Photo Courtesy: Alexis J. Barile

Staff Reports

Eastvale – On Feb. 26, the 17^th Annual UNITY (United Neighbors Involving Today’s Youth) Awards hosted a luncheon to recognize community members who make a difference.  One of those individuals honored, was Tony Barile, Head Football Coach for Eleanor Roosevelt High School.  Barile was recognized for his dedication to community involvement, and for being a positive influence and mentor to the youth of Eastvale.

Barile has worked with Michele Derus, Principal at Eastvale Elementary, to create a mentor program to bring their students together.  Once a week, the coach and 20 of his players visit the elementary school to volunteer in a variety of capacities, including tutoring students, leading fitness tests, and helping teachers in the classrooms.  This spring, Barile is planning to host a “Field Day” for Eastvale Elementary, which he hopes will one day incorporate all of the elementary schools in Eastvale.

For the second year in a row, Barile hosted a coed football tournament for all of the elementary schools in the Eastvale community.  His players volunteered as the referees and did a great job encouraging and teaching the students to show good sportsmanship and play hard.

Barile is also heavily involved with Vantage Point Church’s community events.  He has partnered with the church to start a “Breast Cancer Awareness” football game each October, dedicated to raising funds and awareness for this important cause.  Survivors and fighters of cancer are invited to come and be special VIP guests.  He has also partnered with another Roosevelt community group, AVID, to support students in the community with Epilepsy, raising a significant contribution and awareness for the Epilepsy Foundation.  Barile’s players also help out with the “Christmas Gift Mart,” that benefits parents who are low-income and need assistance for the holidays.

Barile works diligently to instill character, leadership skills, and academic commitment in his students, and partners with other leaders in the community to provide events like annual youth football and cheer community nights and camps, coaching clinics, tutoring sessions, and even homework centers during practice.  He also serves on the executive board for two prestigious football organizations, Southern California Interscholastic Football Federation (SCIFCA) and the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame (Riverside County Chapter).  He is also on the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) advisory committee.

What Coach Barile has already put in place in just the beginning of his vision for impacting the lives of our youth.  He is the epitome of UNITY in the community of Eastvale.