The Valley League Unites Communities Through Basketball

The Valley League has rapidly become an important part of the Lehigh Valley community, uniting locals through the love of basketball. It was founded by Erick Marfil in 2018 during his senior year at Lehigh Carbon Community College. “I wanted to use my love of the game of basketball to bring people together, teach the youth and show them that there are stars amongst them, and to bring my personal collegiate and professional basketball player friends back to their community for their families and friends to see them play again,” says Marfil.

The organization’s mission is to serve the greater Lehigh Valley by using basketball to create community bonds and support future generations. Through various initiatives – including basketball games, shoe drives, skills clinics, scholarships, and mentoring programs – The Valley League has impacted around 2500 people.

Some of The Valley League’s future plans include expanding to a full season of games, camp clinics, additional scholarships, and community games. These efforts aim to create a family-friendly environment where individuals can enjoy high-level basketball, players can hone their skills, and youth can learn from mentors who have walked similar paths.

The league has no shortage of success stories. Notably, after a season with The Valley League, a player secured a full scholarship at a Division I school. Additionally, in 2021, the league hosted its first NBA player appearance, drawing a full house and uniting the Allentown community in support of their hometown team. These milestones are just the beginning of what the league wants to accomplish in the future.

There are also some challenges to face, particularly in securing venues for operations and managing rising costs. The organization relies heavily on donations and ticket sales to fund its seasons. Nevertheless, The Valley League has emerged as one of the premier leagues on the East Coast, gaining national recognition on platforms such as ESPN, Overtime, House of Highlights, and Bleacher Report.

The Valley League is an excellent example of how passion and dedication can transform a simple idea into a pillar of the community. “We started out of a small city of Allentown,” says Marfil, “[and] we know that a mustard seed can grow huge and we’re defying the odds every day!”

To Help Support This Organization please visit: The Valley League – Humanitarian Social Innovations