Two football players interact with elementary school children in classroom

San Bernardino Valley College football players Kane Richardson, left, and Gabe Warren interact with students at Urbita Elementary School in San Bernardino on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. 

Photo credit: Angel Castillo

CONTACT: Paul Bratulin, San Bernardino Valley College: pbratulin@valleycollege.edu / (909) 384-8978 

 

SAN BERNARDINO – The San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) football team kicked off a mentorship collaboration with an elementary school two blocks from the stadium and campus where the Wolverines play. 

“I want to share our excitement to partner with you – that our football program will be coming and working with the students and reading and doing math, and really coming together as a community,” SBVC President Gilbert J. Contreras said at Urbita Elementary School’s back to school night on Aug. 6. 

The partnership will bring several SBVC football players to Urbita on the Friday before each home football game to mentor students. The elementary students will receive a ticket to the game. SBVC’s home opener is Sept. 5 against Los Angeles Valley College. 

“This is a great situation for us, a great situation for our guys,” said SBVC head football coach James Griffin-Avant. 

Urbita Principal Dennis Wolbert predicted a championship season for SBVC and encouraged parents and guardians to bring their kids to the games. 

SBVC outreach coordinator Rocio Martinez said the partnership aims to strengthen SBVC’s connection with the community and create valuable experiences and opportunities for students.