OSULifesports

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"Preparing youth for life and leadership through sports."

The LiFEsports Initiative is intended to poise OSU as a national leader in the area of positive youth development research, teaching & learning, and service & outreach. Specifically, the aims of the Initiative are to:

1) Increase the number and quality of sport and recreational programs that are designed to promote positive youth development among at-risk youth;
2) Increase the number of highly-skilled youth development professionals in the field; and
3) Build knowledge and best practices in the areas of youth development, social work, and physical activity as well as inform youth development policy. To achieve these aims, the LiFEsports Initiatives will develop and operate the following strategies:

• LiFEsports Summer Camp
• LiFEsports Youth Leadership Camp
• Service partnerships with youth organizations in Central Ohio
• Youth Development Minor at the undergraduate level
• Internships/field experiences at the undergraduate and graduate level
• Professional development seminars for youth development agencies and organizations
• Funded youth development research projects
• Applied research opportunities for faculty, staff, and students

10/08/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Sly Worthy Jr. on receiving a 2027-28 Sports and Society Institute Graduate Student Research Grant!

Sly's research will explore factors impacting the mental health and well-being of Black male collegiate athletes, helping inform future research, practice, and policy in this important area.

We're proud to see LiFEsports students making an impact through meaningful scholarship and research. 👏

10/05/2026

Sports should be a place where young people thrive, both physically and mentally. 🏆🧠

We're excited to share that LiFEsports has been selected as an Anchor Partner in a national initiative to implement the United States' first comprehensive Mental Health Guidelines for Youth Sport.

Led by Dr. Meredith Whitley and Dr. William Massey, this project will help create safer, more supportive sport environments for young athletes nationwide.

We're proud to help advance the future of youth sports by putting these evidence-based guidelines into action.

10/02/2026

🍂 The wait is over, LiFEsports families! Our Fall Clinic Schedule is here!

This season, youth will have the opportunity to learn new skills, stay active, and have fun through lacrosse, softball, ice hockey, volleyball, and our annual holiday clinic.

📅 Mark your calendars and get ready for another great season of learning, growth, and play.

Be on the lookout early next week for registration information for our first two clinics:
🥍 Lacrosse | October 17
🥎 Softball | October 24

09/29/2026

What does it take to strengthen youth sports at the state level?

New insights from the Million Coaches Challenge and the American Institutes for Research highlight how seven states are building stronger, more coordinated youth sport systems.

The brief identifies four key lessons:
✅ Partnerships and coalitions drive progress
✅ Data and evidence strengthen decision-making
✅ Continuous improvement keeps coach training relevant
✅ System alignment and sustainability drive long-term impact

As a proud Million Coaches Challenge Partner, LiFEsports is committed to advancing positive youth development through sport and helping communities create meaningful experiences for young people.

🔗 Learn more: https://bit.ly/4Aug3eW

09/21/2026

Thank you to our 2026 LiFEsports Classic sponsors, attendees, and Advisory Council members. Thanks to your generous support, we raised $61,000!
This means 61 local youth will receive full scholarships to attend camp next summer.
Missed this year’s event or ready to join us for the next one? Stay tuned for updates on next year’s event here: https://bit.ly/4ABniSz

James Hardie

09/19/2026

Congratulations to Katie Smith on being selected as this weekend’s Ohio State Bell Ringer! 🏈🔔

Katie has been a true LiFEsports champion for years. From serving on our Advisory Council, to speaking at countless LiFEsports events, to rolling up her sleeves and helping during our "Sport in a Bag" days throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, she has continually invested her time, energy, and heart into the youth and communities we serve.

Thank you, Katie, for always showing up and making a difference. We’re proud to celebrate this well-deserved honor with you.

09/16/2026

🚨 Applications are NOW OPEN for the 2026-2027 Youth Leadership Academy! 🚨

Ready to grow as a leader, build meaningful connections, explore college and career pathways, and make an impact in your community?

Join us for a year of leadership development, mentorship, college exploration, and hands-on experiences designed to help you reach your full potential.

📅 Applications close Wednesday, September 30

🔗 Apply today through the link in our bio

09/15/2026

Please help us welcome Stephanie Loomis and Leslie Wright to the LiFEsports team!

We're excited to have them join us as we continue using sport to empower and develop youth in Central Ohio. ❤️🩶

09/11/2026

Student Spotlight 🌟

Join us in congratulating Paula Pla Pla on an incredible achievement! 👏

Last week, Paula successfully defended a doctoral thesis at the University of Barcelona's Institut Nacional d'Educació Física de Catalunya and earned the distinction of Excellent Cum Laude.

We were fortunate to have Paula as part of the LiFEsports team during a research experience in Spring 2026, and we're proud to celebrate this milestone alongside her. Congratulations, Paula, and best wishes as you continue making an impact through research, sport, and youth development!

09/09/2026

The results are in, and our campers are thriving! 🎉

At LiFEsports Summer Camps, every practice, game, and team huddle is an opportunity to grow. This summer, campers showed growth in all four of our core social skills:

✅ Self-Control
✅ Effort
✅ Teamwork
✅ Social Responsibility

Because the impact of sport goes far beyond the scoreboard. It helps young people build the skills they need to succeed in school, in their communities, and in life.

Want to learn more about how LiFEsports is developing the next generation of leaders through sport? Follow along and share this post to help spread the impact. 🌟

Address

2400 Olentangy River Road
Columbus, OH
43210

Telephone

+16145145942

Website

http://lifesports.osu.edu/, https://www.hangonsloopy.com/LiFESports/Account/Landing?ReturnUrl=%2FLiFESports%2Fhome%2FInd

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