Purpose
At First Tee, we help kids discover what’s inside of them, guide them to strengthen it and mentor them to put it into action in everything they do. Using golf as our platform, we believe in creating spaces of belonging for every kid – no matter what walk of life. The events of 2020 have reinforced this, and the need to do more. This July, we’re hosting a new participant event, First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr.
Participants selected to attend this five-day learning and empowerment academy will participate in important conversations around issues of identity, racism, diversity, equity and inclusion. RISE (Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality), a national leader in the sports community championing social justice and working to improve race relations, will facilitate engaging and interactive workshops paired with introspective activities and reflections led by our nationally trained First Tee coaches. The Academy builds throughout the week into a final outreach project in collaboration with DE&I leadership in the local host community.
Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., First Tee’s CEO who retired in 2017 after 17 years of leadership, has always been an advocate for social justice and believes that First Tee has and always will be more than a game to young people. First Tee Game Changers Academy is the ultimate tribute to Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., a fearless champion of change.
This Academy is one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee headquarters designed to inspire and encourage high school students on a deeper level as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities. First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. is an evolution of our longest standing participant event, the Life Skills & Leadership Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., to address the challenges and experiences our teens face in their daily lives and better equip them to build the strength of character to be game changers in their communities.
2021 Event Information
Date: July 20-24, 2021
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Selection Process and Application
Application Release: TBD
Application Deadline: TBD
Field Announced: TBD
Number of Participants Selected: 96
2020 Eligibility Guidelines