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, 90+ local middle school football players successfully completed this dynamic, incentive based development program with 15 former Moravian University Football players serving as mentors over the years.

In 2019, We had another tremendous year of programming in partnership with Moravian University as Moravian football players inspired our youth to uphold Five Star Heart’s standards in the classroom, on the football field, and as persons of character on a year-round basis.  From our monthly mentor sessions to our March Madness Fitness Challenge to giving back at the Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem, we continue to broaden our horizons in shaping the lives of our society.

In June of 2019, thirty-seven (37) 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. This was Five Star Heart’s third visit to Death Valley with Five Star Heart mentor program student athletes as 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. Five Star Heart will be making another trip to Death Valley in June of 2022. ALL-IN.

Mentorship Program Overview & Objectives

Moravian University football players are selected on an annual basis to influence, inspire, and energize upwards of forty-five (45) 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 mold the next generation of leaders who aspire to play, work , and live with a purpose in middle school, high school, and beyond. 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 Moravian University (and other locations) 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 some grub for athletes 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.

-Five Star Heart coordinates on-site visits from it's staff and mentors at participating student athletes 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 Moravian University 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 2022 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 held on Sunday evenings throughout the duration of the mentor program. 

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

-Free admission all Five Star Heart football clinics and programming open to the public

-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

FIVE STAR HEART FOLLOW ME TEAM

THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING MORAVIAN UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL ALUMNI FOR PLAYING AN INVALUABLE ROLE IN THE LIVES OF OUR YOUTH.

• Jalen Snyder-Scipio (St. Luke’s University Health Network ) - Star Wellness Community Health Clinical Coordinator

• Noah Miller (St. Luke’s University Health Network) - Emergency Department Registered Nurse

• Roberto Diez (St. Luke’s University Health Network) - Sports Performance Coach

• Nicolas Tone (Progressive Physician Associates) - Data Management Specialist

• Sal Pagano (DeSales University) - Doctor of Physical Therapy Student

• Chris Negron - New Jersey Police Officer

• John Snyder - Pennsylvania State Trooper

• Nick Zambelli (Computer Aid, Inc.) - Technical Support Analyst

• Brett Poling (ADP) - SBS District Manager

• Tim Valentine (Aerotek Corporate) - Regional Credit & Risk Analyst

• Mike Hayes (Brown & Brown Insurance) - Sales Development Representative

• George Haddad (Genesis Coach, LLC) - Owner

• Justice Anderson (ADP) - Sales

• Kenny Kane

• Blair Cameron