MOORHEAD, Minn. – Participating in sports is about more than just playing a game. It’s about representing your team, school, and community. However, the cost of sports can be a barrier for many children worldwide, preventing them from participating. The InSports Foundation, founded by two Concordia College alumni, aims to change that by offering scholarships to cover participation fees, travel expenses, and equipment costs. PJ Parmelee, Senior Captain of the Cobber Football Team, understands the financial challenges some families face. He acknowledges, “I know that’s not the case for every kid out there.”
InSports, along with PJ and many other athletes, believes that every child deserves the opportunity to participate in sports. For nearly 150 students from Robert Asp Elementary, that opportunity became a reality. They were able to try various sports and learn about building confidence in their athletic abilities. Max Smith, Founder of InSports and a 2015 Cobber Grad, highlights the numerous benefits of playing sports, both physical and mental. He says, “There’s just so many great life lessons that you learn from playing sports, and that’s a big reason why we started the nonprofit.” Andrew Deters, Executive Director of InSports, attributes many of his qualities as an adult to his experiences in sports.
InSports serves as a reminder that sports offer more than just physical activity. For many, it creates lifelong bonds akin to family. Parmelee reflects on his football team, stating, “I’ve never had a brother. Now, I’m out here playing football with a team of 130 guys… so now I have 130 brothers.” To learn more about donating to or volunteering with InSports, visit their website by clicking here.