Leadership, service, and connection are at the heart of the student-athlete experience for Will Bergin, who recently completed his eligibility in football. Will made an impact both on and off the field through his involvement with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), the Penn Athletics Wharton Leadership Academy (PAWLA), and Young Quakers Community Athletics (YQ).

For Will, leadership starts with trust.

"Leadership is mostly about being someone people can trust," he shared. "On my team, that means showing up consistently, holding myself accountable, and supporting my teammates both on and off the field. In student groups, it's about listening and helping create an environment where people feel comfortable speaking up and being themselves."

Through leading by example, Bergin strives to make those around him feel supported and valued. As a SAAC member, one of his primary goals is strengthening the connection between the members of SAAC and the everyday student-athlete experience.

"I want to improve communication between SAAC and individual teams," he said, "so athletes feel like their voices are being heard."

Outside of supporting the voice of all Penn student-athletes, Will dedicated four years as an active member of PAWLA, developing his own leadership skills before bolstering the leadership development of the incoming classes.

Amy Coffey, Director of PAWLA, has had the pleasure of working with Will during his entire tenure as a Quaker.

"Will is a clear example of the transformation that can happen when a student-athlete chooses to invest in their leadership growth through PAWLA," she said. "Will has become an influential leader both on the football team and for Penn Athletics because of the work he has put in to develop greater self-awareness and find his voice as a leader."

Beyond being a leader in the Penn Athletics community, Will said, "I'm also really interested in providing more activities and engagements within the community of Philadelphia." His actions speak louder than his words when it comes to engagements within the broader community. Since his sophomore year, Will has been an active member of the Young Quakers, and it's clear that he has gained as much as he's given.

"Being part of YQ means using your platform as a student-athlete for a greater cause and being able to create lasting relationships with kids that come from a different background than myself," he said. "I was grateful for the opportunity to make lasting connections and hopefully encourage people to become a part of YQ."

He didn't stop here.

"Will has been an invaluable member of Young Quakers Community Athletics," said Emma Springer, Assistant Director in the Pottruck Center for Student-Athlete Success. "His contributions have grown significantly each year. From working as a coach during summer programming to supporting the work of the Netter Center for Community Partnerships, each aspect has elevated the program and the students' experience significantly. His absence will be felt but the impact he's made will long remain."

Bergin's journey as a student-athlete has prepared him well for the future. Through balancing academics, athletics, and leadership roles, he has developed strong time-management skills, discipline under pressure, and confidence as both a teammate and leader. These experiences, he says, have helped him feel ready to step into life after sports.

As Bergin looks ahead, he is drawn to fast-paced, people-focused careers that emphasize teamwork, collaboration, and problem-solving. Whether in business, sports, or another field, his goal is to continue learning, take on challenges, and make a meaningful impact.

Will Bergin is a prime example that when you invest in yourself and your community during your time as a Penn Quaker, you leave a lasting legacy in your program, the department, and the community as a whole.

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