Former Gov. Mifflin star Nick Singleton, now a Penn State sophomore, signs autographs Sunday for several children who attended his free football clinic at Gov. Mifflin Stadium. (RICH SCARCELLA–READING EAGLE)
The awestruck children gathered around the star attraction Sunday when the second Nick Singleton Football Clinic was cut short because of approaching storm clouds at Gov. Mifflin Stadium.
The estimated 120 boys and girls – more than twice as many who attended last year – were there to receive football advice from Singleton, the former Mustangs great and Penn State sophomore, to get his autograph or pose for a photo with him.
“One of the kids said, ‘Oh, my God, it’s Nick Singleton and he shook my hand,’ ” he said. “You know how little kids are. I was star-struck, too, when I was their age.”
Singleton, the 2022 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, was clearly at ease during the free two-hour clinic, which was sponsored by Gatorade. He seemed to enjoy being around the kids and interacting with them.
“It’s unbelievable how he’s grown from last year to this year,” said Mifflin coach Jeff Lang. “He doesn’t like to stand and talk to an entire group. But when you watch him go from group to group, throwing the ball to the kids, giving them handoffs and talking to them, it’s unbelievable.”
Singleton has gained much confidence in the last year. He enjoyed a sensational freshman season, rushing for 1,061 yards and 12 touchdowns and making seven runs of at least 40 yards, third in the nation. He’s been named to a couple preseason All-America teams.
He was home and relaxed Sunday in Shillington surrounded by his family, friends and coaches.
“It means a lot to be here, where it all started,” Singleton said. “Being back here in my community means a lot to me. I want to keep giving back to the community. I’ve been in their shoes. I want to give back to them.”
In conjunction with the clinic, Gatorade donated $12,500 to the Mifflin Broncos youth football and cheerleading program and $12,500 to the Olivet Boys and Girls Club of Reading and Berks County.
Christian Singleton, Nick’s older brother, works as a site director for Olivet, and Nick participated in its programs when he was younger.
“We had 40 of our kids here,” said Chris Winters, Olivet president and CEO. “To see them engaged with Nick and having Christian work for us is kind of a blessing. Nick always seems to have time for our kids. He always makes an effort to help our kids. That’s just who he is.
“He’s pure class. He’s pure character. To see him succeed and still be as humble as he is and to see him make sure those who don’t have opportunities get opportunities like this speaks volumes about who he is as a person and as a man.”
Singleton’s partnership with Gatorade began in late 2021 when he was named the company’s Pennsylvania Player of the Year and its National Player of the Year after his spectacular career at Mifflin.
He set Berks career records with 6,326 rushing yards and 116 touchdowns as he led the Mustangs to a 32-11 record, three Berks Football League Section 1 titles and a District 3 Class 5A championship.
Singleton has high hopes for Penn State’s 2023 season because the Lions return 13 starters after an 11-2 season capped by a Rose Bowl win over Utah. They’re ranked in the top 10 by several preseason magazines.
“Everybody’s saying this could be the year and I believe that,” he said. “The whole team believes that. The coaches believe that. We just have to take it one game at a time.
“We know what to expect. Our (offseason) workouts have been crazy. We’ve been training hard and doing extra work on and off the field. We could just tell. We just know this could be the year.”
As their son spoke to the kids, Tim and Nichole Singleton beamed with pride. They’ve watched him grow in so many ways in the last 18 months.
“This was really nice,” Tim Singleton said. “I think all the kids enjoyed themselves. They were happy to see Nicholas. I want to thank Gatorade, the Gov. Mifflin coaches and the Olivets for everything they’ve done for him.
“He’s more mature. He’s growing into a young man.”