Washington Township High School (WTHS) has been selected as one of just 11 high schools across the country to participate in the inaugural “Take Back Sports” Back-to-School Program, a national initiative led by ESPN in collaboration with Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) to strengthen youth sports culture and improve the experience for athletes, parents, coaches and school communities.
The launching this fall recognizes WTHS’s longstanding commitment to creating an environment where student-athletes can thrive both on and off the field. As one of only 11 participating schools nationwide, Washington Township will help lead a first-of-its-kind effort to engage parents, support coaches and reinforce the values that make high school sports a positive and life-changing experience. The program will kick off with a “Take Back Sports” pep rally for fall parents and student-athletes on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 6 p.m. in the Play House at WTHS (11/12 auditorium).
“We are honored to be selected as one of just 11 schools in the country to participate in this important initiative,” WTHS Assistant Principal and Director of Athletics Kevin Murphy said. “Our WTHS athletic department has been a proud partner in education-based athletics with the Positive Coaching Alliance for over two decades. We are excited to welcome our student-athletes, families and coaches back to campus on August 12th for an exciting pep rally to kick off our fall sports season.”
As part of the pilot, WTHS will receive a comprehensive suite of “Take Back Sports” resources designed to help launch the school year with parents, coaches and athletes aligned around a shared vision for positive sports culture.
The pilot includes a positive coaching alliance parent workshop for families; videos featuring ESPN personalities with practical tips for sports parents; specialized parent tools and communication resources; pre- and post-season resources and materials for coaches; research-based resources for student-athletes; “Things to Say More to Your Athlete” banners in English and Spanish; and opportunities for local storytelling and community engagement
“Take Back Sports” was created to address the growing challenges facing youth sports, including declining participation and increasing pressure on young athletes. Through practical tools and positive messaging, the initiative encourages adults to create environments where athletes can build confidence, resilience, teamwork, and a lifelong love of sports.
“Washington Township High School has demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering a positive, supportive environment for student-athletes, and we are proud to work with them in ESPN’s inaugural ‘Take Back Sports’ Back-to-School Program with Positive Coaching Alliance,” said Kevin Martinez, vice president of ESPN Corporate Citizenship. “Through Take Back Sports, we hope to give parents, coaches and school leaders practical tools to build a healthier youth sports culture — one where every young athlete can thrive.”
The pilot is designed to help schools start each athletic season with parents, coaches, and administrators working together to create a healthier, more positive experience for every student-athlete.
“High school sports have the power to provide life-changing experiences for young people — but only when they’re done the right way,” PCA’s CEO, Jason Sacks, said. “When coaches, parents, administrators, and communities come together to prioritize positive youth development alongside competition, every athlete has the opportunity to grow in confidence, resilience and character.”
In addition to educational resources and communications support, participating schools will have opportunities to share their stories locally and nationally through PCA, while contributing to a broader national movement focused on improving youth sports. As part of the pilot program, Under Armour will be providing swag items to participating schools, while Gatorade will be supporting with hydration resources for parents, coaches and athletes.
For more information about Take Back Sports, visit www.TakeBackSports.org
Scoreboard at Washington Township High School’s football field, which will be featured in ESPN’s “Take Back Sports” Back-to-School Program.
