Athletics

AT A GLANCE: ATHLETICS

For several decades, St. Philip’s has provided arguably the largest and most diverse athletics program for 4- to 14-year-olds in the southern sector of Dallas.

Programming Update

Due to COVID-19, St. Philip’s will continue to hold off on its dynamic Athletics program. It is our priority to keep our student athletes, coaches, and volunteers safe. We plan to resume baseball, basketball, soccer, track, and football with the Pop Warner League in Spring 2021.

Athletic Alumni Spotlight: Two Former Saints are Making Moves

From South Dallas to the Ivy League

College Freshman Anthony Andrews is preparing to play Defensive Back for Yale University, while pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering. A member and valedictorian of St. Philip’s Class of 2014, Andrews is a recent 2020 graduate of St. Marks School of Texas, where he was a three-sport athlete playing football, basketball, and track. His decision to go to Yale was made a little easier after realizing the school’s dedication to him and his family. “Their persistence is probably why I chose to go here.”

This year, all Ivy League schools have decided to cancel the football season due to COVID-19. With this being Anthony’s Freshman year, he says it’s an unfortunate situation, but it has given him time to focus on school work. For Andrews, it’s not just about football.

St. Philip’s also laid the foundation for Andrews to become the scholar athlete he is today. He even credits his toughness on the field and tenacity for winning, to his early years as a St. Philip’s Saint. Anthony is grateful to all of the coaches and teachers who helped mold him into the young man he is now.

Making Dreams a Reality

With over thirty college football offers, Skyline High School senior, Isaiah Nwokobia, says he’s living a dream. “I would've never thought I’d see some of my dreams coming true right now. In a few months, I'll be playing Division 1 college football,” said Nwokobia.

Isaiah currently plays Safety and Defensive Back for the Skyline Raiders and began his athletic career at St. Philip's as a 4-year-old in flag football. He played for the Saints until he aged out at 12. He credits his passion for the sport to St. Philip’s. “Every day the coaches were all in. It wasn’t just about football with them,” he explained. “Coach Jimmy was more like a father figure. It was a family environment (at St. Philip’s).”

Last year, Nwokobia committed to play football at Southern Methodist University, with plans to study Business. He hopes to graduate college and go on to play in the NFL…if it’s in God’s plans for his life. The only thing more important than football for this talented young man is the woman who provided for him all of his life. “My biggest goal is to take care of my mom. She’s done a lot for me, so I just want to make sure she’s good.”

Every time Isaiah is in South Dallas, he drives by St. Philip’s’ football field. He feels the memories rushing back, reminding him where it all began. One day, he hopes to come back to watch a game and share with the young athletes that their dreams can come true, too.

VOLUNTEER/DONOR SPOTLIGHT

Loyal Friends Spur Fundraising and Volunteer Recruitment for Aunt Bette’s Community Pantry

Aunt Bette’s Community Pantry holds a special place in Dina Dixon’s heart. A long-time volunteer at the North Texas Food Bank, when our food pantry opened, she was there on our very first day to volunteer.

Socially, Dina and her boyfriend, Shane Keller, are involved in the Dallas Spurs Supporters Club, which is a fan club for the Tottenham Hotspurs, a London based soccer team in the English Premier League, similar to the NFL. This dedicated group meets at the Irishman Pub on Saturday and Sunday mornings to watch the “Spurs” play. Four years ago, they had the idea to have a donation bucket at their watch parties to raise funds to purchase Thanksgiving foods that were not normally stocked at the pantry. That year, they raised $367 and doubled the amount the following year. In 2018-19, they made their donation drive a more permanent, all season event raising close to $3,000. Last year, the amazing supporters proudly raised over $6,000!

In addition to fundraising, Dina and Shane consult with Kelvin Browning, Manager at Aunt Bette’s Community Pantry, before buying the most needed and hardest to source items, loading them in their SUV and delivering them to the pantry, weekly. This is personal for Dina and Shane, and clearly it has become a focused passion for the Dallas Spurs Supporters Club, as this past October, 60 Spurs members played in a golf tournament held at Bridlewood Country Club, with Aunt Bette’s Community Pantry as the beneficiary of the fundraising!

Thanks to Dina and Shane’s selfless commitment, members are now volunteering regularly with the pantry. Additionally, a new landing page on St. Philip’s website has been created for the Supporters Club, enabling members to donate money directly to the Pantry and also to sign up to volunteer. May this relationship continue to grow and benefit our neighbors in South Dallas.