Page 11 - Florida Sentinel 6-28-18

Local Event
Breaking Boundaries Foundation Sponsors Athletes At USF Camp
Athletes from left to right are: Deandre Perez (Newsome High), Ryan McCall (Founder/CEO), Jaylan Smith (Middleton High) and Vi- rone Devine (Middleton High).
The Breaking Boundaries Foundation is a non-profit or- ganization that recently relo- cated from Atlanta, GA to Tampa, FL. The foundation’s sole purpose is to, “Create op- portunities for student athletes to gain athletic exposure in their respective sports.”
The CEO Ryan McCall, former star athlete from the Tampa Bay area, has been very active in the community. He created this foundation as a way to help athletes and par- ents who may not be knowl- edgeable of the athletic recruiting process.
McCall said, “I was once that athlete that had so many dreams of playing football at the next level, but was unsure of how the process actually works. After going through the troublesome experience alone, I wanted to make sure I could help as many athletes facing the same challenges that I faced.”
Ryan is known for his days as quarterback at Riverview High School, but plans to reach students of all sports, not just football. “Being able to use the knowledge I have gained over the years to change lives is a lifetime goal of mine,” he said.
While in Atlanta, he took over 50 high school students on college tours so that they could get more information on poten- tial colleges they were inter- ested in.
Since returning to his hometown of Tampa, McCall has been raising money to send student athletes to exposure camps. He recently took 3 stu-
dent athletes from Tampa to the USF Adidas 3 Stripe Camp where there were over 7 differ- ent colleges in attendance.
McCall used his social media page to find athletes to sponsor for the USF Camp. He received many submissions and chose 3 athletes for the oppor- tunity.
“I chose these three athletes because they each wrote me ex- plaining what the opportunity meant to them, and how they just needed someone to believe in their abilities. All three stu- dents selected maintain higher than a 3.2 GPA.
“I wish I could have taken everyone that submitted, but I really felt a connection to these athletes. I was sure with them doing so well in school they were my ideal candidates.”
McCall has future plans to put together study groups for the athletes in the area that may be struggling in school ac- ademically, also. “I believe many kids need a support sys- tem outside of their immediate family and I want Breaking Boundaries to be that re- source.”
In the picture are rising star Deandre Perez, wide receiver from Newsome High School, Virone Devine, and Jaylan Smith, wide receivers at Mid- dleton High.
For more information on this foundation, please visit the Breaking Boundaries website if you’re a parent, coach, or ath- lete wanting help with athletic exposure, www.breaking- boundariesfoundation.org.
FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 11-A