools, the Salvation Army and other youth sports leagues across the Lehigh Valley.

“I have known Saquon since he was very young,” Scarfaro said. “I had the opportunity to see him grow up through his teen years, as he and my daughter were best friends and still are to this day.

“Spending time with Saquon, I knew that the whirlwind of stardom and fame that was about to enter his life would not change who he was at his core.”

Scarfaro said she believes the street sign would commemorate Barkley’s legacy in the Coplay community.

“This gesture would not only serve as a perpetual reminder of his invaluable contributions, but also inspire current and future generations to emulate his commitment to service and community," she said.