New Level, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to positioning student-athletes in metro Detroit to receive key opportunities, has assisted nine 2020 high school graduates from the Club Xtreme Volleyball Team in securing athletic scholarships for college. On June 19, New Level and Club Xtreme will host a Senior Signing Day to honor the students.
“One of the most used then forgotten individuals in the community is the student-athlete, specifically the female student-athlete,” said Michelle Smith, founder of New Level. “They all aspire to go pro or Division I, yet only 1 out of 16,000 become professional athletes. It’s important we wrap our arms around that 15,999 and offer them the tools, training, and resources to reach that dream and while doing so, give them the creative freedom and knowledge to sustain an alternative path they can rely on.”
Club Xtreme has been dedicated to using the sport of volleyball as a vehicle for teaching athletes ages 8-18 how to maximize their potential both on the court and in life. The team features black and brown students across metro Detroit who won the Las Vegas Jam Festival volleyball tournament in March. Because the COVID-19 pandemic led to shutdowns around the nation, students were not able to perform in front of scouts for potential scholarships.
Since 2016, New Level has partnered with Club Xtreme to secure athletic scholarships for three to four high school seniors each year. However, this year, all 8 students on the team—and an additional student who practices with the team—have been extended scholarships.
“Through hard work and determination, we got college coaches to listen,” Smith said. “Whether it was via phone call, text, email, or road trips, we did whatever we had to do to get our kids in front of coaches.”
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