FOX Sports helps Boys & Girls Clubs 2024 National Youth of the Year make an impact directly through its scholarship programs. Until last month, Nico had never seen a Major League Baseball game live.
His only previous visit to an MLB stadium was a distant memory from third grade, when his school chorus sang the national anthem at an Atlanta Braves game. The now-18-year-old freshman at Florida State recalls little from that day, other than dozing off on the way to the game and quickly waking up to sing before leaving right after.
“I asked my mom, ‘Why can’t we stay?'” Nico recalled. “And she was like, ‘Just mind your business.’ We just kept going.”
When Nico finally arrived at Dodger Stadium, he was determined to soak in the experience. Little did he realize that he was about to meet the “MLB on FOX” crew and be recognized as the latest recipient of the FOX Sports World Series scholarship, awarded to him on behalf of his hometown Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Florida in Jacksonville.
“I remember being at the game and seeing 52,700 on the scoreboard,” Nico said. “I thought, ‘That’s crazy.’ I was amazed by the size of the stadium and then got to walk into a dugout and see the coaches and players up close. Being surrounded by that history was incredibly cool and fascinating.”
Nico also took time to learn about the production crew’s stories, intrigued by the meticulous planning involved in executing pregame festivities at both the stadium and on television. While absorbing the grandeur around him, he was approached by FOX Sports CEO and Executive Producer Eric Shanks, a proud alumnus of the Boys & Girls Club who now serves on its national board of governors.
Shanks then signaled to the “MLB on FOX” studio crew, which included host Kevin Burkhardt and MLB legends Derek Jeter, David Ortiz, and Alex Rodriguez, who had just finished their pregame show for World Series Game 2. Rodriguez, like Shanks, is also a former “club kid” and remains actively involved with the Boys & Girls Club.
“Nico, it’s your turn,” Shanks said.
Initially, Nico thought he was merely stepping in for a photo opportunity with the famous quartet.
“And then Kevin starts talking,” Nico recalled. “I’m like, ‘OK.’ Then he keeps talking, he’s like, ‘Yeah, we’re giving you this award.’ I just kind of froze for a little bit.”
Burkhardt explained that the FOX Sports World Series scholarship consists of a $15,000 grant to the local Boys & Girls Club in honor of the BGCA National Youth of the Year, distributed as $5,000 scholarships to the next three recipients of the Club Youth of the Year award.
“That was the biggest thing to me,” Nico said. “Just hearing that I’m able to impact other students from my hometown.”
Immediately, images of specific BGCA members from his home club who might benefit from the scholarships flashed through Nico’s mind.
“I had a chance to speak with one of my ‘younger brothers’ from Jacksonville,” Nico said. “Hearing how this could impact him and recognizing his ambition makes me so happy. These are the people I want to inspire, and they allow me to do that. I didn’t ask for anything like this, but I’m grateful. I never could have imagined something like this happening, but it really helps ease the burden for families.”
“The person I call my little brother, Caleb, has a mom who has worked incredibly hard. They are immigrants, and she is striving to support his education and manage housing costs. A $5,000 scholarship would mean a lot to them. That’s who I envision this award helping. It’s not just about the $15,000 in my name; it’s about the $5,000 for any student who wins [Club Youth of the Year] in Northeast Florida. That’s significant. It’s really significant.”
Nico understands the impact of such support firsthand. After experiencing homelessness, including living out of a trash bag and wearing the same outfit for days, he was encouraged to join the Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Florida when his family moved from Atlanta to Jacksonville as he entered high school.
Now, he credits the BGCA with helping him find himself during a difficult time, allowing him to work on personal growth and acquire essential life skills.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s 2024-25 National Youth of the Year Nico F. is congratulated by the “MLB on FOX” crew after his hometown club received the FOX Sports World Series scholarship in his honor. (Photo by FOX Sports)
“They taught me how to navigate life and find joy in my circumstances,” Nico said. “BGCA specifically helped enhance my leadership skills and emphasized the importance of building genuine relationships with others, while not dwelling on the past. My past does not define who I am.”
“If all young people had the insight that I had, I would feel like I did my job. I’m only 18, and everything I envisioned for myself at 15 or 14 has come true.”
Nico has ambitious goals ahead. Currently studying political science at Florida State University, he dreams of becoming a United States representative. He also has a passion for fashion, which has led him to establish both a nonprofit organization and a clothing brand.
Nico found inspiration in fellow BGCA member Pearle, who sang the national anthem before Game 2 of the World Series. She shared how her BGCA experience empowered her to change her major and pursue her true passion in college.
First ball deliverer from the Boys and Girls Club of America Nico F. acknowledges the crowd prior to Game 2 of the 2024 World Series. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Two moments from that evening at Dodger Stadium stand out for Nico. The first was discovering his favorite exhibit in the ballpark — a large portrait of Jackie Robinson. He took a picture next to the MLB color barrier-breaking legend and hopes to frame it. The second was hearing Jeter speak highly of him both in private and during the “MLB on FOX” postgame show segment about the scholarship.
“My uncle, who watches baseball a lot, is one of my biggest role models,” Nico said. “He called me because one of his biggest role models just said my name on national TV. That’s incredible. It’s something you could only dream of. For so long, I felt voiceless, and now I have a voice that resonates with those who want to hear me. It feels good.”
Nico now aims to continue helping others realize their dreams.
“The most significant thing I can do right now is spread positivity and let people know they can achieve anything they set their minds to,” Nico said. “I’m only 18. It feels like my life has just begun, and I’m already helping someone else get an education.”
