One student. One Pitch. One Dream at a Time.
Today, Josh Garcia is a professional soccer player for OKC Energy FC.
More importantly, he is a college graduate.
In the environment Josh grew up in, it’s more common for kids to become statistics than college graduates. In fact, Josh was well on his way to living out this stereotype. He was skipping class, getting into trouble, hanging out with the wrong crowd.
Without soccer, I couldn’t tell you who I’d be or where I’d be.
But then he found soccer.
Soccer gave him something productive to focus his energy on. His team gave him new friends to hang out with. The more time he spent on the pitch, the less time he spent juggling negative relationships and influences.
For Josh, the big breakthrough came during his junior year when college coaches started contacting him. He realized soccer was going to allow him to do what his environment said he couldn’t – graduate college.
As fate would have it, Josh’s soccer career has brought him full circle, back to Oklahoma City where he is a volunteer coach for his alma mater, U.S. Grant High School.
If we can change the culture, we can change the world.
Alongside community leaders, Energy FC, and organizations like Fields & Futures, Josh is showing young players what’s possible when they find a pitch and a team.
But instead of focusing on kicking and passing, he’s inspiring them to score a college degree.
On the many playing fields rehabilitated and maintained by Fields & Futures, young men and women are able to learn invaluable life lessons and receive the guidance, mentorship, and positive influences missing from their lives.
To learn more and find out how you can help, please visit FieldsandFutures.org or email info@fieldsandfutures.org.
