Valley has received a $125,000 grant from the National Football League's Play It Smart program.
The program is geared toward improving players livelihoods off the field, with an emphasis on education.
Valley coach Troy Hill said the program started a few years ago in Lawrence, N.J. He said it is relatively new to WPIAL schools.
Valley assistant coach George Webb, who helped Valley apply for the grant, said McKeesport and a few City League schools such as Westinghouse, where he was a long-time coach, are using the program.
"It's snowballing," Webb said. "The program isn't just about football. It's about life skills."
Hill said Valley will be given an academic coach, who will organize study halls and help to monitor classroom activity.
A portion of the grant will be used to pay the academic coach. Hill said other portions may be used for group events, such as team field trips.
"This is a big step for our football program," Hill said.
