As the new school year is in full swing, so is the Buford chapter of All Pro Dad.
At its first official meeting for the 2024-2025 school year on Sept. 10 at Buford Arena, guest speaker Jared Cook, a former North Gwinnett High School graduate and NFL player, spoke to the audience about extending grace, both to oneself and to others. He was the first of many surprise speakers scheduled for the upcoming school year.
Frank Tu, a Buford father of three, attended All Pro Dad with his children.
“It was great seeing so many dads there with their kids,” Tu said.
In addition to Chick-fil-A biscuits, Tu appreciated the message from Cook.
“It’s important to communicate with your kids and get an understanding of what they’re going through,” he said.
All Pro Dad is a nationwide program started by Mark Merrill, founder and president of Family First Inc., which is described on its website as “a national non-profit organization that provides online and on-the-ground resources that help people love their families well.” All Pro Dad boasts big name contributors such as Tony Dungy, Kirk Cousins and Dabo Swinney.
The vision for the Buford City Schools chapter, specifically, is “to create meaningful opportunities for fathers or a chosen family member to spend quality morning time with their children, strengthening their bond and deepening their relationship,” said Katie Neal, assistant principal at Buford Elementary School.
The Buford chapter of All Pro Dad started at Buford Academy back in 2008, initially for students in second through fifth grades. However, much like the community itself, it has expanded over the years, and the program now serves families at Buford Elementary School, Buford Academy and Buford Senior Academy, which includes students in kindergarten through fifth grade.
Each gathering of All Pro Dad aims to “feature discussion topics and thought-provoking questions designed to help fathers or another chosen family member and their children engage in conversations about relevant issues, fostering connection and understanding,” Neal said. By partnering with Jeff Francoeur, a Buford community member, parent and former Major League Baseball player, the Buford chapter has been able to arrange for a variety of speakers, including NFL, NBA and MLB players, as well as local community leaders, pastors and coaches. Since its inception, two of the most memorable speakers have been retired MLB pitcher John Smoltz and former Georgia Bulldog defensive standout David Pollack, whose passionate messages left a lasting impression on all those in attendance.
In addition, the speakers themselves leave their presentations with a sense of satisfaction.
“Speakers have expressed appreciation for the opportunity to highlight the importance of relationships with children and share inspiring messages,” Neal said. “They often mention the rewarding experience of seeing a ‘light bulb’ moment in the adults’ expressions, feeling that they’ve empowered numerous families within a special community.”
With the speakers usually kept secret until the event, an element of surprise and excitement awaits those families who attend All Pro Dad. With messages accessible to parents and children alike, All Pro Dad aims to make an impact in the community by providing a positive experience for all involved, as well as an avenue for kids and parents to openly discuss important issues and spend much-needed time together.
Derek Rackley, a Buford dad and former NFL player who also served as a guest speaker at All Pro Dad a few years ago, reflected on his years of attending with his two daughters.
“I certainly know that I looked forward to that 30-40 minutes together with the girls at these events,” Rackley said. “Thanks to all the Buford City Schools and staff for organizing these events and doing such a great job providing this outlet for kids and dads.”
FEATURED PHOTO: Buford Academy Principal Elena Vo, left, and Buford Elementary School Principal Mark Graves, right, pose for a photo with NFL player Jared Cook, a graduate of North Gwinnett High School who spoke at the September gathering of the Buford City Schools chapter of All Pro Dad. Photo by Kimberly Dorminy with Buford Senior Academy.
