Spencer Short Urges Support for Youth Sports and Mentorship Programs

(Isstories Editorial):- San Antonio, Texas May 12, 2025 (Issuewire.com) – Spencer Short Urges Support for Youth Sports and Mentorship Programs

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Finance professional shares the life-changing impact of early athletic and leadership opportunities

Spencer Short, a Digital VEA at Morgan Stanley and Texas A&M graduate, is raising awareness for the lasting impact of youth sports and mentorship programs. Reflecting on his own experiences as a student-athlete and volunteer, Short is encouraging community members to support local organizations that provide structured sports, coaching, and character-building activities for young people.

“Some of the most important lessons I learned–about leadership, effort, and resilience–came from being on a team,” Short said. “I wasn’t just learning how to win a game. I was learning how to show up for others, how to lose with dignity, and how to push myself when things got hard.”

Early Lessons That Last

Growing up in San Antonio, Short played basketball, football, baseball, and golf throughout his school years. He was president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and later a varsity basketball player at Clark High School. He credits youth sports with helping him develop focus, confidence, and a sense of accountability.

According to a study by the Aspen Institute’s Project Play, children who participate in sports are 60% more likely to report high self-esteem and 40% more likely to be mentally resilient. However, access remains a barrier: nearly 1 in 3 U.S. children aged 6-12 from low-income households don’t participate in sports, largely due to cost or lack of nearby programs.

“I was lucky,” Short said. “My family had the means and support to keep me involved. But there are so many kids who don’t get that chance–not because they lack talent or interest, but because the system doesn’t reach them.”

The Power of Positive Role Models

In addition to playing sports, Short also volunteered through service clubs and mentored younger students. “When I look back, I remember the people who invested time in me,” he said. “Coaches, older teammates, mentors–they saw something in me I didn’t see yet. That shaped who I became.”

Mentorship can be especially transformative for at-risk youth. Data from MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership shows that young adults with mentors are 55% more likely to enroll in college, 78% more likely to volunteer regularly, and 130% more likely to hold leadership positions later in life.

Investing in the Next Generation

Short believes the combination of sports and mentorship offers a unique environment for growth. “Sports teach discipline. Mentorship brings guidance. Together, they build people who know how to lead and how to care.”

He’s now using his platform to highlight the importance of keeping these programs funded and accessible. “This isn’t about building athletes. It’s about building people who can handle life,” he said. “Whether they go pro or never touch a ball again, those early lessons stay with them.”

Get Involved in Your Local Community

Spencer Short is encouraging individuals and communities to support youth development programs in their own backyard.

“You don’t need to be a coach or have money to give,” he said. “Volunteer for a rec league, mentor at a school, donate gently used sports gear. Every small action adds up.”

To find local opportunities to support youth sports or become a mentor, consider:

• www.bgcamerica.org – Boys & Girls Clubs of America
• www.youthmentoring.org – Youth Mentoring Partnership
• www.playworks.org – Playworks for school-based sports and play programs

“You never know the difference one season, one practice, one person can make,” Short added. “Someone did that for me, and I want to make sure others get that same chance.”

This article was originally published by IssueWire. Read the original article here.