Power recognized by President's Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition

The Play Like a Champion Today Educational Series is thrilled to announce that Founder and Executive Director Dr. Clark Power has been given the Lifetime Impact Award by the President's Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition. This national award "celebrates individuals whose careers have greatly contributed to the advancement or promotion of physical activity, fitness, sports, or nutrition nationwide." Dr. Power accepted the award during the organization's annual meeting on Friday, September 6th in Washington DC.

Perhaps Dr. Power’s most notable contribution to sports equity is his founding of Play Like a Champion Today. Since its inception in 2006, the organization has successfully delivered its educational training to over 160,000 coaches, parents and sports officials through a network of 250+ partners across the United States and Canada. Play Like a Champion also offers a Student-Athlete Leadership Development program for high school athletes. In addition, Power has led the development of the A Team for Every Child consultation model, partnering with leaders from under-resourced communities to establish youth sport associations that provide ALL children in those communities with access to youth sports, often free of charge. The North Lawndale Athletic and Recreation Association (NLARA) in West Chicago has grown to more than 30 sport and recreation programs with youth participation growth of more than 400%, while the Michiana Athletics and Recreation Association (MARA) in South Bend, Indiana has worked with 45 partners to provide opportunities for more than 20,000 South Bend youth. Play Like a Champion Today, NLARA and MARA would not exist without Dr. Power’s thought leadership and vision for an equitable world that serves all our children. In June 2024, Dr. Power retired following a 42-year career as a professor at the University of Notre Dame. He is the author of six books and numerous articles on moral education and child development with a focus on sport engagement and equity, school discipline and democratic citizenship.