The benefits of playing sports has been lauded throughout time. Establishing and accomplishing a goal (winning), has often been the focus with little attention drawn to the skills that make goals a reality. The Athlife Foundation recognizes how important and transferable these skills are and makes it their mission to provide middle school and high school student athletes a chance to do just that. Student-Athlete Leadership Day March 11 showcases these skills.

The AthLife Foundation is a national 501c(3) nonprofit organization originally established in Long Island City, NY in the spring of 2010. Grounded in the research and philosophy of Positive Youth Development through Sport, the mission is fueled by an unwavering belief in human potential. Athletic success should not end with “Friday night lights” but can continue in adult leadership roles both professionally and personally.

What are these “transferable skills?” AthLife Executive Director, Vice President Jeff McCann (‘88 Freedom HS) explains the skills as being confidence, discipline, focus, drive and resilience. “AthLife helps student athletes develop strategies for balancing academics, athletics, and life.” McCann further explains the program as “high school student athletes lead workshops for middle school athletes. The topics are leadership, goal setting, team culture, and the transition to high school athletics.” The progression continues with “High school students attending leadership sessions led by nationally recognized speakers and student-athlete development experts.”

Additionally, five student-athletes from area high schools have taken on the unique role as Student-Athlete Co-Chairs. These students are Anthony DePasqua, Pocono Mountain West HS class of 2026, Eva Madeira, Liberty HS class of 2027, Lily Medaska, Liberty class of 2027, Nicholas Schenkel, Liberty class of 2026, Ana Yuter and Pocono Mountain West class of 2026. These students play a critical role in helping to plan and coordinate the event while mentoring younger student-athletes. Madeira and Medaska both said, “It’s an honor to be part of this program… we’ve gone full circle from attendees to co-chairs, its amazing.”

High school students are mentored by professionals in secondary education, called Academic Athletic Coach. The Academic Athletic Coach works year-round to create high impact programming, tapping into a student’s passion for their sport and athletics, and directs that drive toward academic achievement and post high school success.

Student presenters from local schools were Freedom HS’s Kate Assad (Girls Basketball, 2026) Payton Besecker (Girls Basketball & Softball, 2027) Brian Renshaw (Football & Baseball, 2026) and Liberty’s Ellis Corr (Lacrosse, 2026) Christian Contakes (Football, 2026), William Reece (Football, 2026) and Roberto Nieto (Football, 2027). Renshaw said that he, “100 percent supports this program, like many of his peers he was first exposed as an attendee but found the event so helpful he stayed with it and became a presenter.”

Attendance at this event hosted at Moravian University, with support from St. Luke’s Sports Medicine, included 200 students from all four of Bethlehem’s middle schools, both Liberty and Freedom, Phillipsburg HS and both Pocono East and West. A collegiate student-athlete panel discussion featured alumni from Lafayette College and current student-athletes from Moravian University, moderated by therapist and life coach Brit Kohli, CRC, LPC. Kohli encourages athlete wellness, team support, and performance-based growth.

The 2026 Professional Presenter was Jeremiah Brown, who is a former NFL athlete turned award-winning speaker and career-ready leadership consultant. Brit Kohli, CRC, LPC., Brandon Floyd assistant athletic director of student-athlete development at Vanderbilt, Brynn McNamara, formerly Seidenstricker, Moravian University Assistant Director of Athletics in August 2021, and currently is Associate Athletic Director for Student Experience. Nahjee Adams, a dedicated collegiate student-athlete originally from Easton, Emma Pukszyn is a Sophomore on the Moraivan Women’s Basketball team at Moravian University, and Mael Tshiyonga. a junior attending Moravian University.