Discipline. Pride. Self-esteem. Motivation.
All are essential ingredients to success.
And all are the results of students participating in athletics.
The Birmingham Athletic Partnership knows this. That’s why the organization helps coaches and teachers by providing valuable resources. The goal isn’t just to compete on the field – it’s to help students complete high school, continue their education and, over time, reach their own professional goals.
Meet Birmingham Athletic Participant scholarship recipient Jarvis Prewitt.
Prewitt, a well-rounded football and baseball player – and scholar – wanted to find a way to fund his collegiate journey. Prewitt was a junior at Huffman High School when a football coach introduced him to Birmingham Athletic Partnership resources and scholarships. Huffman High is one of the seven Birmingham city schools supported by the partnership.
Life for Prewitt changed in a positive way after he was introduced to the partnership. He credits it with giving him the extra push he needed to succeed on and off the field.
“In an effort to uphold the high standards gained from playing sports and participating in the Birmingham Athletic Partnership, I wanted to excel academically,” said Prewitt. “I was inducted into the National Honors Society, National Beta Club, and student government association. The program helped me realize being successful in sports and academics would be extremely beneficial to my collegiate journey.”
The Birmingham Athletic Partnership is more than students playing sports, it is providing life lessons in leadership, ethics and responsibility. We are happy to have been a part of the Birmingham Athletic Partnership for the past 15 years.
Sarah Moss, community relations officer for Regions Bank
The work of the partnership directly aligns with Regions Bank’s priority of supporting education and workforce readiness. So Regions becoming a community partner was a natural fit.
“The Birmingham Athletic Partnership is more than students playing sports,” said Sarah Moss, community relations officer for Regions Bank. “It is providing life lessons in leadership, ethics and responsibility. We are happy to have been a part of the Birmingham Athletic Partnership for the past 15 years.”
The scholarship provided by the Birmingham Athletic Partnership aided in Prewitt’s matriculation into Alabama A&M University, where he is currently an AAMU honors student. He’s in his sophomore year majoring in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics.
“So many student-athletes were deserving of the honor of receiving the scholarship, and I was the recipient. It was a very humbling moment for me,” Prewitt explained.
Prewitt credits the program with preparing him for far more than life as an athlete. This experience, he shared, taught him life skills and gave him a clearer perspective on life as he transitioned from high school to college.
“Being in the program taught me, whether you have support or not, you have to believe in yourself, and that lesson has stayed with me beyond the Friday night lights and into college.”
Jarvis Prewitt, Birmingham Athletic Participant scholarship recipient
“Discipline, pride, and how to build your self-esteem. That’s what being a program participant taught me. Sometimes, you are your best cheerleader. When you are successful, people are often by your side. When you face difficult times, those people may leave you,” explained Prewitt. “Being in the program taught me, whether you have support or not, you have to believe in yourself, and that lesson has stayed with me beyond the Friday night lights and into college.”
“Supporting the BAP is so beneficial to the Birmingham community and the students they serve,” Moss explained. “Extracurricular activities are such an important part of a student’s life. By helping provide uniforms, equipment and leadership seminars for those involved in athletic sports, cheerleading and band programs, Birmingham Athletic Partnership is able to fulfill their mission of leveling the playing field for the student-athletes in the community.”
Prewitt said his overall opinion of the program is that it is a fantastic opportunity for all student-athletes and recommends students become participants.
“The Birmingham Athletic Partnership does much more than give academic scholarships. It is vital and essential in providing mentorships and giving student-athletes a safe space to voice their concerns about life and issues in their community,” said Prewitt. “The program brings people of different backgrounds together, despite any obstacles or challenges they are facing, and gives them a sense of family.”