Each year we bring together student-athletes from high schools around the country and help them become character leaders on and off the field.
For nine days, these athletes live together and play competitive-level soccer (boys and girls), basketball (boys and girls), or lacrosse (girls). Immersed in a growth-mindset culture, they debate, compete, develop new skills, celebrate achievements, share meals and personal experiences, embrace and question new concepts — and, of course, sweat!
We cap Sports Challenge at 140 student-athletes and offer a unique 1-5 coach-athlete ratio, as well as a mentor for each student. Coaches are leaders from high school and college athletic programs around the country, and their dynamic engagement is key to Sports Challenge’s differentiating experience.
Research tells us that the most effective leaders possess six core competencies: self-awareness, grit, teamwork, empathy, self-efficacy, and gratitude. The Sports Challenge curriculum is focused on developing these competencies in student-athletes, using the Strive curriculum model as a framework, on and off the playing field.
Instructional themes vary, from conflict resolution to followership and risk. Through the Brush It Off mistake ritual, daily Red Shirt Awards and Appreciations, and hilarious Pompines, student-athletes also learn the value of intentional rituals and traditions in building strong, aligned cultures.
At Sports Challenge we celebrate diversity, cultivating a group of student-athletes from a variety of backgrounds and locations across the U.S. Learning to work with different people is a key feature of the program. Students share every part of every day with people who may be very different from themselves — for many students, this is a new experience. We offer a robust scholarship program so that all athletes who are accepted can come Strive with us.
We accept applications to Sports Challenge on a rolling basis, until all spots are filled.
If you are a coach who would like to nominate a student athlete(s), please fill out the Nomination Form.
Once your application has been submitted, our admissions committee will review applicants and award interviews to selected student athletes.
Sports Challenge Tuition: $2,000
Deposit: $500/nonrefundable; due within two weeks of acceptance to reserve your place.
Cancellation policy: Due to the contractual agreements and payment schedule of the institutions, resources and people who come together to create Sports Challenge, we are unable to offer any refunds for cancellations of any kind received within 30 days of the start date of the program.
We offer merit and need-based financial aid. Apply for financial aid on your Sports Challenge Application.
From the moment athletes get off the bus at Sports Challenge, they are immersed in the rigorous, motivating culture of Strive. The program is demanding and supportive — driving athletes to improve their game on and off the field. They take risks in a safe environment. They have the chance to fail hard and then to brush off and learn from failure. This balance creates lasting, long-term growth in both athletic performance and individual development.
At Sports Challenge the coaches and staff change
Coaches immerse themselves as mentors and teachers in all aspects of the
Our coaches are character-driven leaders, and they’re drawn to Sports Challenge for its strong, positive, high-energy culture. At Sports Challenge the coaches, just like the student-athletes, can be their best selves.
