Kevin Carroll Katalyst

Drew Chafetz met Kevin Carroll at one of his lectures a year ago at the University of Colorado at Boulder. At the time, he was a senior in college questioning whether to pursue his dream or a more conventional path. Kevin became a catalyst to him following his red rubber ball. Today, Drew and co-founder, Alfredo Axtmayer, are running an organization called love.fútbol that develops sustainable soccer fields for children in rural and impoverished communities worldwide. This Spring they will take on their first project in the small town of Villa Nueva, Guatemala. It will be the organization’s first step toward a global vision of facilitating the game of soccer, a catalyst for youth development, hope and inspiration, to disadvantaged children worldwide. Kevin Carroll’s “Rules of the Red Rubber Ball” is particularly relevant to their story. First, Kevin’s message: follow your dream. Like Kevin, Drew and Alfredo were fortunate to have a red rubber ball. Theirs was a soccer ball and it served as an incredible tool throughout their lives. Drew traveled extensively as a child and because he naturally gravitated toward soccer, spoke the language of the game in many countries and with many cultures. Alfredo played and coached soccer on many levels and has witnessed the game breed important life skills and qualities within children. love.fútbol is the pursuit of a dream and a representation of their passion to spread the joy and power of the game to disadvantaged children abroad. Second, Kevin’s story: “The red rubber ball saved my life.” Across our globe children are faced with extreme hardships. love.fútbol aims to facilitate soccer in children’s lives by keeping them on the field and off the streets. Through providing such a venue or destination, doors open for the game itself to be a catalyst for youth development. Kevin’s life is a direct symbol of the power of sport— his story demonstrates that something as simple as a ball can help a child overcome great obstacles. As they pursue their red rubber ball, the catalyst reaction continues. Drew and Alfredo are proud to take part in the movement of sport for social change.