Chargers Player To Visit St. Vincent’s Elementary School
Off the Field, Counseling Children is His Passion

   SAN DIEGO — San Diego Chargers defensive end Marcellus Wiley will purchase and distribute backpacks filled with school supplies to the children at Harbor Summit Elementary, St. Vincent de Paul Village’s on-site public school, located at 32 17th Street, on Tuesday, September 4, at 10 a.m.

   Wiley, who last year played for the Buffalo Bills, is in his first season with the Chargers and is eager to make an impact on the lives of school children in the San Diego area.

   "I can’t wait to meet and work with the young people of San Diego," he says. "While playing football [in Buffalo] I was very involved with the community and, in particular, with Buffalo’s school children."

   A graduate of Ivy League school Columbia University, Wiley says he understands the hard work, commitment and perseverance it takes to succeed in school and makes every effort to instill in children those same qualities.

   President of St. Vincent’s, Father Joe Carroll, says more athletes should follow in Wiley’s footsteps.

   "Professional athletes have always been heroes of young people and, whether they like it or not, hold a tremendous responsibility to set a positive example for the children who wear their jerseys and chant their names," he says. "Marcellus is one of those athletes who has taken advantage of the influence he has on these kids to help them reach their goals and motivate them as they struggle to succeed in school and in life."

   In addition to this inaugural outreach, Wiley is looking forward to continuing his involvement with the youngsters of St. Vincent’s.

   "Please know that I don’t want my work to end there," he says. "I would love to help encourage [these] students to stay in school and to focus on higher education as a component to success in life."

   For more information on Marcellus Wiley’s visit to Harbor Summit School, call St. Vincent’s Special Events Director Carl Rustin at (619) 687-1012.

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