# @gcthenewathlete on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DJpSNqHSGMi
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/30505020-gcthenewathlete-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/6d37a95479.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-05-14T19:05:15.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Game Changers (@GCTheNewAthlete) — https://gondola.cc/GCTheNewAthlete

## Caption

😒 I can’t believe this photo almost didn’t happen.  I remember about two weeks ago, I stopped by one of the high schools asking the AD— “Just checking-in to see if the athletes are encountering any problems registering for the Summit?  It’s been a couple months of letters, emails and calls, but only three athletes have registered.  I’d like to help if I can.” 

👀Why⁉️ Because some schools allow their athletes to compete with D’s and F’s which doesn’t prepare them for success.  Why⁉️ Because with the portal, there are less opportunities available for the traditional graduating senior to get that D1 scholarship, and most aren’t prepared for a life without sports being at the center of it.  Why⁉️ Because while NIL may offer financial support to some, it can also be a burden on an athlete who feels as if they have to carry the financial responsibilities of their household, unmet aspirations of their parents/guardians excelling as an athlete, and in some cases…coat-riding, agenda having adults turned into coaches for a chance at relevance and a title.

🤌🏽But the driving WHY— is personal.  It’s because I had a high school coach (Phil Annarella) who cared more about me as a young man, than he did about my physical abilities.  And 17 years later when I returned to the area, he cared even that much more and supported this very level of player development. “People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care” -Anonymous 

📝What’s the takeaway:  If you’re in the role of creating safe, educational and character building spaces for our young people— BE DESPERATE!! A kiddos life trajectory could be dependent on the extra effort you make in advocating for their wholistic development.  THANK YOU to the servant-leaders!

Pictured are high school athletes from seven schools throughout NE Ohio.

#GameChangers #StudentAthletes #GCTheNewAthlete #Intention #SportsLeadershipSummit #BeTheChange

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## Tags

studentathletes, gamechangers, gcthenewathlete, sportsleadershipsummit, bethechange, intention

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