Overview
The Coaches 4 Character mission “emphasizes the importance of education and character development to at risk students.” It gives them what every student deserves, hope and a chance to succeed in life.
Four "best of the best" sports icons annually address the students on critical issues such as gangs, drugs and alcohol, bullying, self-esteem, surviving tough times, peer pressure, and high school graduation. Over 50,000 students have attended these 60 programs the last 16 years, approximately 90% at risk. Past speakers include Lloyd Carr, Steve Spurrier, Gary Williams, Oliver Purnell, Bobby Johnson, Skip Holtz, Sylvia Hatchell, Bobby Cremins, Phillip Fulmer, Dawn Staley, Ray Tanner, Jay Bilas, CJ Spiller, Vivian Stringer, Mike Ayers, Roy Williams, Joan Cronan, John Thompson III, Tom Izzo, Jeff Davis, James Franklin, Marcus Lattimore, Mark Gottfried, Carolyn Peck, Jack Leggett, Bob Costas, Bruce Fowler, Tim Corbin, Vic Beasley/Connor Shaw, Tim Worley, Mike Young, Joanne McCallie, Shaq Lawson/Charone Peake, Frank Martin, Tubby Smith, Maya Moore, Ben Boulware/Mike Williams, Senator Tim Scott, Tamika Catchings, Mike Dunleavy, Tony Elliott, Will Muschamp, A’ja Wilson, Rick Barnes, Clelin Ferrell/Deebo Samuel, Dabo Swinney, Gregg Marshall, Erica Wheeler, Brad Brownell, Kirk Herbstreit, Trevor Lawrence/Travis Etienne/Amari Rodgers, Brent Venables and Christian Wilkins.
The Big Bus Alliance is an initiative providing meals and bus transportation for all four programs to at risk youth from other nonprofits, churches and Title 1 schools. Over 18,000 students have attended through the Big Bus Alliance. Practically all of them would otherwise not have been able to attend.
The CHAMP Awards is a unique initiative and partnership with Charleston County Schools through which 90 “Unsung Heroes” from all 45 Charleston County middle schools and high schools are honored. They are comprised of students who have overcome tremendous odds to achieve wonderful things in their churches, schools, homes or communities but have not been recognized for doing so. Their selection is based on character, academic effort, community service, and overcoming odds.
In May, 2014, Emmy Award winning sports broadcaster Bob Costas was the keynote speaker. Former Georgia Bulldog and NFL great Tim Worley was the guest speaker at the 2015 program. In May, 2016, former South Carolina head basketball coach Frank Martin shared his message with the honorees. US Senator Tim Scott spoke at the May, 2017 ceremony. Former South Carolina head football coach Will Muschamp spoke in May, 2018. Clemson head football coach Dabo Swinney was the keynote speaker
in May, 2019. Former Clemson defensive coordinator and Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables was the featured speaker in June, 2021. In May, 2022, Miami Dolphin Christian Wilkins was the primary speaker. In addition, Charleston Southern’s US Senator Tim Scott delivered a keynote speech.
On May 4th, 2023, former USC great, present Las Vegas Ace Champion, and “The New Face of the WNBA” A’ja Wilson will be the guest speaker at the CHAMP Awards.
Four "best of the best" sports icons annually address the students on critical issues such as gangs, drugs and alcohol, bullying, self-esteem, surviving tough times, peer pressure, and high school graduation. Over 50,000 students have attended these 60 programs the last 16 years, approximately 90% at risk. Past speakers include Lloyd Carr, Steve Spurrier, Gary Williams, Oliver Purnell, Bobby Johnson, Skip Holtz, Sylvia Hatchell, Bobby Cremins, Phillip Fulmer, Dawn Staley, Ray Tanner, Jay Bilas, CJ Spiller, Vivian Stringer, Mike Ayers, Roy Williams, Joan Cronan, John Thompson III, Tom Izzo, Jeff Davis, James Franklin, Marcus Lattimore, Mark Gottfried, Carolyn Peck, Jack Leggett, Bob Costas, Bruce Fowler, Tim Corbin, Vic Beasley/Connor Shaw, Tim Worley, Mike Young, Joanne McCallie, Shaq Lawson/Charone Peake, Frank Martin, Tubby Smith, Maya Moore, Ben Boulware/Mike Williams, Senator Tim Scott, Tamika Catchings, Mike Dunleavy, Tony Elliott, Will Muschamp, A’ja Wilson, Rick Barnes, Clelin Ferrell/Deebo Samuel, Dabo Swinney, Gregg Marshall, Erica Wheeler, Brad Brownell, Kirk Herbstreit, Trevor Lawrence/Travis Etienne/Amari Rodgers, Brent Venables and Christian Wilkins.
The Big Bus Alliance is an initiative providing meals and bus transportation for all four programs to at risk youth from other nonprofits, churches and Title 1 schools. Over 18,000 students have attended through the Big Bus Alliance. Practically all of them would otherwise not have been able to attend.
The CHAMP Awards is a unique initiative and partnership with Charleston County Schools through which 90 “Unsung Heroes” from all 45 Charleston County middle schools and high schools are honored. They are comprised of students who have overcome tremendous odds to achieve wonderful things in their churches, schools, homes or communities but have not been recognized for doing so. Their selection is based on character, academic effort, community service, and overcoming odds.
In May, 2014, Emmy Award winning sports broadcaster Bob Costas was the keynote speaker. Former Georgia Bulldog and NFL great Tim Worley was the guest speaker at the 2015 program. In May, 2016, former South Carolina head basketball coach Frank Martin shared his message with the honorees. US Senator Tim Scott spoke at the May, 2017 ceremony. Former South Carolina head football coach Will Muschamp spoke in May, 2018. Clemson head football coach Dabo Swinney was the keynote speaker
in May, 2019. Former Clemson defensive coordinator and Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables was the featured speaker in June, 2021. In May, 2022, Miami Dolphin Christian Wilkins was the primary speaker. In addition, Charleston Southern’s US Senator Tim Scott delivered a keynote speech.
On May 4th, 2023, former USC great, present Las Vegas Ace Champion, and “The New Face of the WNBA” A’ja Wilson will be the guest speaker at the CHAMP Awards.
Greg Blatt
Executive Director gblatt@coaches4character.com Felicia Castro Website Manager fcastro@coaches4character.com |
Board of DirectorsBen Gecewich (President)
Jack Early Alan Fogle Rita Hunter Bud Mann Foster McKissick Chris Pracht Blake Smith CJ Spiller Mike Spitzmiller Jill Wilks Chris Wright Coaches 4 Character /
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