Coach Joe Pina and his wife Susie received a glimpse into life on the reservation in 2015 when they traveled to South Dakota. They learned that officials of the Pine Ridge Indian reservation had declared a State of Emergency due to the rash of teen suicides (the youngest being 9 years of age). The odds are stacked against the youth of this South Dakota reservation, which borders Nebraska.
Did you know that on the Pine Ridge Reservation: 97% of the population lives far below the U.S. federal poverty line; High School dropout rate is 70%; Unemployment rate is upwards of 90% due to lack of industry, technology or commercial infrastructure on the reservation; and, the list of obstacles placed in front of the youth on Pine Ridge goes on and on…
The Football for Life group is comprised of former and current coaches and players who believe the game of football was instrumental to the success they have achieved in life. The founders and directors of Football for Life know from personal experience the vital impact of youth sports participation.