The LAUSD, Beyond The Bell, and Carson High recently partnered with the XFL. A big move for the community, as students have the opportunity to witness history in the making. This partnership is essential because the youth have opportunities beyond their wildest dreams, and this shows how powerful having a community behind you will change lives. Also, when kids see athletes from their community who’ve made it professionally come back to speak and provide resources, it encourages the youth to grow up and do the same thing.
When you have former professional athletes, school administration, and community members invested in the youth, it can change the future of an entire generation of kids. The kids in the community are incredibly intelligent, and they need the guidance of community leaders to help them go in the right direction. This collaboration will strengthen the relationship between people in the neighborhood and the school. The school administration and coaches are extremely excited about what’s to come.
Former NFL football player Mike Wilson, now LA Wildcats Wide Receiver coach, attended Carson High School is now giving back to the young kids in the community. He aspires to create a new beginning for himself and teach the young men life skills, the skills that he has learned throughout his journey as a football player. Wilsons says, “It gives me the opportunity to coach and work in the community where I grew up. It allows me to bring my 20-year coaching experience to come back and help the local youth, the L.A. Unified coaches, and try to create a new beginning. You got to let the kids know it’s not about where you start but where you finish. We all have to start somewhere. You give it your all.” Wilson went on to say, “Football teaches you comradery, teamwork, and character. It also teaches you the ability to execute things. More importantly, they will learn to get along with their fellow brothers. They must get the opportunity to enjoy the sport. We are excited about this.”
Adana Brown, the Community of Schools Administrator, was thrilled about this partnership. Brown believes this was a monumental moment in time, and she and the schools saw a vast need for the students. Brown says, “This allows our students to see what the beauty of community is, and bringing people back to their roots,” which is important because students need to see the value of community. Brown also says, “Allowing Mike Wilson to come back and share with the students his experience here in the ’70s that is still relevant today. It’s an amazing historical aspect that we want our students to be able to learn and pay it forward. We want to give our coaches training that would receive at a high level.”
This partnership will bring other resources that will impact all involved, says Brown. They wanted to invigorate their athletic community. Sports play a significant role in a child’s life, and it creates a sense of discipline, leadership, brotherhood, and sisterhood that won’t get anywhere else. Community is family, and this community partnership will demonstrate that for the students. LA Wildcats head coach, Winston Moss says, “This is a great win for our community and our team. We started this partnership back in the summer.” Not only will they be coaching, but they will be providing off the field mentorship. Moss says, “Our coaching staff will mentor 100 elementary kids.” What a significant win for everyone involved in this partnership. LAUSD, Beyond The Bell, XFL, and Carson High is changing the landscape of the community in Carson.
