Aspen Institute and Heisman Launch Project to Develop Next Generation of Leaders Through Sport

Washington, D.C., May 5, 2026The Aspen Institute and Heisman today announced the launch of the Aspen Institute Captains Leadership Academy, a new national initiative designed to develop high school team captains into civic leaders capable of driving change in their teams, schools and communities.

Led by the Institute’s Sports & Society Program in collaboration with the Center for Rising Generations (CRG), and in partnership with the Heisman Foundation and supported by IMG Academy, the Academy will provide athlete-leaders with training, mentorship, and tools to address real-world challenges—from access to youth sports to mental health and community well-being.

Nearly 8 million students compete on high school sports teams across the United States, with captains serving as some of the most trusted and influential leaders among their peers. The Captains Leadership Academy aims to expand that influence beyond the playing field.

“Team captains already help shape the culture of their teams,” said Tom Farrey, Executive Director of the Aspen Institute’s Sports & Society Program. “This initiative is about helping them apply those leadership skills to strengthen their schools, their communities, and ultimately our society.”

Participants will engage in seminar-style learning, access digital leadership tools, and contribute to community-based projects that build skills in collaboration, and problem-solving. The initiative builds on the Aspen Institute’s broader leadership work and its Project Play platform, which has helped advance national efforts to build healthy children and communities through sports. The Institute’s Center for Rising Generations will help guide the development of the program.

Heisman, through the Heisman Foundation, will serve as founding partner for the initiative through the largest single grant in its long history supporting youth development through sports and education, which has seen more than $30M in donations over the last decade. The Heisman Foundation will also help guide its development and elevate standout participants through mentorship opportunities, connections to Heisman Trophy winners, and national recognition.

In addition, the Heisman Foundation will lead the development and execution of a new Heisman High School platform, designed to empower select Academy participants. The effort is inspired in part by the long‑running High School Heisman program (1994–2024) which honored exceptional student‑athletes for their leadership, character, and impact. The Heisman Foundation, with the support of the Aspen Institute along with additional partners, will create the key elements of this new platform.

“Heisman is dedicated to celebrating excellence in college football and empowering young leaders through sports,” said Heisman CEO Jeff Price. “By recognizing the extraordinary achievements of our winners and investing in programs that help emerging leaders grow, especially those from underrepresented communities, we create impact that enriches lives and elevates society. Our partnership with the Aspen Institute represents an outstanding opportunity to expand that mission even further, bringing together shared values and a shared commitment to developing the next generation of leaders.”

IMG Academy will support the initiative as a partner, hosting an annual convening of select captains who participate in the Captains Leadership Academy on its Bradenton, Florida, campus and supporting ongoing marketing of the initiative. IMG Academy will also provide online education resources through IMG Academy+, providing student-athletes and their families with an IMG Academy+ Essentials membership that includes on-demand access to elite training, mindset, and development tools to elevate performance, build confidence, stay balanced and prepare for the next level.

“Leadership is one of the most important skills a young athlete can develop, because it extends far beyond the field of play,” said IMG Academy CEO Brent Richard. “The Captains Leadership Academy is a direct reflection of our purpose at IMG Academy – to empower student-athletes to win their future, equipping them with the character, confidence, and leadership mindset they’ll carry into every aspect of their lives. We’re proud to support this initiative as a supporting partner, helping expand its impact for the next generation of leaders.”

The Captains Leadership Academy will launch in 2026 with pilot programs in select states and plans to scale nationwide to make resources accessible to schools, captains and coaches across the country. The initiative was announced at the 2026 Project Play Summit in Boston, where Heisman Trophy winners and high school captains participated in panels exploring how athletes can lead in society.

“Sports teaches young people how to lead, how to listen, and how to show up for something bigger than themselves,” said Kaya Henderson, Executive Vice President at the Aspen Institute and Executive Director at Center for Rising Generations. “The Captains Leadership Academy builds on that foundation, helping young people turn team leadership into civic leadership. Because when creating stronger communities, we are all captains.”

About the Aspen Institute’s Sports & Society Program

The mission of its Sports & Society Program is to convene leaders, facilitate dialogue, and inspire solutions that help sport serve the public interest. Its signature initiatives include Project Play and the Future of Sports series. For more information, visit: aspeninstitute.org/programs/sports-and-society/

About the Center for Rising Generations at the Aspen Institute

The Center for Rising Generations (CRG) works to make civil dialogue, civic engagement, and leadership development a predictable part of growing up for young people ages 14-24. Through programs, storytelling, research, events, and partnerships, CRG expands pathways for young people to build power, shape systems, and lead in their communities and beyond. CRG connects rising generations with the opportunities, platforms, and networks they need to move from participation to influence – and to help build a future shaped with young people, not just for them. For more information, visit:www.risinggenerations.org.

About Heisman Foundation

The 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable arm of Heisman, the Heisman Foundation’s mission is to grow the legacy, preserve the integrity and broaden the impact of the Heisman Memorial Trophy. The Foundation invests millions of dollars annually to support programs and initiatives that develop leaders through sports including the Aspen Institute’s Captains Leadership Academy. The achievements of our winners inspire young people, and our programs enrich lives and elevate underrepresented communities through the power of sports. In addition, the Heisman Foundation annually presents the Heisman Humanitarian Award to individuals in the sports world whose charitable work exemplifies the broader Heisman mission of impact and empowerment. www.Heisman.com

About IMG Academy

IMG Academy is the world's leading sports education brand, providing a holistic education model that empowers student-athletes to win their future, preparing them for college and for life. IMG Academy provides growth opportunities for all student-athletes through an innovative suite of on-campus and online experiences:

• Boarding school and camps, via a state-of-the-art campus in Bradenton, Fla.
• Online coaching via IMG Academy+, with a focus on personal development through the lens of sport and performance
• Online college recruiting, via NCSA and Sports Recruits, providing unmatched college recruiting education and services to student-athletes and their families, club coaches, and event operators, and is the premier service for college coaches.

To learn more about IMG Academy and its on-campus and online experiences, visit www.imgacademy.com.