Skyline Athletics is shifting their focus from scoreboards to self-betterment.
As the year kicks off, student athletes are collaborating with the non-profit organization RISE for weekly sessions to unify teams and encourage them to use their influence to promote social justice in schools. Through all the deep conversations, RISE is teaching these athletes how to successfully use their voices in a positive way, not just in their sport but also in their communities.
RISE came to Skyline in 2024 and has taken action collaborating with three Skyline athletic teams: Volleyball, Men’s Soccer, and Women’s Soccer. “The key is,” says RISE staff member Damon Robinson. “With any group, always making sure they can come out of each session with a healthy understanding of what the topic was all about.”
As these teams navigate ten hour-long sessions on a variety of topics, from equity vs equality to kinds of privileges, Robinson is hoping to give back. “I didn’t have the benefit of a RISE program growing up…so I want any young adult to at least have the opportunity to learn to be better in how we move in our communities.”
The Skyline Volleyball Program got involved this year and are pleased with the way it has shaped their team’s culture and a great way of team bonding. “I feel closer to my teammates,” says Varsity Volleyball Captain Mina Richert (‘26). “Seeing a new vulnerable side of them has really shown how they persevere through challenges in their everyday lives, and using those strategies to help them in game play as well.”
Throughout these sessions athletes create a safe space for all voices and opinions to be heard while learning, allowing for the most amount of positive change coming truly from the heart. “No matter who you are or where you come from,” says Robinson. “We can’t be helpful and kind to each other without first acknowledging there are some extreme disparities between people from different walks of life.”
There’s no stopping the effect now. “Their curriculum is packed with great information,” says Head Boys Soccer Coach, Christopher Morgan. “And because our players have already done all of the RISE modules, they created a brand new module just for us.”
Every group will take away something different from these sessions, from JV or Varsity, to individual or team focused sports. “Sometimes it takes those participating in individual focused sports,” says Robinson. “A little more time to recognize how the aspect of looking outside yourself and considering how decisions affect the group is important.”
The message that RISE is giving athletes is being taken into society. “From what I have learned,” says Varsity Women’s Soccer Player, Josie Lovelace (‘28). “I see why it is important to always be grateful for what I have been given and to not be judgemental because all our opinions matter.”
Each session ends with a team closing with a cheer and an important message to take away. “If [negative talk] isn’t something you would want to be subjected to,” says Robinson. “Why would it be okay for others to experience it?”
