At White House, Coatesville youth cross paths with President, sports stars
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times
Members of the “Soccer for Success” program get ready to board the bus for a trip to visit the White House. Photo by Marie Hess
For several hours on Tuesday, the cellphones revved into overdrive, texting and photographing the excitement surrounding a visit to the White House.
By the time the Coatesville contingent got back to the bus, phones were signaling low battery – if they hadn’t already lost their juice. But the 25 students and about half a dozen adults were so excited by the trip that they had energy to spare.
“It was an awesome experience,” said J.T. Dorsey, a former CASH and professional soccer standout who started a “Soccer for Success” program in Coatesville about a year ago. He said the 25 aspiring soccer stars with him stood about 20 feet from President Obama when he addressed a large group that also included professional hockey and soccer players.
Members of Coatesville’s “Soccer for Success” program are dressed to impress the White House. Photo by Rodger Ollis
“It doesn’t get much better than that,” Dorsey said. “The kids were so excited.” They made breathless comments such as, “I just saw the President in person,” or “I got to use the royal bathroom.”
Rob Smith, who works for the J.T. Dorsey Foundation, explained that the genesis of the invitation occurred when the First Lady’s staff reached out to the U.S. Soccer Foundation, which runs “Soccer for Success.” The program uses the game as a way to combat obesity, a message consistent with Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move! Active Schools” initiative.
The soccer foundation then contacted Dorsey, who had been expanding the programs in the region, especially in his hometown, where he exceled as a mid-fielder in high school. The trip received funding from the owners of the Regency Park Apartments, where Dorsey once lived and now runs one of the programs, he said.
In addition to making the participants feel special, it also provided a learning opportunity, especially about protocol and White House security, Dorsey said. He said the kids were amazed at how much preparation the President’s appearance requires.
J.T. Dorsey poses with his nephew, Jay Miller, 12, before entering the White House. Photo by Marie Hess
The itinerary originally included a soccer clinic on the White House lawn, which had to be canceled because of the weather, Dorsey said. Instead, the young people were treated to a Q&A session with the professional athletes who were being celebrated for their recent championships: the Los Angeles Kings and the LA Galaxy.
Dorsey, who retired in 2006 from the Harrisburg City Islanders, said his group asked some great questions, such as where the players got their inspiration and whether they focused on a single sport or played multiple ones.
He admitted that one of the first cellphones to die was his own, but he expected that and brought a charger for the bus ride home. He said only three of the adults in the group were permitted inside the White House so he made sure the others got an electronic play-by-play experience. “We didn’t get to this point without everyone’s involvement,” he said. “I didn’t want anyone to feel left out.”
Plus, he had to make sure he updated his sister in Coatesville, who let him know not only how proud she was, but also how proud their late mother, Robin, would have been, Dorsey said. “If she were here, she definitely would have had to come with us,” he said.
J.T. Dorsey shows off the jersey the group left at the White House for First Lady Michelle Obama. Photo by Amy O’Grady
Dorsey, who credits his mother with inspiring him to give back, said the support the adult volunteers provide is key to the program’s success. He said before the bus left, one of his former mentors, Rob Smith from the Philadelphia Union team, arrived in Coatesville with goody bags for the young players. Later, the gifts continued as the kids received bags from the L.A. Galaxy team.
The Coatesville group didn’t just receive gifts, they also left one at the White House: jerseys for the First Lady and President, Dorsey said. He said his players were wearing theirs and heard compliments all day, such as “you guys really look sharp.”
Rodger Ollis, a Coatesville police officer who volunteers with the soccer program, said it was gratifying to watch the positive consequences that good choices can produce. “It goes without saying that the soccer program is terrific,” he said, citing its use of the sport to stress healthy lifestyles and quality decision-making. “Today, kids were able to take part in a special event because they are part of something positive.”
Dorsey acknowledged that Tuesday’s magical journey presented a potential challenge: how to top it. “We might have to go to the moon,” he said. “I’m not sure anything else would measure up.”
It is nice to hear about the good side of Coatesville and we do have people reaching back and lifting up other. God bless the many youth that pass through this program and it’s leader.