Founding Executive Director

Bobby McClarin

Bobby is a native of Bethlehem, PA. He grew up in the city's "West Side" neighborhood in a blue-collar family. Football was always his passion and playing at the Division I level was his dream. Having grown up watching the likes of Michael Stonebreaker and Ned Bolcar play for the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, he always envisioned himself running out onto the hallowed grounds of South Bend. Admittedly, he was never the fastest athlete on the football field or the quickest on the basketball court but he possessed the intangibles, an unfathomable "will" and unmatched work ethic that would lead to his successes on and off the playing field.

As a result of his academic and athletic success at Liberty High School in Bethlehem, PA, he was presented with the opportunity of a lifetime, the chance to attend the United States Naval Academy, earn a degree in engineering, serve his country, and play football at the Division I level. Prior to attending the Naval Academy, he spent two years at the Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS) in Newport, RI where he was initiated to the "Brotherhood" which serves as the cornerstone of Navy Football.

Following his stint at NAPS, he went on to earn a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering and was a key contributor to Navy's football resurgence under Paul Johnson. While starting at middle linebacker for the Midshipmen, he was the recipient of many accolades to include the 2002 Admiral Mack Award, 2004 Roger Staubach Award, 2004 College Football News All-Bowl Team among others. However, the most rewarding accomplishment in his years while at Navy was making a decision with all his brothers to commit themselves to the "never outworked, selfless" mentality as they took a football program from 0-11 in his freshman year to Emerald Bowl Champs in his senior year posting a 10-2 record.

Upon graduation from the Academy in May of 2005, he married the love of his life Kate in June. After tying the knot with Kate, they headed to Newport, RI. Bobby was selected by Navy's coaching staff as one of four players from their graduating class to coach at NAPS for the first six months of his military obligation. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of his life, for he knew coaching, inspiring, and mentoring was his "True North."

Following NAPS, Bobby held a wide array of leadership roles as an officer in the United States Navy and Civil Engineer Corps to include surface warfare officer, ordnance officer, visit, board, search, and seizure officer, and lead construction project manager. After serving his five-year obligation, Bobby and Kate elected to move back to the Lehigh Valley and raise a family.

Today, they are proud parents of three beautiful children, Lilah, Elizabeth ("Biddy"), and Tommy.  In 2014, Bobby earned a Master's Degree in Business Administration with a Concentration in Supply Chain Management from Moravian College. Bobby spent most of his professional career with Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. where he serving as a global sourcing commodity manager and gas delivery systems manufacturing operations manager. After a short stint with St. Luke’s University Health Network in a Community Ambassador - Sports Medicine Relationships role, he now serves as the Administrator of Sports Medicine for Lehigh Valley Health Network as he strives to engineer a supply chain of student athletes who achieve their aspirations on and off the fields of competition.

Bobby's love for football and helping others pursue their purpose in life inspired him to form Five Star Heart Training, LLC in 2014 and ultimately, The Five Star Heart Project.

As the Founding Executive Director, Bobby manages the day-to-day business of the organization which includes the following but not limited to administrative functions, website design, marketing and media relations, clinic coordination and leadership, coaching, event planning, and fund-raising implementation.

Board of Directors

Dean Donaher, President

Dean Donaher is a volunteer officer.  Dean has earned four degrees over a lifetime dedicated to shaping the lives of our youth.  He holds a MED in Secondary Education from Lehigh University and Ed.D in Organizational and Educational Leadership from The University of Pennsylvania.  Dean was a long-time administrator for the Bethlehem Area School District and recently retired as the Director of Student Services.  Dean is currently employed by the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley as their Labor Liaison. He also serves as a board member for the Bethlehem Area School District. 

Jim Wills, Vice President

Jim Wills is a volunteer officer and a well-respected, retired middle school teacher and coach who dedicated 20+ years of service to the Bethlehem Area School District.  He is also regarded as one of the Lehigh Valley’s top speed and conditioning specialists who possesses a genuine care for his student athletes on and off the field of competition.

Chris Wills, Treasurer

Chris Wills is a volunteer officer and a local sports enthusiast who serves as the organization’s treasurer. Chris is a graduate of the University of Maryland.  He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) for MillerSearles LLC. 

Joe Petrucci, Secretary

Joe Petrucci is a volunteer officer who earned a bachelor’s degree from Harvard College in 2014 where he co-captained the varsity lacrosse team to its first Ivy League Championship in 24 years. He began his career at Structuretone, a large, Manhattan-based general contractor, and then spent one year with a Boston real estate investment company, Paradigm Properties. Currently, Joe is a Project Executive at J.G. Petrucci Company, Inc., a design-build & property development firm founded and owned by his father Jim.

Matt Evancho, Voting Board Member

Matt Evancho is a volunteer officer and has coached high school football, track & field, and lacrosse at various schools in the Lehigh Valley and currently coaches at Saucon Valley High School. He earned his degree in secondary education from Pennsylvania State University where he was a member of the Nittany Lion football team. Matt has been working in education for over 20 years helping develop young students into productive members of society. He has also earned a masters' degree in education from Wilkes University and is working on a second masters' degree from Aurora University.

John Shigo, Voting Board Member

John Shigo is a volunteer officer and a well-known figure in the Lehigh Valley.  After graduating from Freedom High School in 1979, John went on to become a three-time All-American linebacker for Lehigh University from 1981 to 1983.  He transpired his love for the game to officiating in which he was selected to officiate the 1999 PIAA State Championship Game, the Big 33 Game, and the D1-AA National Championship Game in 2012.  John has been serving as the General Manager for Hub City Distributing Company for 35+ years.

Buddy Green, Non-Voting Ambassador

Buddy Green is a volunteer officer who recently retired from coaching college football having served as The United States Naval Academy's Defensive Coordinator for 15 years. Alike his tenure at Navy, Coach Green earned the respect across the college football landscape by his uncanny ability to turn a program's defense around.  Before his tenure in Annapolis, Coach Green took over one of the worst defenses in the country at NC State, and they were among the top in every major defensive category by the time he departed. Coach Green's uncanny ability to get the best out of his players is what set him apart from others in the profession. As Bobby can attest, his famous choice of words "FINISH" echoes in the minds of those players who had the opportunity to run to the ball for Coach Buddy Green, a man who gave his ALL for those who played for him.