From the Locker Room to the Neighborhood

Growing up, sports gave me more than just discipline—it gave me direction. It gave me purpose, structure, and a sense of identity. Whether it was running routes on the field or putting in work during off-season training, sports shaped the man I am today. They were the stepping stone to my education at Notre Dame, my NFL career, and now my work in real estate and community development.

Now, as the founder of Kingsley + Co., I see every day how sports can still be a powerful tool—not just for individuals, but for entire neighborhoods. When used intentionally, sports can be more than recreation. They can be engines for growth, connection, and revitalization.

Sports as a Catalyst for Change

When I look at the neighborhoods we work in—communities that have been historically underserved or overlooked—one of the first things I think about is how we can create safe, inspiring spaces for young people. And time after time, sports becomes part of that conversation.

A well-maintained field, a modern gym, or a community recreation center can do more than offer a place to play. It gives kids a place to go—a place where they feel seen, supported, and encouraged. That kind of space reduces crime, builds confidence, and brings people together across generations.

But we can’t just build courts or turf fields and call it development. We need to pair these spaces with mentorship, leadership training, and educational opportunities. That’s when real transformation happens.

Sports Teach What Schools Sometimes Can’t

There’s something about sports that teaches life lessons in real time. Teamwork, resilience, humility, accountability—all of these values are lived out on the field or the court. For some kids, sports is the first place they learn how to win with grace and lose with grit. It’s where they find mentors who push them to be better, not just as athletes, but as people.

I’ve seen kids who struggle in the classroom thrive when given a structured, goal-oriented sports program. Suddenly they’re more focused, more motivated. They see a pathway to something greater. And that confidence spills over into every other part of their life.

I’ve lived that journey myself. Sports opened doors I didn’t even know existed. And I believe we can help more young people walk through those same doors—whether it leads to college, a career in athletics, or a leadership role in their own community.

Revitalizing More Than Buildings

At Kingsley + Co., we talk a lot about revitalization. But we don’t just mean new buildings or renovated streets. We mean revitalizing the energy, the pride, and the future of a neighborhood. And that often starts with the youth.

Imagine a development project that includes a gym where kids can train after school, a soccer field maintained through public-private partnerships, or even a multi-use sports complex that doubles as a community hub. Those aren’t just amenities. They’re investments in the people who live there.

They bring parents together. They attract visitors. They support local businesses. But most importantly, they give the next generation a reason to stay engaged—and a reason to believe in where they’re from.

Partnerships Make It Possible

We can’t do this work alone. Revitalizing communities through sports requires real partnership—between developers, city officials, school systems, nonprofits, and most of all, the people who live in these neighborhoods.

In many ways, I see my role as a connector. My background in sports allows me to speak to coaches and athletes, while my work in business lets me sit across from investors and civic leaders. I understand the pressure on all sides. But when we find alignment—when we build sports-focused spaces that are safe, accessible, and truly serve the community—we see real results.

And it’s not always about big arenas or flashy facilities. Sometimes it’s about restoring an old rec center. Sometimes it’s installing lights on a local field so kids can play into the evening. Sometimes it’s just showing up, consistently, and letting the community lead the conversation.

As I continue to grow as a developer and a community advocate, I always come back to the role sports played in my own journey. It gave me the foundation I needed to dream big and work hard. Now, I want to give that same foundation to others—especially those growing up in the very communities we’re working to rebuild.

We all know the problems facing our cities are complex—poverty, lack of opportunity, housing instability. But I believe sports can be one of the tools we use to chip away at those challenges. It won’t fix everything, but it can open minds, create connection, and foster hope.

Because when we invest in our youth, we invest in our future. And when we build spaces that support them, we build stronger communities.

Let’s make sure the next generation has every opportunity to grow, compete, and lead—on the field and beyond.