Our Mission

Student 1st Athlete 2nd® (S1A2) – Building a Lifestyle of Champions Beyond the Game!

Student 1st Athlete 2nd was established in 2018 with a God-given purpose: to inspire, guide, mentor, and uplift Student-Athletes to excel not just in sports but in life. This movement was born out of a deep desire to show genuine care and to see every Student-Athlete achieve balanced excellence—winning both in their respective sports and in their journey through life.

My own chapter as a Student-Athlete came to a close in 2000, ushering in an incredible new season of life—marriage, fatherhood, career growth, and eventually, entrepreneurship. Reflecting on my athletic journey, I realized my focus had been almost entirely on basketball, with little attention given to being a true student of the game or exploring life’s broader possibilities. By God’s grace, my transition from sports to a career was a soft landing. Yet, as I embraced new responsibilities, God placed a mission on my heart in 2018: to share the vision of Student 1st Athlete 2nd with the world.

This mission is more than a message—it’s a lifestyle. It’s about prioritizing personal growth, academic excellence, and character development alongside athletic success. It’s about empowering the next generation to thrive in all areas of life. Through Student 1st Athlete 2nd, I aim to honor the lessons of my journey and pass them forward, helping others navigate their paths with purpose and balance.

Purpose:
Our purpose is to blend brand messaging and quality apparel that sparks thought-provoking dialogue among Student-Athletes. We aim to motivate them to communicate their dedication to overall excellence in their lives, ensuring that today’s Student-Athletes are fully equipped to enter adulthood and post-athletic life with the capacity to embrace life as a kaleidoscope of exciting opportunities to both explore and master.

Our Values:

- We celebrate the pursuit of excellence.
- We honor our commitments.
- We work with uncompromising integrity.
- We live life to the fullest – in complete balance.