22 hours ago
Character Development for Athletes & NIL opportunities
This podcast episode of The Athlete Brand Advisor Podcast featured host Greg Glynn interviewing Erin Sarles and Thomas Roe, co-founders of Blueprint to Bluechip™, a company focused on character development for youth athletes. The discussion covered the challenges in modern youth sports, including excessive pressure on athletes and parents, the impact of pay-to-play models, and the importance of restoring fun in sports.
Erin shared her background in corporate America and how she applies those skills to help develop young athletes, while Thomas discussed his transition from collegiate football to endurance sports and his current role as chief athletic officer. The conversation explored Blueprint to Bluechip's approach to helping athletes develop character, integrity, and discipline through personalized coaching programs that integrate physical training with life skills development. The episode concluded with information about how interested parties can learn more about their services through their website and social media channels.
Blueprint to Bluechip™ Framework
Greg discussed with Erin and Thomas their "Blueprint to Blue Chip" framework, which addresses character issues in youth sports. Erin shared her background, highlighting her 20+ years in corporate America and her role as a mother of two high school student athletes, explaining how corporate skills can be applied to developing young athletes. The discussion touched on the importance of teaching athletes that building a brand extends beyond financial gain, with Greg noting that many athletes can't make millions through NIL, but can achieve long-term success by building their athlete brand and platform around their passions and interests.
Athlete Transition and Mentorship Program
Thomas shared his transition from collegiate football to endurance sports after a neck injury ended his football career. He explained how he shifted from competing in 55 races by age 55 to focusing on mentoring high school athletes, particularly in light of modern issues like NIL deals and transfer portals affecting student-athletes' motivations. Thomas described how Blueprint, which started as a high school mentorship program, evolved under Erin's guidance into Blueprint to Bluechip, now serving as an industry standard for character development alongside physical training.
Youth Athlete Development Strategy
Erin discussed her approach to helping young athletes develop a strong foundation beyond their sports performance, particularly in the face of overwhelming social media noise and parental expectations driven by the pay-to-play model. She emphasized the importance of helping athletes understand their value extends beyond their athletic abilities and encouraging parents to view sports investments as developmental support rather than financial returns.
Youth Athlete Development Challenges
Thomas discussed the challenges in working with younger athletes, emphasizing the importance of allowing them to enjoy sports without excessive pressure from parents. He highlighted Blueprint's sweet spot for engagement as sophomore and junior years, advocating for playing multiple sports and realistic expectations about professional careers. Thomas also noted the unique situations faced by inner-city athletes, where sports can serve as a primary source of support, and stressed the need for appropriate support systems around athletes.
Youth Sports Reform Discussion
Erin expressed concerns about the current state of youth sports, arguing that without corrections, sports risk losing their educational value and fun aspects. She suggested restoring the recreational nature of sports, alleviating financial pressures on families, and improving funding for school athletics. Greg and Erin discussed how addressing these issues could help reduce pressure on youth athletes and provide better perspective on athletic careers, with Greg noting the importance of discussing college opportunities as a way to ease that pressure.
College Athlete Development Alternatives
Greg and Thomas discussed the pressure on young athletes to pursue D1 sports, noting that most won't go pro and suggesting alternatives like D2, D3 programs, and junior colleges to help manage expectations and restore fun in college sports. Thomas emphasized the importance of social media's impact on athletes' opportunities and highlighted the need to find schools that match athletes' skill sets while providing education and a positive experience. The conversation then shifted to exploring how Blueprint to Bluechip helps athletes develop character and skills, with Greg inviting Erin to discuss specific frameworks and methods being used.
Core Identity and Decision-Making Skills
Erin explained their approach to helping individuals identify their core identity and develop conscious decision-making skills. She described how they work with students to understand the long-term ramifications of their choices, particularly focusing on how everyday decisions impact their future goals and opportunities. Erin emphasized the importance of making exceptional momentary decisions to achieve excellence, and noted that they work with both students and parents to bring awareness to their actions and decision-making processes.
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