Develop the person. Build the leader. Elevate the team.
The Athlete Leadership Pathway is an interactive leadership development experience designed specifically for student-athletes. Through engaging, hands-on sessions, athletes build the confidence, self-awareness, communication skills, and leadership tools they need to positively influence the people around them.
The pathway progresses through three levels — Lead Self → Lead Others → Lead the Team — helping athletes understand that leadership isn’t about a title. It’s about how you show up, how you impact others, and the standard you choose to set.
The lessons start in sport, but the leadership skills last far beyond it.
Level 1 - Lead Self
Level 2 - Lead Others
Level 3 - Lead the Team
Athlete Leadership Pathway
Young athletes spend thousands of hours developing their technical skills, physical abilities, and understanding of the game. But some of the skills that will matter most to their teams and long after their playing careers end are rarely intentionally developed.
→ How do you respond after making a mistake?
→ How do you communicate when things get difficult?
→ How do you earn the trust of your teammates?
→ How do you hold yourself and others accountable?
→ How do you lead when no one gave you the title?
Leadership isn't reserved for captains. It's a set of skills that can be learned, practiced, and strengthened.
That's what the Athlete Leadership Pathway is designed to develop.
LEADERSHIP IS MORE THAN Being A CAPTAIN
Lead Your Self
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Lead Others
✳︎
Lead the Team
✳︎
Lead Your Self ✳︎ Lead Others ✳︎ Lead the Team ✳︎
Which Level is Right for me?
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Level 1
LEAD SELF
Leadership starts with understanding yourself. Athletes build greater self-awareness, confidence, resilience, and personal responsibility while learning how their mindset and actions influence their performance and the people around them.
What You’ll Gain:
Greater self-awareness
Confidence
Resilience
Tools to lead yourself through challenges
Who It’s For: Athletes in grades 7–9 who are beginning to develop their leadership skills and want to become more confident, self-aware teammates.
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Level 2
LEAD OTHERS
Leadership is influence, not a title. Athletes learn how to build trust, communicate effectively, understand different personalities, navigate conflict, and positively influence the people around them.
What You’ll Gain:
Stronger communication skills
Greater awareness of others
Tools for building trust
Navigating conflict and positively influencing teammates
Who It’s For: Athletes in grades 9–12 who are ready to strengthen their impact on teammates and lead effectively with or without a formal leadership role.
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Level 3
LEAD THE TEAM
Great leaders help shape the environment around them. Athletes learn how to create accountability, navigate difficult conversations, strengthen team culture, and establish standards that help teams perform at their best.
You’ll Gain Tools for:
Holding others accountable
Having difficult conversations
Leading team culture
Setting standards
Leading a group toward shared goals.
Who It’s For: Experienced high school athletes, team leaders, and athletes ready to take greater responsibility for the culture and performance of their team.
Available to Register
Hosted by Athletic SC of Michigan in Byron Center, MI.
Level: Level I — Built to Lead
Leadership Focus: Lead Self
Recommended Grades: 7th to 9th grade
Session 1: Sunday November 15, 2026 @ 4-6pm
Session 2: Sunday December 13, 2026 @ 4-6pm
Session 3: Sunday January 10, 2027 @ 4-6pm
Session 4: Sunday February 7 2027 @ 4-6pm
Location:
SOMI - Special Olympics Center Michigan Unifide Sports & inclusion Center
160 68th St SW,
Grand Rapids, MI 49548
PROGRAM DETAILS
Great leadership starts with understanding yourself.
Level I of the Athlete Leadership Pathway is an interactive four-session leadership experience designed to help student-athletes better understand who they are, how they show up, and the influence they already have on the people around them.
Athletes will participate in experiential activities, small-group discussions, challenges, and reflection designed specifically around situations they encounter in sports, school, and everyday life.
Throughout the four sessions, athletes will explore:
Self-awareness and personal leadership
Understanding their communication and behavioral style
Recognizing individual strengths and growth areas
Building confidence and a strong leadership mindset
Responding positively to mistakes and adversity
Understanding how their actions impact teammates
Building trust and stronger relationships
Leading through actions—not just titles
Level 1 helps athletes recognize that leadership begins with how they choose to show up every day.
Registration Includes:
Four in-person leadership development sessions, program activities, assessments, and participant materials.
Investment: $250 per athlete
Space is limited to create an engaging, highly interactive cohort experience.
Hosted by Athletic SC of Michigan in Byron Center, MI.
Level: Level 2 — Lead Others
Leadership Focus: Leadership as Influence
Recommended Grades: 9th to 12th Grade
Session 1: Sunday November 15, 2026 @ 6-8pm
Session 2: Sunday December 13, 2026 @ 6-8pm
Session 3: Sunday January 10, 2027 @ 6-8pm
Session 4: Sunday February 7 2027 @ 6-8pm
Location:
SOMI - Special Olympics Center Michigan Unified Sports & inclusion Center
160 68th St SW,
Grand Rapids, MI 49548
PROGRAM DETAILS
Leadership isn't just about understanding yourself. It's about understanding how you impact the people around you.
Level II of the Athlete Leadership Pathway is an interactive four-session leadership experience designed to help student-athletes strengthen their ability to communicate, build trust, navigate differences, and positively influence their teammates.
Athletes will participate in experiential activities, small-group discussions, challenges, and reflection designed around situations they encounter on their teams, at school, and in everyday life.
Throughout the four sessions, athletes will explore:
Understanding and adapting to different personalities and communication styles
Building trust with teammates
Communicating effectively in challenging situations
Recognizing how different people respond to pressure and conflict
Giving and receiving feedback
Navigating disagreements and difficult conversations
Using influence without relying on a title
Becoming the kind of teammate others trust and want to follow
Level 2 helps athletes understand how to connect with others, strengthen relationships, and use their influence to make the people around them better.
Registration Includes:
Four in-person leadership development sessions, program activities, assessments, and participant materials.
Investment: $250 per athlete
Space is limited to create an engaging, highly interactive cohort experience.
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