Play Like a Champion Today
Sports Leadership Conference
The 2025 Play Like a Champion Today Sports Leadership Conference took place June 18-20, 2025 on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. This annual event brings together our national community to connect with each other, learn from an outstanding group of speakers and be inspired in our role as mentors for youth. 2025 schedule and speaker information can be found here for those interested in what a typical conference looks like.
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The 2025 conference theme Inspiring Collective Leadership was a testament to the tremendous group of speakers and attendees who gather each summer to share their own stories and learn from fellow leaders in youth and high school sports. Together, this community works to create a positive impact and to develop the next generation of leaders in the student-athletes we serve.​
The Play Like a Champion Today Sports Leadership Conference is the premiere annual gathering of youth and high school athletic administrators, coaches and leaders from across North America. The conference celebrates the three pillars of connection, education and inspiration, with each year offering a unique opportunity to interact in kinship with like-minded sport leaders while learning core elements of the Play Like a Champion approach. The fantastic speakers and stimulating break-out groups are sure to inspire all! Each summer's conference offers particpants the opportunity to collaborate on strategies for building a brighter, healthier and more just sport culture for student-athletes. Join us to learn from an exciting group of speakers and interact with an amazing network of leaders from our national community!
Who Should Come? Administrators, coaches and community leaders involved in youth and high school sports or concerned with the health and well-being of children across America. This conference is for those who want to learn from experts, engage with peers, and find ways to take action in their own communities and schools. Whether you're an athletic director or coach, a business executive or a community leader, you will find valuable discussion, learning, and kinship at this unique annual gathering.
"The experience last year was truly transformative for me, both spiritually and professionally.
Not only did I learn invaluable lessons on leadership, team building, and character development, but I also gained profound insights that deepened my spiritual journey. The guidance shared during the sessions was incredibly impactful, and I’ve been able to immediately apply many of these teachings in my role as a director." - 2024 Participant
Annual Pre-Conference Retreat
Our 12th annual pre-conference spiritual retreat will take place on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. The 2025 Retreat kicked-off the conference with the theme "Together", focusing on the importance of connection, our need to surrender, and how we might strive for both holiness and athletic excellence on our journey. This annual retreat offers a chance for busy leaders to pause, reflect on the graces they have encountered, and re-energize so that they can continue to pour themselves out to the athletes and staff entrusted to their care. The 2026 Retreat will take place on campus at the University of Notre Dame, with time and location to be announced. The Conference Welcome and Opening Dinner follow in the same location.​
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The annual retreat is included in your conference registration. We hope you'll join us!
"This is my favorite conference I have attended." - 2024 Participant
Play Like a Champion is committed to assuring that all children have an opportunity to enjoy the benefits of youth sports in a safe and fun environment. Through our annual conference, coach and parent education, and initiatives like A Team for Every Child, this work is improving the lives of children in communities across the country. If you are unable to make the conference this year, please still consider a tax-deductible donation of $100 or more to support Play Like a Champion's mission. Click the link below to donate today!
What are people saying about the Play Like a Champion Today Conference?
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100% of participants attending our last conference said it met or exceeded their expectations.
“I love the feeling of family this conference leaves you with.”
“It’s always the people at the conference and the opportunity to engage in discussions with them about how they live out this mission within their own schools and leagues that is powerful. This is a phenomenal group committed to the well-being of our children and the mission of virtue driven sports. It’s your biggest asset as a program and this conference allows the group to get together in one place and interact.”
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“Seeing the conference first-hand was great. Athletics today really needs your message! Great values and strong character can and should be the results of an athletic program, but they have to be at the forefront of the program. You are reinforcing those concepts to all of your participants and that will be a great help to all the kids playing in their programs!”
“ I met such wonderful people from all over the place. I gained great new ideas from them and different perspectives on life. Also, the conference was very well run and professional by a wonderful organization with such committed energetic people.
“This is a fantastic conference that exceeded my expectations. It was organized and professional. The speakers were very impactful and inspiring! All the content was relevant, informative and thought provoking. The conference created collaboration with seminar formats and close interaction with presenters and colleagues.”
“It is a summer ritual to attend the conference to be inspired and motivated to prepare for another year in coaching and education.”
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"I loved the subject matter of this conference – it was both informative and inspirational. These are subjects most people are uncomfortable discussing and the conference presented it in a very positive and professional light."