With help from a grant from the Lang Center for Civic & Social Responsibility, Omri Gal ’19 began Design FC, an after-school program in partnership with the U.S. Soccer Foundation that teaches fifth- and sixth-grade students at Stetser Elementary in Chester, Pa., on creative thinking and self expression through design. Each student spent the year designing their own soccer jersey, in which they visually represented what means most to them – their families, their city, their favorite music artists, and more. By chance, Gal was connected with Warren Creavalle, a midfielder for the Philadelphia Union professional soccer team based in Chester, who is also a designer with his own clothing label. Creavalle attended after school sessions almost every week, and became an integral part of Design FC.

“Our main focus is really to have students trust their creative instincts and to encourage creative thinking and self-expression through design,” says Gal, a psychology and peace & conflict studies major. “Then, the main focus ultimately was that each student designs their own soccer jersey. When it all came together, it was definitely one of my favorite moments of the whole year.”

Design FC works in partnership with Chester-Upland Youth Soccer, a non-profit run by Brendan Grady ’09, who currently is an assistant coach for the Swarthmore men’s soccer team.

Ayo George ’22, Luke Neureiter ’22, and Widener student Noah Smeriglio ’22 also worked with students throughout the year, and helped run several design sessions.

This video was produced by the Philadelphia Union. To learn more about the Union, follow them on Twitter (@PhilaUnion), Instagram (@philaunion), and Facebook.