SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – It’s called ‘The Urban Edge’ and its lead by Hall of Fame Football Coach Urban Meyer and the Sarasota Police Department. Meyer told ABC7 he and Police Chief Rex Troche spent the last six months planning the youth program. It is catered towards Sophomore and Junior Booker High School football players.
Through the program Meyer, other community leaders, and the Community Relations Unit at SPD will teach student athletes the necessary tools to get a job and how to take ownership of their lives.
Coach Meyer said the program focuses on five critical areas: Leadership, communication, fiscal responsibility, interpersonal skills, and career planning.
Meyer is teamed up with three students right now. He said that he takes them to jobs they are interested in, letting them get a “shadowing” experience, and learn their passion.
“Here’s the great lie: Someone tells you in this country you can’t do anything, they’re lying to you,” explained Meyer. “Someone says you can’t do this because you’re from this background, they’re lying to you,” said the coach. “In this country you can do whatever you want to do, get up earlier and work harder,” he added.
This is the first year of the program. It will run through July.
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