The Larry English L.E.A.D. Foundation
Leading Education to Athletes for their Dreams
Our Mission
The Larry English L.E.A.D. Foundation is committed to creating opportunities to broaden the mindset of youth athletes by empowering them with advanced programming in education, professional development and mentoring to help them achieve their dreams.
Few people who dream of becoming paid professional athletes,coaches,or sports officials beat the odds and make a full-time living from professional athletics. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a .00565% chance that student athletes will become a professional player. In addition, those athletes who are part of the less than one percent that are able to play at a professional level often have short careers with little job security.
What many sports fans and young athletes don’t realize are the difficulties that can occur during the transition into a career after sports if athletes have pursued their sports to the detriment of their general education. The Foundation’s purpose is to integrate and elevate student athlete’s educational and professional dreams, through various programming for middle school and high school students. Students will learn to prioritize their education and work to improve their academic success therefore ensuring the success of their professional lives. Critical to the students’ forward progress, is the long-term commitment and support of at least one of the students’ parents or guardians. By the time our students have graduated from high school they will have developed because of the advantages provided. In addition, they will have cultivated essential skills and relationships, which will help LEAD them towards their future goals.
Our Team
Larry English
Founder and Chairman of the Board
Selected 16th overall in 2009 NFL draft, Larry English currently plays the Outside Linebacker position for the San Diego Chargers.
English completed his rookie year with 16 appearances (2 starts) in the 2009 season. He recorded 36 tackles (26 solo) with one forced fumble and 2.0 sacks.
In high school, Larry was named the varsity football team co-captain and MVP at Marmion Academy, a private all male catholic academy in Aurora, Illinois. As a senior, he totaled 98 tackles and 6 sacks from his inside linebacker position and rushed for 312 yards on 38 carries (8.2 avg) as a fullback.
In 2004, English made his collegiate debut at Northern Illinois University. As a freshman in 2005, English started nine games for the Huskies, leading the defensive line with 78 tackles. In 2006, Larry started all 13 games and tied the school record with 12 sacks. He was a first team All-MAC selection and ranked second in the MAC and tied 10th nationally with .88 sacks per game. He established the school record with 4.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss while adding forced fumble and fumble recovery in nine tackle efforts vs. Temple (10-21). In 2007 and 2008, English was named to the Bronko Nagurski preseason watch list and also became a two-time winner of the Vern Smith Leadership Award, given to the MAC’s top player as voted on by league coaches. English is the first defensive player to win the award twice and one of only two Huskies to be named first team All-MAC three times (2006, 2007, 2008). In 2007, Larry earned the MAC's Vern Smith Leadership Award (league MVP), becoming the second consecutive Huskie to win this award, and was a consensus first team All-MAC choice. Larry was the first defensive player to win the Vern Smith Award since the first year of the award in 1982. In 2008, MAC News, Media Association and Sporting News named Larry the league’s Defensive Player of the Year. He was the nation's career leader in sacks (31.5), sack yardage (220) and tackles for loss yards (283), ranks second in tackles for loss (63). Larry broke the NIU career record for quarterback sacks with two in the Kent State game. He was named MAC Player of the week two times in one year. Larry was one of 30 candidates nominated to receive the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award, which was presented for excellence in Classroom, Character, Community and Competition. Larry majored in Liberal Arts & Sciences and was a Huskie Scholar earning a 3.0 GPA. He closed out his collegiate career as one of the school’s all-time great defensive players. He is the highest NFL draft pick in NIU history. His 31.5 career sacks are a school record.
At a young age with the support of his mother, Susan, Larry made the commitment to achieve in the classroom as well as in sports. His coaches, professors and teachers throughout his academic career have said Larry embodies the true meaning of a student-athlete. Recognizing the importance of academics in his preparation for success, Larry wants to inspire other up and coming athletes to do the same. Larry and Susan launched The Larry English L.E.A.D. (Leading Education to Athletes for Their Dreams) Foundation in 2010. Working in the San Diego and Chicago communities, the organization’s mission is to create opportunities that broaden the mindset of youth athletes by empowering them with advanced programming in education, professional development and mentoring, all of which will help better prepare them for future goals on and off the field.
Susan English
Founder, President and CEO
Susan@Larry-English.org
Susan is the Founder and Executive Director of The Larry English L.E.A.D. Foundation.
Susan has dedicated her life to supporting youth development and her community. She has over 20 years of experience in nonprofits, both community and population, combined with entrepreneurial experience in Fortune 500 sales.
Susan has served in a variety of Board roles, including Rosary Catholic High School Board in Aurora, IL, the Aurora Historical Commission, and fundraising roles for Northern Illinois University’s Football Booster endowment. She was instrumental in creating the Palace Street Historic District, in Aurora IL in effort to stabilize and preserve a declining middle-class, multi-ethnic neighborhood. The success of this on-going effort is due in-part to Susan’s solicitation of over 70% of homeowners in the community and her efforts to secure funding from multiple sources.
In her business career, Susan was a successful representative for three Fortune 1000 companies, in three different industries. In each of her positions, she was able to build top performing territories through her strong relationship building skills, drive, and commitment to success. In addition to Susan’s accomplishments in the corporate sectors, she has raised two great children as a single mother, has been an active member in her church, has volunteered with the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America, assisted with a local cheerleading team, and served as a mentor to young women in the National Big Sisters organization.
Susan holds a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts from Southern Illinois University.
Courtney Cook, Program Director
Courtney@Larry-English.org
Courtney Cook oversees the planning and coordination of The Larry English L.E.A.D. Foundation programming. Before joining L.E.A.D., Courtney worked in the Foundation department at Creative Artists Agency where she assisted in strategic advising to clients across the entertainment, sports and corporate landscapes on their philanthropic and pro-social initiatives.
She also worked at The California Science Center Foundation as a member of a successful 165 million dollar fundraising campaign geared toward corporate and private donors to support the expansion of exhibits and learning opportunities available at the California Science Center.
Courtney graduated from Mount Holyoke College with a bachelor’s degree in Economics & African American Studies.
Terrence Griffin, Director of Corporate Development
Terrence@Larry-English.org
Terrence Griffin manages the growth and development of corporate partnerships for The Larry English L.E.A.D. Foundation. Terrence previously worked as a Financial Agent at one of the top Fortune 100 rated companies of 2010, New York Life Insurance Company, where he sold competitive life, annuity and long-term care insurance products. Griffin successfully generated leads and marketing support for the company by building relationships with his clients and within the community.
Griffin is a proud alum of Northern Illinois University. He played as a member of the NIU Huskies football team from 2004-2009, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Organizational/Corporate Communications.
Monica English, Foundation Assistant
Monica@Larry-English.org
Monica English provides administrative support for The Larry English L.E.A.D. Foundation.
English is currently enrolled at The California College of San Diego for Respiratory Therapy. Her professional goal is to continue her studies in the medical field and have a career in forensic science. She is currently a Student Ambassador for The California College of San Diego and is a candidate for graduation in 2012.
Francisco Carrera
Info Tech Director
Cisco@Larry-English.org
Francisco is a 29 year veteran of the Illinois State Police. He retired in 2010 at the rank of Sergeant from the Division of Forensic Services’ Forensic Diagramming and Animation (FDA) section.
Francisco is an expert in a variety of computer 2D and 3D graphic software application including: 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD), 3D animation, digital editing and compositing, and DVD authoring.
In his position, Francisco produced 2D and 3D diagrams and animations of crime and traffic crash scenes for use as demonstrative evidence in criminal trials. Francisco implemented the Animation Section for the Illinois State Police and developed the FDA Animation Training Course in which he provided 2D and 3D animation training to the entire FDA section.
Francisco’s work has been featured in various media and publications such as the reality crime program Snapped on the Oxygen Channel, Fox Chicago News, The Chicago Tribune, Aurora Beacon News, and Law Enforcement Technology Magazine.
In 2003, Francisco founded Carrera Animated Evidence, Inc. His company specializes in producing Demonstrative Evidence for civil litigation.
Francisco is married and a graduate of the Illinois State Police Academy.
To learn more about Larry's Foundation, CLICK HERE to visit the official website
CLICK HERE for the Official L.E.A.D. Facebook Fan Page
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