The Southeast Bronx Youth Coalition Inc. located in New York, N.Y. has earned Gold Level status through USA Football’s League Excellence Program for the 2023 season.     

USA Football’s League Excellence Program is a way for youth football organizations to earn recognition for their commitment to raising operational standards and providing great environments for athletes and their families.    

The Southeast Bronx Youth Coalition Inc. offers tackle football at various age levels for athletes between seven years old and eighth grade. There is also a flag football program that runs for athletes six years old up through eighth grade.  

“Our league is a Grades to Play League,” said Edward Roldan, the program’s founder and a head coach. “School grades must be turned in, and that is the fee. We do not charge. Thirty percent of the kids we serve are homeless and come from socio-economically deprived backgrounds. We believe in ‘no child left behind due to inability to pay.’” 

The Southeast Bronx Youth Coalition Inc. helped form the A. Philip Randolph Tigers Youth Tackle Football Program several years ago. Roldan serves as a coach in the program. He began working in the youth football space nearly 30 years ago and continues working alongside a dedicated staff of volunteers and community leaders to create opportunities for young athletes.  

“Through hard work on and off the field, you can create opportunities that can improve your life,” said Roldan. “Learning and understanding the educational process from the earliest age possible will create choices for you that you can use to impact your future. We teach the process to our students and their parents at no cost.” 

Roldan and his program have benefited from USA Football’s League Excellence Program and Grants Program.  

“We have received numerous grants from USA Football,” said Roldan. “They have helped us educate our students, volunteers and coaches. They have allowed us to obtain the equipment needed to safely run our programs. The grants program has allowed us to train our staff and volunteers and increase awareness in the communities we serve. We have been able to provide lifesaving training to the communities we service. The grants have impacted all aspects of our program’s goal.” 

Roldan shared his thanks for the small businesses, local companies and corporations that sponsor Southeast Bronx Youth Coalition Inc. and keep its programs running. He also mentioned programs run in coordination with the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), Fuel Up and the Northeast Dairy Foods Association.  

“Our organization is a Community–Based Organization (CBO) that is inclusive of all the people that reside in the communities we serve and the businesses that serve our communities,” said Roldan. “Spreading awareness and education in the communities we serve has been key.” 

Roldan’s generosity and innovation have also been important for the community.  

Roldan implemented the Octavius Bacon 5 Step Leadership Program to serve as an educational model for success for students and families. Since its creation, more than $100,000 in sponsorship donations have been converted into student scholarships, allowing students to pursue their education by attending catholic schools, prep schools and private schools in the Tri-State Area.  

Congratulations to the Southeast Bronx Youth Coalition Inc. on another successful year and for earning Gold Level status.