Football players at Douglass have a full-time academic coach this fall helping them not just to improve their grades, but to navigate the requirements for college admission.
The 1st and Goal program is a pilot initiative designed by the Family League of Baltimore. Douglass received a grant from NFL Player Engagement to fund the program, which focuses on improving all aspects of student athletes' lives.
Douglass athletic director Tina Queen said she hopes to expand the program next fall to include all sports, but because more student athletes play football than any other sport at the school, the 1st and Goal program is expected to have an immediate impact.
"Our school already has some programs as far as at-school tutoring and blitz classes for HAS (High School Assessment test)," Queen said. "[The academic coach's] job is to monitor every student’s GPA, their test scores, what is needed to move them in the right direction."
The school will formally kick off its 1st and Goal program Thursday at 11 a.m with a ceremony on the Ducks’ new artificial turf field. Principal Antonio Hurt will welcome Harry Swayne, a former Raven representing the NFL; Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake; and Jonathan Rondeau, president and CEO of the Family League.
Michelle Harper, the academic coach, will work with the players keep them on track to graduate and help those who want to play college football reach that goal. The Ducks are 3-0 this season after qualifying for the regional playoffs last fall for only the second time in school history.
The school will formally kick off its 1st and Goal program Thursday at 11 a.m with a ceremony on the Ducks’ new artificial turf field. Principal Antonio Hurt will welcome Harry Swayne, a former Raven representing the NFL; Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake; and Jonathan Rondeau, president and CEO of the Family League.
Michelle Harper, the academic coach, will work with the players keep them on track to graduate and help those who want to play college football reach that goal. The Ducks are 3-0 this season after qualifying for the regional playoffs last fall for only the second time in school history.
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