Duke Tibbs
"Sports can build confidence, character, and good health. For me, sports could probably get 80% of the credit for the man I am today."
Emporia State University Track & Field
ESU 400m record holder
Eddie Vinson
Emporia State University Football
"Sports builds relationships with people you'll never forget. When my mom passed in high school, my sports family gathered around me and helped me through it."
All-MIAA Defensive Lineman
Jacee Kramer
Emporia State University Women's Basketball
"It's good exercise [for kids to play sports], it's good social interaction, it develops motor skills and athletic abilities. It allows kids to get their energy out in a healthy way; it builds passions, shows why hard work is important, and it develops character. There are so many benefits to kids playing sports."
Back-to-back MIAA Tournament Champion
"I became a more physically fit person and more emotionally stable because I found ways to help manage my anxiety."
Morgan DeWalt
Emporia State University Cheer
Bradley Fisher
Emporia State University Men's Basketball
"At first it [sports] was to help with my weight and to fit in at school. Now, my heart has grown to its preferred size after complications."
7'-0'' Forward
"I think sports at a young age are important to build character, as well as learning important skills such as discipline, and dealing with problems."
Matheus Mota
Emporia State University Men's Tennis
Derek Jeter
Retired New York Yankees Shortstop
"There may be people that have more talent than you, but there's no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do."
6th in MLB with 3,465 career hits
"Sports can build confidence, character, and good health. For me, sports could probably get 80% of the credit for the man I am today."
On top of all the health benefits of team sports, being involved in the sports world gives children extraordinary role models.
Michael Jordan
Retired Chicago Bulls Shooting Guard
"I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that's why I succeed."
4th in NBA with 32,292 career points