Play Like a Champion Today
Sports Leadership Conference
Save the Date: Our 2024 Conference Will Take Place
June 13-14, 2024 at the University of Notre Dame
We are excited to gather again next June for the 2024 Play Like a Champion Today Sports Leadership Conference on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. This annual event brings together our national community to connect with each other, learn from a great group of speakers and be inspired.
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! Next summer's conference will once again offer partiicpants the opportunity to collaborate on strategies for building a brighter, healthier and more just culture for youth and high school sports. Join us to learn from an exciting group of speakers and interact with an amazing network of leaders from our national community!
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"This conference was outstanding! I was a first time participant and loved the content. I can use it both at a professional and personal level."
Conference Schedule
*All times for Retreat and Conference are Eastern Daylight Time. Subject to change.
The 2024 Conference will once again feature a number of great opportunities to experience the beautiful campus of the University of Notre Dame and its state-of-the-art facilities. Attendees can look forward to our annual banquet dinner in the Downes Ballroom while overlooking the historic Notre Dame Football Stadium, as well as many other fun activities to be announced! While on campus, we invite you to explore the famous Golden Dome, take a photo of "Touchdown Jesus", visit the Snite Museum, light a candle at the grotto, take a jog around St. Joseph Lake or have a pint at the local Irish Pub. Guests will find many fun things to do outside the conference schedule!
Curious About What to Expect? Click Above to Access the Official 2023 Conference Program!
Speakers for the 2024 Conference will be announced at a later date. The 2023 Conference featured keynote sessions with former Notre Dame football captain, NFL veteran and long-time media personality Mike Golic and 2016 Olympian Priscilla Loomis. They were joined by an incredible lineup of speakers who inspired and educated participants [click the 2023 program above to read a full list]. Past highlights have also included Hall of Fame Coaches such as Muffet McGraw (2017), Lou Holtz and Jay Wright (2020), Athletic Directors like Notre Dame's Jack Swarbrick (2019), and inspiring athletes such as Devon Still (2022). Each year also includes featured speakers and breakout sessions from leaders in sports medicine, psychology, theology, coaching and more. We look forward to announcing our 2024 speakers in the new year.
Featured Speakers
Annual Pre-Conference Retreat
Next Year's Retreat Will Be Held Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Our 10th annual pre-conference spiritual retreat will be held on Wednesday, June 12th beginning at 1:00 pm EDT. The retreat is an opportunity for athletic leaders to pause after a busy year, 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 retreat will allow participants to experience the beautiful campus of the University of Notre Dame (weather permitting) while providing time for prayer, reflection and discussion. Those interested in participating may register as part of registration for the full Leadership Conference. We hope to see you there!
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?
100% of participants attending our last in person 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.”
“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.”
"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."
