Annual Pre-Conference Retreat
Each year Play Like a Champion hosts a Pre-Conference spiritual retreat for those interested in attending.
*Registration for the annual retreat is now included in the cost of your full registration! All conference attendees are welcome to join the retreat before the full conference begins with our Opening Social on Wednesday night.
Our 12th annual pre-conference spiritual retreat will be held on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. Prior to the start of the retreat, participants are invited to attend Daily Mass at 11:30 am EDT at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame, followed by a private tour of the Basilica for those interested. The retreat will begin at 1:30 pm EDT with location to be announced.
With the theme "Together", the 2025 Pre-Conference Retreat focused on the importance of connection, our need to surrender, and how we might strive for both holiness and athletic excellence on our journey. The 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 Conference Welcome and Opening Dinner Social follows the retreat in the same location.​
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Each year's retreat allows participants to experience the beautiful campus of the University of Notre Dame (weather permitting) while providing time for prayer, reflection, discussion and building kinship.
What is the Pre-Conference Retreat?
Coaches and sport administrators pour their hearts and souls into their vocation to serve young athletes. The Play Like a Champion retreat offers us all a much needed opportunity to take time out for reflection and spiritual nourishment. Taking place annually on the afternoon prior to the Play Like a Champion Sports Leadership Conference, this retreat provides an opportunity for prayer, reflection and community-building around our shared mission of understanding sport as ministry. The retreat includes lunch and dinner as retreat attendees break bread together in kinship.
Attendees Engage in Discussion During the Pre-Conference Retreat
"I had an incredible time at both the retreat and the conference; it was one of the more meaningful times of my life! I truly feel that I will become a better teacher, coach, and person due to the people that I met and the messages that were given."
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- Joseph Hodge, Knoxville, TN