LIVE: Project GOAL Using Soccer as Educational Motivation

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LIVE: Project GOAL Using Soccer as Educational Motivation

Darius Shirzadi, Executive Director of Project GOAL
“We’re trying to get these kids to graduate from high school and get them to college,” Darius Shirzadi says.

Shirzadi is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Project GOAL.

GOAL, while referring to soccer, also stands for Greater Opportunity for Athletes to Learn. 

Shirzadi says the non-profit’s mission is to help disadvantaged middle school students through after programing that involves tutoring and soccer related programs.

“Soccer seems to be a thing they can all come together about because they can do that on the field, they help each other out in the classroom. There may be other conflicts culturally but when they’re on the field it helps them come together and it translates to them becoming more successful and in school,” said Shirzadi.

Project GOAL has been a success, 96% of students in program have graduated high school, from that group, 90% of them were the first in their family to go to college. 

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