For many former athletes, the game eventually ends.
But for Corey Jones, football became the foundation for something bigger.
The former Penn Hills standout and University of Toledo football player is now launching SOS Sports Development — a new youth program focused on using sports to help develop confidence, discipline, teamwork, and life skills for the next generation. According to Corey, the mission goes far beyond simply creating better athletes.
“Our mission is to help the youth generate social development skills using sports,” Jones explained. “At SOS Sports Development, we do more than train athletes — we build futures.”
In today’s youth sports culture, where highlights, rankings, social media attention, and exposure often dominate the conversation, Corey wants to bring the focus back to development both on and off the field.
The program is centered around mentorship, structure, accountability, teamwork, and helping young athletes build the mindset necessary to succeed not just in sports, but in life overall.
“We are committed to uplifting youth through mentorship, teamwork, and opportunity,” the program states.
For Corey, the message carries extra weight because he understands firsthand what sports can provide young people growing up in Western Pennsylvania. Coming from Penn Hills — an area known for producing talented athletes and tough competitors — he experienced how football can create opportunities, discipline, relationships, and life lessons that extend far beyond the field.
Now he’s looking to pour that experience back into the next generation. Programs like SOS Sports Development have become increasingly important as many young athletes today navigate pressure from social media, recruiting culture, peer influence, and environments that can sometimes distract from long-term growth and development. That’s why mentorship matters.
Many young athletes have talent. But not all of them have guidance, structure, or positive leadership consistently around them. Corey believes sports can still be one of the strongest tools for teaching discipline, confidence, communication, accountability, and resilience when approached the right way.
And unlike programs focused only on producing stars, SOS Sports Development appears focused on developing people first. That mentality often resonates strongly with parents looking for positive environments for their children both athletically and socially.
As the program continues growing, Corey hopes to create opportunities that help youth feel empowered while also building strong community connections through sports. Because in the end, sports can teach much more than winning games. They can help shape futures.
What inspired you to start SOS Sports Development?
I started SOS Sports Development because I wanted to give young athletes the type of guidance, structure, and opportunity that can change their lives on and off the field.
What does “Shine or Starve” mean to you personally?
To me, Shine or Starve means you either put the work in and separate yourself, or you get left behind. It’s about effort, discipline, and earning everything.
Why focus on social development along with athletics?
Because talent alone is not enough. Kids need communication skills, confidence, discipline, leadership, and accountability to succeed in life.
How did Penn Hills and Toledo shape your vision?
Penn Hills taught me toughness and pride. Toledo showed me what it takes to compete at the next level. Both experiences helped me understand what young athletes need to grow.
What life lessons did sports teach you?
Sports taught me discipline, teamwork, resilience, sacrifice, and how to respond when things don’t go your way.
What separates SOS Sports Development?
We are more than a training program. We focus on athletic development, mentorship, exposure, character, and building young men for life.
Has social media changed youth sports?
Yes, it gives athletes exposure, but it can also make kids chase attention instead of development. The work still has to come first.
Mistakes young athletes make today?
A lot of young athletes want the spotlight before they master the basics. They focus on highlights instead of habits.
How important is mentorship?
Mentorship is everything. A kid having someone who believes in them, corrects them, and holds them accountable can change their path.
What age groups will SOS focus on?
SOS Sports Development will focus on youth and high school athletes who are serious about improving and growing on and off the field.
Role of discipline and accountability?
They are the foundation. If you can’t be disciplined in training, school, and life, it’s hard to reach your full potential.
Advice for athletes chasing scholarships?
Handle your grades, stay coachable, train consistently, build good habits, and understand that exposure only matters if you are prepared for the opportunity.
Long-term community impact?
I want SOS to create a positive outlet for kids in Pittsburgh and give them access to training, mentorship, competition, and opportunities they may not otherwise have.
Success in five years?
Success looks like athletes earning scholarships, becoming leaders, staying out of trouble, giving back, and SOS being known as a trusted development program in the community.
Message to parents?
If you enroll your child in SOS Sports Development, they are not just coming to train. They are coming to grow, be challenged, be supported, and become better athletes and better people.