In 2016, The Five Star Heart Collegiate Student Athlete Mentor Program was established to build relationships among middle school youth and those who have chosen the path of GRIT over the path of QUIT, our collegiate student athletes. Since the program’s inception, 115+ local middle school football players successfully completed this dynamic, incentive-based development program over the years with collegiate student athletes serving as mentors.

From 2017 to 2019, over 90+ Five Star Heart mentor program middle school student athletes EARNED their trip to Dabo Swinney’s Clemson University Football Camp for three days of football, inspiration, and brotherhood. Clemson’s football program sets the STANDARD for all camps as kids work, compete, and listen to stories of determination and dedication from the Tigers’ players and coaches throughout the entire camp. In addition to Clemson’s coaching staff leading drills, Clemson players also lead the drills and serve as coaches of flag football teams throughout the camp. Kids are also afforded with the opportunity to tour Clemson’s state-of-the-art football facilities, eat like kings for a week, and observe the Tigers GRIND during summer morning workouts. In June of 2022, we returned to Clemson University with a class of fifteen (15) middle school student athletes after being sidelined as a result of the pandemic. We are determined to return to Clemson once again in the summer of 2026.

Mentorship Program Overview & Objectives

Local collegiate football players are selected on an annual basis to influence, inspire, and energize upwards of thirty (30) middle school student athletes to approach academics, football, and life with a "5-Star Heart" never quit mindset and work ethic.

Our objective is to provide a wholistic platform of impact which incorporates relationship building / team building, self-reflection, community service, and athletic performance programming all designed to empower the next generation to reach their academic and athletic aspirations as productive citizens of character. Student athletes shall define their short-term and long-term goals as we will infuse a sense of fortitude and humbled confidence which will enable them to overcome adversity and ACHIEVE. They will be challenged to choose the path of GRIT over the path of QUIT. The year-round mentor program includes the following activities:

• Monthly Leadership/mentoring sessions: Our monthly mentor sessions held at a local university or the YMCA of Bethlehem are designed to bring all walks-of-life together and drive home the lessons of football that transcend beyond the game.  All participating student athletes shall receive a copy of Jon Gordon's inspirational book Training Camp and its corresponding workbook The Playbook that serves as the foundation of our programming. Student athletes have the opportunity to form lasting relationships with their respective mentors in small group breakout sessions and team building exercises.  We host motivational speakers and careers nights in partnership with Lehigh Valley Health Network and other corporations as we provide a line-of-sight to success for our student athletes. Lastly, Five Star Heart's staff and mentors also lead group runs, speed/agility sessions, and football skills sessions designed to build confidence and camaraderie among the student athletes. Five Star Heart always provides food for all participants and contributors to enjoy.

• Community Service Days-Of-Caring: It is essential for us to show our student athletes the importance of "giving back."  Student athletes are required to participate in days-of-caring activities led by Five Star Heart in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem and other non-profit organizations.

• On-Site Visits: Five Star Heart coordinates on-site visits from its staff and mentors at participating student athlete schools.  Our focus is centered around maintaining a bi-weekly persistent, positive presence in the lives of our middle school student athletes. 

Mentorship Program Expectations

Five Star Heart has high expectations for all athletes involved.  The collegiate student athlete mentors, who all possess background clearances as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, must maintain academic and character standards as set forth by our board of directors. Our participating middle school student athletes shall also maintain the Five Star Heart standards of excellence to include the following. 

Must strive to maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher (only those 8th grade student athletes who possess a 2.5 GPA or higher in May of 2026 will be eligible to attend the Dabo Swinney’s Clemson University Football Camp).

• Must not be suspended from school or acquire 3 or more detentions.

• Must uphold the Five Star Heart qualities of character and behavioral on and off the athletic fields/courts of competition.

• Must not quit or be dismissed from a school’s sports team.

• Must participate in Five Star Heart sponsored community service activities.  

• Must complete all Training Camp readings and corresponding Playbook assignments.

• Must attend scheduled monthly mentoring sessions.

Mentorship Program Incentives

We incentivize our athletes to strive for success as participating student athletes who buy-in to our message shall be afforded the following:

• Five Star Heart Initiation T-Shirt

• Earned NIKE Athletic Apparel

• All-access, all-inclusive bus trips to corporations, universities, and collegiate football games

• A seat on the bus to Dabo Swinney’s Clemson University Football Camp