Yours in Soccer Foundation (YSF) is a nonprofit corporation, founded in 2014, whose mission is to empower exceptional student-athletes from underserved communities by leveraging the potential of sports to realize their college dreams.
“What YSF means to me is that Robin Hood is alive and well. YSF takes the playbook used by well-resourced families to get their kids into the best colleges and uses these tools and the mentoring needed to support and elevate soccer student-athletes from overlooked communities. YSF invests in deserving student-athletes, providing them access they would not otherwise have to a college education.”
Jerome L. Simon, Founder
ABOUT YSF
YSF’s Programs advise student-athletes on how to showcase their athletic and academic abilities to college coaches and admissions personnel. By introducing them to the important linkage of sports and academics before they begin the college admissions process, they will be more likely to maximize their potential.
who we are
Jerome Simon
Founder
Jerome is a life-long soccer enthusiast who believes in sport for youth development and conceived YSF as a force for positive change in the outcomes of deserving yet underserved young people. Jerome founded YSF on the fundamental premise that a capital vacuum exists in competitive youth soccer. It was eminently clear that mainly rich kids were using soccer to get into America’s best schools. Jerome created YSF to level the playing field between rich and poor elite soccer student-athletes. Jerome has been an investment professional since graduating from Stanford Graduate School of Business in 1990.
Kerri McClellan
Executive Director
Beto Vega
Director, Athletic Program
Gloria Calderon Vega
Director, College Program
Carlos Galan
College & Academic Specialist
Matthew Dunkle
Student Advisor
Leslie Donaldson
Secretary
Yedi Wong
Treasurer
Avery Schwartz
Board Member
Pedro Lupercio
Student Advisor
Panchito Ramirez Rueda
Student Advisor
OUR PROGRAMS
The mission of the YSF Mentorship Program is to help low-income college bound soccer players successfully navigate the college recruitment process. We seek to empower our student-athletes to use this process to build upon their passion for the beautiful game while developing and maximizing their potential as a college recruit.
The YSF Summer Immersion Program provides a space where students can deeply reflect on their educational path and its connection to soccer and their future goals. Through various activities and a thoughtful schedule for the week, YSF equips participants with accessible tools and resources to help develop a long-term vision of their college goals and take ownership of their recruitment process.
OUR NUMBERS
0
Student-athletes have received
free SAT/ACT test prep
free SAT/ACT test prep
0
Student-athletes have committed
to play college soccer
to play college soccer
0
Student-athletes benefiting
from Yours in Soccer support
from Yours in Soccer support
College Mentorship Program Participant Outcomes
Since 2019, College Mentorship Program participants have successfully transitioned to play collegiate soccer with the support of Yours in Soccer Foundation services.
96% have gone on to attend college after high school. Of those who chose to attend college, 91% committed to a college soccer program by the end of their senior year of high school.
Since 2019, College Mentorship Program participants have successfully transitioned to play collegiate soccer with the support of Yours in Soccer Foundation services.
96% have gone on to attend college after high school. Of those who chose to attend college, 91% committed to a college soccer program by the end of their senior year of high school.
Student-athletes attending college after high school
96%
Student-athletes continuing
their education at a 4-year university
their education at a 4-year university
87%
Student-athletes committed to a well-matched soccer college program
82%
Our students have committed to the following colleges:
| Boston University | CSU Fullerton | Sacramento State University | UCSD |
| Cal Poly San Luis Obispo | CSU Monterrey Bay | San Francisco State University | University of San Diego |
| Cal Poly Pomona | CSU Northridge | San Jose State University | University of Birmingham Alabama |
| Chicago State University | CSU San Marcos | Seton Hall University | University of Notre Dame |
| Claremont McKenna College | CSU Stanislaus | Texas A&M Texarkana | University of Pennsylvania |
| Columbia University | Duke University | The University of Tulsa | University of Portland |
| Concordia University, Irvine | Grand Canyon University | Transylvania University | University of Saint Thomas |
| Concordia University, Portland | Harvard University | UC Berkeley | University of San Francisco |
| Cornell University | Hofstra University | UC Irvine | University of the Pacific |
| CSU Bakersfield | Holy Names University | UC Merced | UNC Chapel Hill |
| CSU Chico | Our Lady of the Lake | UC Riverside | William Pace University |
| CSU East Bay | Roosevelt College | UC Santa Barbara | |
| Coastal Carolina University | Portland University | UCLA |
OUR STUDENT-ATHLETES
Kevin
The Yours in Soccer Foundation has been a transformative influence in my life since I joined in 2019. Their incredible generosity, unwavering care, and constant encouragement have provided me with the tools and opportunities to succeed. Through their support, I’ve been able to develop my skills, navigate the college process, and gain insight into the academic, athletic, and social aspects of higher education.
With their guidance, I achieved my dream of attending Boston University, where I continue to grow as a student-athlete. The Yours in Soccer team has taught me how to face challenges head-on and overcome obstacles with confidence. Their belief in me has been a source of inspiration, helping me navigate adversity and push toward my goals.
Even now, as I work toward earning my degree, Yours in Soccer remains by my side, preparing me for the transition to life beyond college. Their impact on my journey has been immeasurable, and I am endlessly grateful for their continued support.
Ricardo
I will forever be grateful for the impact that the Yours in Soccer Foundation has had on me both on and off the field. Since I started working with them in 2018 they have supported me through varied stages of life. Firstly, through their guidance and the resources they provide, I was able to navigate the college recruitment process. Once I committed to play college soccer at UC Irvine I thought their job was done. However, even during my time in college, YSF continued to assist me in countless ways. Whether it was networking, researching post-graduate programs, and more, YSF and its staff were always willing to help. Even now as I transition into playing soccer professionally, I know that they will continue providing support so that I may become the best version of myself on and off the field.
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Linda Ramsbottom
Executive Director and Co-Founder Soccer Scholars Foundation
LA Galaxy
Yours in Soccer has been a fantastic support for our student-athletes in regards to college preparation, admissions, and recruitment. Our students who are working with YSF are more knowledgeable about college-related tasks and processes that must occur while in high school. Ultimately, YSF has empowered the student-athletes to take ownership of the path to being collegiate student-athletes.
Stefanie Baduria, Ed.D.
LA Galaxy Academy
Manhattan Soccer Club
Manhattan Soccer Club is a youth soccer club that is home to more than 1,300 travel players. Prior to Manhattan Soccer Club partnering with YSF, far too many scholar-athletes with financial hardships were falling behind as they advanced through middle and high school. Thanks to the generous support of YSF, we now offer our scholar-athletes much needed hands-on assistance with academic test prep and a better high school track over multiple years of service.
Rich Corvino
Executive Director
Prestige Prep
Prestige Prep is thrilled to partner with YSF in the initiative to offer academic test prep and overall support to a specific eligible audience within the Manhattan Soccer Club. We feel extremely fortunate to be able to touch the lives of young scholar-athletes as they begin the search for the right high school which can lead them to college and beyond. Preparing students for academic success alongside their soccer journeys is a pairing we believe in – and we are thankful to YSF for this shared vision and important partnership.
Phil Cohen
CEO & Founder
OGSC
Oakland Genesis is a youth soccer club using the game of soccer as a vehicle to improve the educational achievement of its participants. Over 90% of the youth in our program come from low-income households and over 75% are first generation children of immigrants aiming to be the first in their family to attend higher education. Working hand in hand with YSF, Oakland Genesis offers a curriculum for middle schoolers that continues through high school. YSF’s support is a pillar in our efforts to graduate 100% of program participants from high school with college eligibility.
Matt Fondy
YSF has made such a large impact on myself and my family over the past 5 years. The Foundation has helped me realize my dreams of playing college soccer and has given me so many opportunities to help me make those dreams into a reality someday. YSF has made me a better student by helping me with a PSAT course and since working with YSF, my grades have exponentially grown over the years. I now hold myself to a very high standard. It has given me these amazing, once in a lifetime opportunities to change my life for the better. For that my family and I are forever grateful for everything Yours in Soccer has done for us.
Jack Maynes
YSF Beneficiary
South Bronx United uses soccer as a tool for social change aiming to help youth build character, teamwork, and leadership to succeed in high school, college, careers, their community, and beyond.YSF’s generous partnership has allowed the SBU Academy to increase our individualized support for middle school student-athletes and families - specifically in navigating the complex NYC high school application process and academic skill building in preparation for state testing. SBU is grateful and excited for the far reaching impact of this support on the academic journeys of the student-athletes!