Monique Boykins, known to her players as “Coach Mo” is a basketball coach for various teams including Penn Wood High School Lady Patriots, former player, speaker, and scientist.

It was in third grade when Boykins picked up her first basketball. She recalls being the only girl in her neighborhood basketball program in Yeadon, Pennsylvania.“I tried out because I was taller than all the guys,” Boykins explains, “And they had me out there playing with the boys. For two years, I was the only girl.” Years later, she would accumulate 1,064 rebounds at her high school, Penn Wood, still holding the school record to this day.



After high school, Boykins set out to play for Kutztown University studying biology. After graduating, she toured briefly with the Global Sports Academy, playing basketball in Belgium, Holland, and France. In 2009, she became the girl's coach at Penn Wood, would coach Lower Merion for two years, then returned to coach Penn Wood in 2019. Her unique coaching style has successfully rebuilt the Lady Patriots of Penn Wood into a successful and competitive basketball program. Under Boykin’s leadership, her graduating seniors achieved academic success as well as a result of the skills and character development gained within Boykin’s program.

When  “Coach Mo” isn’t on the basketball court, she’s in the lab working as a scientist to create vaccines and lead quality training within firms like MedImmune. “I knew what I wanted to be in 7th grade. I got excited about it and kept telling myself in the mirror that I was going to be a scientist.” Boykins shares that coaching allows her to teach her athletes the importance of following their passions just like she did. It is Boykins’ goal that every young woman in her programs mature into not only the best ballplayer but the very best person they were created to be. “Let your passion be your vehicle to your success,” Boykins said.

Monique believes strongly in giving back to her community and in 2011, when she became aware that the local P.A.L. in Darby, PA had fallen apart, Monique created the “Jump‐Start” basketball league at the Darby Recreation Center providing a fun and competitive basketball league for children and young adults. Under this umbrella, Monique developed and ran the basketball league for men 8‐25 years of age. She is also the founder of “Team Success” a travel basketball program that exposes players to Division-1 and Division-2 schools.

Philly Girls Got Game Day

January 7th, 9:00 am- 12:00 pm

Together with C. B. Moore Rec Center, the Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative is hosting the first-ever Philly Girls Got Game day at the C.B. Rec Center (2551 N 22nd St)! This Girls-focused event is open to all girls to try new activities, and sports, hang out with new and old friends, and play in a safe environment!

Email Emily Desabato at edesabato@pysc.org if your organization is interested in joining us!

Girls in Sport Coach Workshop

January 12th, 4:30-7 pm

Join the Collaborative for an exclusive coaching workshop, Girls in Sport, on January 12th which the Center for Healing and Justice will facilitate through Sport. This session will focus on specific tactics for building dynamic connections between coach-mentors and female athletes.

Click Here to RSVP

Supporting the Mission: Implementing Fundraising Strategies

January 24th and February 6th

Funds are critical to support the work and a fundraising strategy is a key to ensuring consistent resources for programs. This workshop will take a look at current fundraising trends during the past year, and provide step-by-step guidance for building an effective, low-cost campaign. We'll talk about strategies for encouraging donors to participate, techniques for engaging your board and volunteers in your campaign, and options for free and inexpensive online tools to support your efforts. Attendees will leave ready to plan their fundraising efforts based on a fresh understanding of current donor motivations and fundraising trends.

Hosted by Allison Trimarco

RSVP Here

Parks & Rec Heroes Forum: Safe and Clean Sites

January 11th, 7-8 pm

Join Parks & Rec to discuss the challenges and opportunities of making sites safe, clean, and ready to use.

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Live Like Blaine Captains’ Practice Leadership Conference

January 16th, 10:00 am to 2:30 pm

The free conference will help engage and inform student-athletes on how to lead with authenticity and hear from leaders in sports and business as well as college athletes. Speakers include Alanna Shanahan Director of Athletics and Recreation at UPENN and Leah Murphy Strategic Consultant and Corporate Strategy professional.

Click Here to Sign Up

Bicycle Coalition Youth Cycling Coach

Click Here to Apply or Email your resume to malaku@bicyclecoalition.org to apply

PYB Director of Finance

Click Here to Apply