The sport management major is leading a global initiative to build accessible turf soccer fields in underserved communities, with the latest project underway in northern Argentina. Inspired by a childhood trip and fueled by study abroad experiences, his mission blends a love of soccer with a drive to create lasting social impact.
Josh Lubetkin ’25 was just 10 years old when he first understood the power of soccer. While visiting Israel, he watched local children play on crumbling courts and dusty patches – fields in name only. Yet, their passion was undeniable.
“These kids need a field,” Lubetkin remembers thinking.
That early spark has grown into a global mission. Now approaching graduation from Elon University, Lubetkin is leading efforts to construct turf soccer fields in underserved communities – his latest project taking shape in Tilcara, a remote mountain village in northern Argentina.
What began as a Bar Mitzvah project in Israel – raising $30,000 to build a turf field at a children’s school in Ofakim, Israel – has evolved into the Lubetkin Field Foundation, a grassroots initiative using soccer as a tool for community building.
“It’s about giving kids a vibrant space to come play,” Lubetkin said, his excitement rising above the many logistical challenges of international work. Those challenges include language barriers, coordination with local officials, and raising funds — all while balancing his responsibilities as a college student.
The idea for the Argentinian project emerged during Lubetkin’s January 2023 study abroad course, Through the Lens of ESPN, led by Associate Professor David Bockino. The class toured major athletic venues, national media outlets, and iconic soccer sites like Boca Juniors, River Plate, and Argentina’s national training facility – an experience Lubetkin ranks among his top five life moments. A lifelong fan of Messi, Di María, and Agüero, he saw Argentina’s recent World Cup victory as the perfect backdrop for his next effort.
In Tilcara, Lubetkin found both inspiration and opportunity. With help from Juan Franchini, a sport consultant and professor at the Argentine University of Enterprise (UADE), he’s navigated the cultural and administrative steps needed to bring the project to life.
Franchini emphasized the importance of the field to Tilcara, a “small and humble community of 12,000,” which has never had a public soccer facility with artificial turf.
City officials hope to build a full soccer complex, and Lubetkin’s field — located on land once used by Argentina’s national team — is the first step.
“This field has to be public and open to everyone. That’s my only requirement,” Lubetkin said. “And it has to be turf, so the community doesn’t have to worry about maintenance.”
The new field – funded once again through a $30,000 campaign – includes goals, balls, and basic equipment. Construction is already underway, with site leveling and concrete work in progress.
Franchini praised Lubetkin’s professionalism and maturity throughout the project’s easy stages.
“He works like a real colleague of sport industry,” Franchini said Lubetkin. “He is responsible and committed to his job. And he is a person you can trust because when he says something, he does it.”
Soccer has always been central to Lubetkin’s life. Though he didn’t compete at the college level, he played varsity soccer in New Jersey and has stayed connected through travel. During a semester abroad in London, he attended 23 Premier League matches – visiting nearly every stadium in the league.
As a young project leader, he admits he’s sometimes underestimated. “People don’t always think it’s real or legitimate at first,” he said. But each completed field adds to his credibility and momentum.
His ultimate vision is ambitious: to build six fields on six continents, creating accessible spaces that empower and connect communities through play. Antarctica might be the only holdout, he joked.
Although Lubetkin originally applied to Elon as a psychology major, a first-year sport management course with Assistant Professor Khirey Walker changed his path. “That class flipped the switch,” Lubetkin said. “I realized I could build a career around what I love.”
“As a student, Josh was always locked in on the material but never afraid to crack a smile or spark some fun in class,” Walker said. “His energy, curiosity, and can-do attitude made him a standout.”
What stood out most, Walker added, was Lubetkin’s curiosity. “He consistently went above and beyond – connecting class concepts to real-world issues and his own career goals.”
Lubetkin now hopes to combine his passion for sport with a career in advertising. After graduation, he’ll head to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to work as an account coordinator for Zimmerman Advertising – a role he hopes will eventually lead him back into the sport industry.
For now, his focus remains on Tilcara and growing the Lubetkin Field Foundation. He’s managing the project solo – building a website, applying for grants, handling fundraising, and spreading the word. His ultimate goal is to turn the foundation into a formal nonprofit and expand to new global locations, with London already on the horizon.
“This has always been about more than just a field,” he said. “It’s about creating safe, joyful spaces for kids to play — and hopefully changing lives in the process.”
Interested in supporting the Lubetkin Field Foundation? Click here.
