This course focuses on the often-overlooked impact of middle school and K–8 athletics. These programs are critical touchpoints for student engagement, leadership, and early development. The session will include: • The correlation between athletic involvement and academic performance, attendance, and behavior in younger students • Building a pipeline for high school athletics and long-term student success • Integrating life skills, sportsmanship, and team-building into youth sports • How middle school programs contribute to early identity-building, student confidence, and connectedness to school This session positions middle school athletics not just as extracurricular, but as a powerful tool for whole-child development.