SWAG Soccer
No-cost soccer skills training for players ages 4-8. Supporting inner-city areas of greater Philadelphia.
In 2018, Steve Graham and Scott Spangler co-founded The SWAG, which is a philanthropically-funded, no-cost soccer training program for over 2,000 young athletes ages 4 through 9 in some of Philadelphia’s most vulnerable African-American and immigrant communities. The SWAG provides young athletes with professional soccer coaching in a fun setting at no cost, accelerating skills development and creating an alternate path compared to football or basketball. Since 2022, the Prep has served as an indoor home for SWAG Soccer.
Graham founded Graham Partners in 1988 and serves as the firm’s CEO and Senior Managing Principal. He oversees all activities of the firm, including investment sourcing, evaluation, monitoring, and divestiture; as well as oversees the firm’s operations group. In college at Williams, Steve was a three-sport varsity athlete (tennis, track, and skiing), and captain of the downhill ski team. In addition to his professional endeavors, Steve serves as a leader in his communities. He has formed numerous charitable entities supporting education, sports, the arts, dance, and health care, with a focus on under-resourced youth in the greater Philadelphia area.
Scott Spangler runs Future Captain Sports and is currently the Director of Coaching with The SWAG, having previously coached at highly selective club-level programs. He has also served as the Assistant Coach for the professional club Jacksonville Armada FC and as the Club’s Youth Director with oversight of the U9-U12 age brackets. Scott played at Virginia Tech where he led the team to the NCAA Semifinals as team captain. At Strath Haven High School, Scott was an All-American, All-State, and All-County player, and the leading goal scorer in the history of the school. Professionally, Scott played at VfB Stuttgart in Germany.
How did your relationship with the Prep begin?
In 2022, The SWAG began to foster a relationship with the Prep through a connection with Sherman Washington ’05, a Trustee, and Dominique Landry, an assistant soccer coach. While both are connected to the Prep, they are also active with SWAG: Sherman sits on our Advisory Council and Dominique is our Director of Operations and Scheduling. We became intentional with our outreach, which aligned with the Prep’s mission. Our collaboration has been very fruitful and maintains a commitment to our Philadelphia youth, via safe athletic play spaces along with scholarship opportunities.
What were you looking for and how was the Prep a good partner?
We were looking for a safe and accessible indoor space where our young players could continue to train and stay active during the colder months. In Philadelphia, we do not have the luxury of living in a climate that is warm year-round, so the Prep has provided us with a fantastic facility in a convenient location in the heart of Philly for parents to bring their kids in the winter. The Prep’s generosity and flexibility makes it easy for our coaches to focus on creating a fun, inclusive environment where kids can grow through the sport of soccer.
In what ways has the Prep's presence been a benefit?
The Prep’s support has been a game-changer for our program. Having access to their indoor space has allowed us to maintain consistency in our training schedule, which is so important for young kids as they begin to develop their skills. Beyond the physical space, the partnership has also helped us build stronger ties within the Philadelphia community and reach families from all different backgrounds. Being associated with a respected institution like St. Joe’s Prep has opened doors and inspired confidence in the families we serve.
