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Scholar Athlete Foundation A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit · Empowering Youth Through Education, Sports, & Leadership

Scholar Athlete Foundation · 501(c)(3) Youth Development Organization

Empowering Youth Through Education, Sports & Leadership

Scholar Athlete Foundation uses sports as the hook and education as the foundation. We keep grades, character, and long‑term goals at the center while youth learn, play, and lead.

Donate to Scholar Athlete Foundation Learn About SAU

Scholar Athlete Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax‑deductible as allowed by law.

What Is the Scholar Athlete Foundation?

Scholar Athlete Foundation exists to help young people win where it matters most: in the classroom, in their character, and in their long‑term life choices. We combine structured sports programs with tutoring, mentoring, and future‑readiness so that athletics becomes a powerful support for education, not a distraction from it.

Through our flagship platform, Scholar Athlete University (SAU), we provide student‑athletes and their families with tools, routines, and relationships that keep academics at the center while building confidence on the court and field. Under the SAU umbrella live our multi-sport training pathways, youth leagues, academic supports, leadership development, and the SAU mobile app. Together, these pieces create a single system that keeps every practice, game, and study session aligned with long-term goals for school, sport, and life.

Who We Serve

We focus on middle and high school student‑athletes in underserved communities, beginning in Chicago and surrounding areas. Our programming is designed for:

  • Students who love sports and need stronger academic and life‑skills support,
  • Families looking for positive structure, mentorship, and safe environments, and
  • Schools, park districts, and community partners who want an aligned, education‑first sports model.
Scholar Athlete University logo

Scholar Athlete University (SAU)

A program of the Scholar Athlete Foundation (501(c)(3))

Mission

Scholar Athlete University (SAU) empowers youth in underserved communities to excel in the classroom, in athletics, and in life by combining sports training, academic support, and leadership development into one integrated platform of in-person programming, youth leagues, mentoring, and a mobile app.

The Problem

Too many student‑athletes—especially in under‑resourced neighborhoods—have:

  • Limited access to quality training and coaching,
  • Inconsistent academic support and college guidance, and
  • Little exposure to financial literacy, leadership, and NIL education.

As a result, talented young people are often underprepared for college, miss out on opportunities, or disengage from school altogether.

Our Solution

SAU is a tech‑enabled program and mobile app that gives youth athletes the tools they need to succeed on and off the court:

  • Multi-Sport Training & Youth Leagues: Skill‑based workouts starting with basketball, expanding to football, track & field, soccer, and volleyball. Youth follow structured drills, video breakdowns, and conditioning plans on the field, and through the SAU App on their phone or tablet.
  • Academic Support: Study strategies, homework help resources, and college prep guidance to keep grades and GPAs on track.
  • Leadership & NIL Literacy: Short, age‑appropriate lessons on character, teamwork, social media responsibility, and the basics of NIL and financial literacy.

Everything under SAU is designed to be accessible, culturally relevant, and practical for student‑athletes, families, and coaches.

Who We Serve

SAU focuses on:

  • Middle school and high school student‑athletes in underserved communities,
  • Families seeking positive structure, guidance, and safe outlets for their children, and
  • Coaches, schools, park districts, and community programs that need additional tools to support their youth.

We are launching first in Chicago, with a model that can be replicated in other cities.

Program Components

  • SAU App (MVP Launch – Jan 1, 2026): Mobile‑friendly platform with daily workouts, academic missions, and leadership lessons tailored to youth athletes.
  • On‑the‑Ground Programming: Partnerships with schools, community centers, and teams to integrate SAU into practices, study halls, and after‑school programs.
  • Mentors & Coaches: Volunteer and partner coaches who reinforce discipline, accountability, and positive life choices.

Our Education‑First Core Promises

Every practice plan, program, and partnership is built around these core promises to student‑athletes and families:

1. Classroom Comes First

  • Academic expectations are clearly communicated and reinforced in every program.
  • Eligibility, behavior, and effort in school are tied to participation in leagues and teams.
  • We celebrate grades, growth, and graduation—not just wins and stats.

2. Safe, Structured Coaching

  • Age‑appropriate drills and progressions rooted in long‑term athlete development.
  • Clear codes of conduct for coaches, staff, volunteers, and players.
  • Focus on fundamentals, injury prevention, and confidence‑building.

3. Mentors & Family Partnership

  • Caring adults who listen, support, and hold youth accountable.
  • Regular communication with parents and caregivers about progress and goals.
  • Tools that make it easier for families to track academics, schedules, and expectations.

4. Access & Equity

  • Program scholarships and sliding‑scale fees as funding allows.
  • Intentional outreach to youth who are often overlooked by traditional programs.
  • Environments where girls, boys, and nontraditional athletes are welcomed and supported.

5. Data, Growth & Accountability

  • Tracking participation, academics, and social‑emotional growth over time.
  • Using SAU App data to refine supports and report impact to families and funders.
  • Continuous improvement built on listening to youth, parents, and partners.

Multi‑Sport Training & Youth Leagues

Our multi‑sport programs prioritize skill development, safety, structured progression, and confidence‑building. SAU offers age‑appropriate instruction in basketball, flag football, baseball, soccer, volleyball, and track & field. Instruction is designed to support growth, sport literacy, and confidence through clear learning objectives, predictable routines, and positive coaching practices.

Beginner Friendly from Day One. Many of our student‑athletes are new to organized sports. Our in‑person training and SAU App are designed to start at the very beginning—how to dribble, pass, shoot, catch, and move safely. Coaches break down the basic mechanics for each sport we offer, so a child with little or no experience can learn the fundamentals step‑by‑step and feel confident actively playing in practices and games.

Youth Basketball League (Ages 5–12)

  • Age‑based divisions that align play with developmental readiness.
  • 3v3, 4v4, and 5v5 formats with age‑appropriate court sizes and hoop heights.
  • Instruction focused on movement, ball control, spacing, teamwork, and decision‑making.
  • Beginner‑friendly teaching that starts with how to hold the ball, how to dribble, pivot, pass, and shoot.
  • Inclusive participation policies and positive coaching standards to ensure equitable playing time.

AAU & Travel Basketball

  • Competitive experiences paired with clear academic and behavior expectations.
  • Study halls, team meetings, and reflection built into travel schedules.
  • Leadership and culture curriculum that promotes sportsmanship and peer support.
  • College awareness activities that help families understand postsecondary options.
Young basketball athlete posing with ball and net.
Young athlete holding basketball with net around shoulders.

Tutoring & Academic Support

Classroom‑First Academic Model

  • Academic responsibilities are prioritized before athletic participation.
  • Structured homework time and study halls are coordinated around practices and games.
  • Eligibility tracking and academic checklists align with school and district expectations.
  • Communication pathways support collaboration with families and, when appropriate, school staff.

AI‑Supported Learning Tools

  • AI‑guided homework support and review tools reinforce classroom instruction.
  • Study reminders and test‑preparation resources are integrated into the SAU App.
  • Supports help students build organization, time management, and academic confidence.

Mentorship, Character & Leadership

Mentoring Relationships

  • One‑on‑one and small‑group mentoring focused on goal‑setting and positive decision‑making.
  • Regular check‑ins provide consistent adult support around school, home, and peer relationships.
  • Mentor notes and milestones are tracked within the SAU App to monitor progress over time.

Sports as a Character Classroom

  • Practice plans intentionally teach discipline, resilience, teamwork, and communication.
  • Character themes and social‑emotional skills are embedded in drills, games, and team circles.
  • Recognition systems highlight effort, sportsmanship, leadership, and growth—not only statistics or wins.

Impact & Accountability

Scholar Athlete Foundation is committed to clear goals, data‑informed decision‑making, and responsible stewardship of every dollar we receive. Our early pilot work is focused on serving a cohort of student‑athletes in Chicago while building a model that can scale to additional schools, parks, and community partners.

What We Track

  • Student attendance and participation in practices, games, and academic sessions.
  • Academic indicators such as assignment completion and GPA trends, in partnership with families.
  • Behavior, social‑emotional growth, and leadership milestones documented by coaches and mentors.

Quality & Safety

  • Volunteer screening processes aligned with youth‑development best practices.
  • Clear codes of conduct for staff, volunteers, and student‑athletes.
  • Structured practice plans centered on safety, inclusion, and age‑appropriate development.

Reporting to Funders & Partners

  • Program participation summaries and progress snapshots for funded cohorts.
  • Stories that highlight student voice, family partnerships, and school alignment.
  • Refinement of the SAU App to make data easier to capture and share responsibly.

Scholar Athlete University (SAU) App

Official SAU mobile app — a program of Scholar Athlete Foundation (501(c)(3)).

SAU App phone mockup with student-athlete running.

Scholar Athlete University (SAU) is a 501(c)(3) powered mobile app and platform that combines sports training, academic support, and leadership development for youth athletes in underserved communities.

The SAU App is a progress‑monitoring and communication tool that connects students, families, and program staff. It supports continuous learning, accountability, and personalized growth in both academics and athletics.

  • Athletic Development: students log drills, games, and workouts; coaches provide feedback; progress charts reinforce effort and growth.
  • Academic Supports: GPA and assignment tracking, study reminders, and AI‑supported homework tools keep after‑school time aligned with classroom expectations.
  • Fundamentals Library for New Players: short videos and step‑by‑step drills that teach the absolute basics—how to dribble, pass, shoot, catch, run routes, and move safely in each sport.
  • Character & SEL: reflection prompts, goal‑setting tools, and weekly themes reinforce social‑emotional learning.
  • Future Readiness: age‑appropriate modules introduce career pathways, college options, basic financial literacy, and NIL awareness centered on digital safety and responsible decisions.

Careers, Financial Literacy, NIL & Scholarships

College & Scholarship Preparation

  • Exposure to college majors, career clusters, trades, and credential pathways.
  • Guidance on academic résumés, recommendation requests, and scholarship awareness.
  • Planning support for students whose futures may or may not include athletics at the next level.

Financial Literacy & Entrepreneurship

  • Age‑appropriate lessons on budgeting, saving, needs versus wants, and goal‑setting.
  • Introductory entrepreneurship concepts that emphasize problem‑solving, creativity, and community impact.
  • Future‑focused education on how healthy financial habits can support college, careers, and potential business ownership.

NIL Awareness & Digital Citizenship

  • Instruction on what Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) means in age‑appropriate terms.
  • Emphasis on social media safety, digital footprints, and how behavior and academics influence opportunity.
  • Guidance that frames reputation, character, and leadership as key factors in long‑term success—on and off the court.

Volunteer with Scholar Athlete Foundation

SAU engages caring adults who reflect the values of safety, reliability, and youth‑centered guidance. All volunteer roles are structured and supervised to align with best practices in youth development and to complement school and district priorities.

Coaches & Assistant Coaches

  • Lead age‑appropriate practices that emphasize fundamentals, safety, and sportsmanship.
  • Reinforce SAU character themes and classroom‑first expectations for student‑athletes.
  • Model positive communication and partnership with families, staff, and officials.

Mentors & Academic Tutors

  • Provide homework help, study support, and encouragement in structured settings.
  • Support youth in setting and reviewing academic, athletic, and personal goals.
  • Help students practice planning, self‑advocacy, and problem‑solving skills.

Referees, Instructors & Program Support

  • Officiate games with an emphasis on safety, fairness, and teachable moments.
  • Lead enrichment workshops in areas such as financial literacy, STEM, health, arts, or leadership.
  • Assist with events, registration, family communication, and game‑day operations.

Volunteer Interest Form

Share a few details and our team will follow up with next steps.

This form is an expression of interest, not a formal application. All volunteer roles include screening and training aligned with youth‑development best practices.