Smart Guy Rob Smith Honored by the JT Dorsey Foundation

We are proud of 'Smart Guy' Rob Smith, Vice President of Soccer Development and Relations for the Philadelphia Union who is being honored this week by the JT Dorsey Foundation with a 'Service Through Soccer' Award for his hard work in the community.  Smart guys give back!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 22, 2011

PHILADELPHIA UNION VICE PRESIDENT ROB SMITH AND HARRISBURG CITY ISLANDERS OWNER ERIC PETTIS RECEIVING ‘SERVICE THROUGH SOCCER’ AWARDS FROM THE JT DORSEY FOUNDATION DURING THE AUGUST 24^TH  MATCH BETWEEN THE TEAMS IN HARRISBURG, PA

Harrisburg, Pa. – The JT Dorsey Foundation’s 1st Annual JTDF Service through Soccer Award will be presented August 24th during a halftime ceremony at the Philly Union vs Harrisburg City Islanders game to Eric Pettis of the Harrisburg City Islanders and Rob Smith of the Philadelphia Union, in honor of their impactful work with young people and their communities. 

The JT Dorsey Foundation is committed to providing opportunities to expose youth, particularly those who have limited resources and services, to soccer and the positive youth development skills that come along with team sports and cooperative activities.  The organization firmly believes that soccer can be a developmental vehicle for life, and this experience is enhanced by the role models and dedicated coaches who graciously volunteer their time and services to help young people learn the sport and all of its life lessons. 

Two such role models are Eric Pettis and Rob Smith who have worked with and supported the organization since its inception. Rob and Eric have both provided opportunities for JTDF youth to attend both Union and Islander games and have provided equipment, resources and community partnerships to allow participants to learn valuable life skills while playing, coaching and officiating the game of soccer.  Rob and Eric’s involvement has model team work, good sportsmanship, and philanthropy to the teens participating in the JTDF, their families and their communities.

From its inception, the JT Dorsey Foundation has run on the core belief that every child, regardless of their origins or station in life, has potential and promise.  “Having community leaders support this belief and reach out again and again, year after year, asking what they can do to support youth development through soccer has allowed this program to grow so rapidly in a short amount of time.  Last year we served over 700 young people, exposing them to soccer and all of its life lessons.” Said JT Dorsey, founder of the organization.  “Rob and Eric not only support us with resources, they attend the events, meet the young people and make them feel valuable.  This award is a way to show them (Rob & Eric) how valuable they are to us and the young people in our communities.”

The awards will be given at halftime of the Union v. Islanders match on August 24^th.  The match will be the Union’s second appearance at City Island, after playing to a 1-1 draw on July 27, 2010.  The Union (www.philadelphiaunion.com) is expected to bring their full squad to the match, which will be a great treat for fans that support both organizations.  All tickets for the match, youth and adult, will be $15 general admission. Ages 3 and under are free. Tickets may be purchased at www.cityislanders.com or by calling 717-441-GOAL. Tickets will be limited; purchasing in advance is strongly recommended.

About the JT Dorsey Foundation:

The JT Dorsey Foundation currently offers programs for youth ages 5-16 located in Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon and York, Pennsylvania.  The JT Dorsey Foundation provides key youth development services that are lacking, but necessary, to underserved populations in those areas.  The JTDF model contains programs that address children and adolescent’s academic, physical, character, social and emotional needs. www.jtdorsey.org

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Behind Every Smart Man...

...A Tribute to My 'Moms'

I was raised by mom, a woman who put herself through college while raising four children. Growing up I realized that to get ahead you had to use your head. I knew that I wanted to be somebody that made a difference, I didn't know how or where I would make a difference, but I knew I had to expand my exposure to the world to figure it out.

I always knew that I wanted to play sports at the next level and often dreamed of what the success would feel like. I immersed myself in sports and became extremely passionate about soccer. Soccer opened up a new environment outside of my neighborhood, a neighborhood where cool was hanging on the corner. Somewhere along this journey I realized the importance of the lessons mom was instilling in me. She would tell me that I didn't have to settle that I could be and do whatever I wanted. She told me I needed to pay attention to my surroundings, that I needed to do the right thing even when no one was looking. She also told me that I had choices, that I needed to make education decisions about the directions I would choose and that I was a role model to my younger brothers and sisters.

My mom was an educator for 35 years and recognized the power of education, so she pushed me to maximize my potential in the classroom. I knew that if I didn't pass my classes that I would not have any chance to experience sports at the collegiate level. It wasn't until my college days that I fully realized that truly being smart was having a well-rounded education that would give me great opportunity to taste success beyond soccer and beyond college. I realized I was smarter than I thought and I also realized that being armed with a degree was not enough, I had to blend everything that I experienced into creating the guy that I wanted to be. Being smart included my mother's wisdom, my college education, my street smarts and my street credibility. I knew I did not know it all, but the multi-faceted education I had provided me with the confidence that I could learn anything, that my future would be full of new learning experiences, and that I would accomplish good things.

So here is what I know to be true: being smart is the confidence to dream big and then take the right steps to make those dreams happen. I am proud that I will pass on my knowledge to not only my own children, but the children I come in contact with in my community and my job, in hopes that as many children as possible will raise the bar and have 'a dream'.


Another Smart Fellow,
Smitty



Rob is a father, husband and community leader and advocate. He currently serves as the Philadelphia Union's Vice President of Soccer Development in Chester, PA. He has previously held positions as a coach and administrator for FC DELCO, one of the premiere soccer clubs in the nation, and as an executive for NIKE.