Before its doors even opened, the nonprofit, Accountability for Life (AFL) received a grant from the Bob Hoffman Sports & Fitness Fund. That support laid the foundation—literally and figuratively—for a movement that’s transforming young lives across York and Adams Counties.
Founded by career football coach Russ Stoner, AFL began as a lifeline for the York High (William Penn) football team. Stoner saw more than just athletes; he saw potential. But he also saw a gap—young men lacking guidance, structure, and the traditional values that he believes are needed to succeed in life.
What started with only a few York City students has grown into a comprehensive, year-round program serving 135 student-athletes from thirteen school districts. AFL’s recruits range from third grade to high school seniors, and college students, many of whom went through the program, now serve as mentors.
AFL’s mission goes beyond sports; it’s about education, discipline, mental health, and character. It’s not just about becoming better athletes—it’s about becoming better people.
Students are required to work toward maintaining a 3.0 GPA and must have a good attendance record at school to remain in the program. The coaches keep parents and caregivers involved and informed of their child’s progress to ensure everyone is held accountable.
With the most recent grant from the Bob Hoffman Sports & Fitness Fund at YCCF, AFL recently underwent a major transformation. With $15,000 in funding, the organization completely retrofitted its weight room. State-of-the-art equipment replaced worn-out gear, and six new weightlifting stations now give students the space and tools they need to train harder, smarter, and safer.
But this wasn’t just a facelift, it was an investment in confidence and pride. The students walk into the facility and see excellence. They feel it, and it fuels their mental and physical growth.
“When you’re using the same equipment every day for the last three years, it wears out quickly. With the new machines, our recruits walk in and feel energized. It’s a place that looks and feels excellent, and that changes how they carry themselves,” shared Coach Stoner.
A Proven Path to Success
The numbers tell a powerful story:
- 100% high-school graduation rate among AFL student-athletes.
- 100% enrollment in post-secondary education or military service.
- Over $3.6 million in scholarships offered to students in the past two years alone.
- Sixty students have gone on to play college football since AFL’s inception in 2017.
- Seven students from the Class of 2026 have already received college football offers—before their senior year begins.
And it’s not just about football. AFL runs six core programs—strength and conditioning, speed and agility, nutrition education, mental health support, leadership development, and spiritual growth through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Students pay a modest monthly fee, which includes everything from SAT prep to college visits and meals—six days a week of programming, structured mentorship, and real-world exposure. York City students attend on full scholarships, while students from surrounding counties receive need-based assistance. “AFL meets them where they are and takes them where they want to go,” remarked Matthew Grzechowiak, Chief Operating Officer at AFL.
During a recent YCCF donor event held at AFL, attendees had the opportunity to hear from current students and mentors participating in the program. Kyzshion Calixte, a 2025 graduate of William Penn High School joined AFL as a tenth grader in 2022. He will be attending Lincoln University in the fall and credits AFL’s staff and program with both his athletic and personal growth. “I grew as a man. I didn’t just become a better football player; I learned time management skills which have made me more responsible. I’ve also gained mental clarity and know how to work harder when I have a goal in mind,” Kyzshion shared with confidence.
Through a friend’s connection to AFL, Jack Gautsch got to see the impact the organization had on building a strong work ethic and culture of brotherhood prior to joining himself. During a visit to the gym with a fellow Bermudian Springs classmate, Jack was impressed with the way the coaches were able to motivate the other student-athletes to push past their perceived mental and physical limits.
“I started training at AFL during my sophomore year in high school and I was coming every day and even on Sundays because I knew I needed to be here. If I hadn’t found out about AFL, I wouldn’t be on the path I’m on now. This program really helped shape me into the man I am today,” Jack said with a grateful smile.
He was accepted into three of his top choice colleges and plans to attend Clarion University in the fall of 2025.
The glowing testimonials continued with a current rising senior at William Penn, Shavane Anderson. Since joining AFL in eighth grade, Shavane not only increased his GPA, but also improved his outlook on life. With seven offers from some of the most prestigious universities in the country, he thanks his peers and staff at AFL for their guidance and support. “I’ve decided to accept an offer from Syracuse University. I’m excited to play football but also feel like I am better equipped to overcome any mental or physical stress I may encounter as a college student,” said Shavane. He plans to major in sports management and plans to give back to other aspiring student-athletes by coming back to serve as a mentor and coach with AFL.
Mentorship, Accountability, and Legacy
AFL’s model encourages mentorship. College-aged alumni return in the summer to train younger athletes. They teach, support, and inspire so the cycle of growth continues.
Through regular communication with families, parent-coach meetings, and strict academic and behavioral expectations, students are held accountable—not just as athletes, but as young adults preparing to lead.
It’s a culture of excellence rooted in community. When the kids fall short, AFL doesn’t give up. They have conversations. They adjust. They keep the goal in sight.
Beyond the Field: Lifting a Community
Russ Stoner’s motivation remains the same: “I love seeing people win,” he says. After three decades of coaching football in York County, including ten years at William Penn, Stoner sees AFL as more than a sports program—it’s a leadership pipeline for the future of the region.
AFL alumni are returning with college degrees, taking jobs in thriving businesses, becoming fathers, and anchoring themselves in their communities. The ripple effect is real.
And the dream is growing. With additional funding, AFL hopes to build a new facility dedicated to female athletes—creating locker rooms and safe spaces for girls to train and lead.
The Power of Exposure
Through partnerships with organizations like Explore York, AFL has hosted mega practices drawing two hundred athletes and eighty college coaches. Ten students received scholarship offers on the spot. Physical testing and exposure trips to campuses like Penn State and California University open new doors—especially for those who’ve never stepped foot on a college campus before.
Like most small nonprofits, they rely on word of mouth, and it seems to be spreading fast. Whether it’s through an application, a parent reaching out, or a coach recognizing untapped potential—AFL is welcoming students with the desire to grow.
In York County and Beyond
With every weight lifted and every lesson learned, AFL is proving what’s possible when a community invests in its youth. With support from the York County Community Foundation and other generous donors, AFL is building more than athletes. It’s building champions. On and off the field.
