Still Speechless. The 2025 Player Development Summit Was Everything
From high-impact panels to unforgettable connections, here’s the full recap, reflections, and a special video you don’t want to miss.
In 2016, I stepped into the role of Director of Player Development with no roadmap, no mentor, no community. I didn’t know what I was doing. I didn’t know where to go. I didn’t know who to turn to.
But I knew one thing: I was committed to the growth of athletes beyond the game.
Fast forward almost ten years, and I found myself standing in front of 100+ attendees from around the country (and beyond) at the 2025 Player Development Summit — live and in-person in Kansas City.
It was more than just an event. It was the culmination of years of trial, growth, connection, and consistent belief that this space — our space — deserves its own lane.
The Road to 2025: From Virtual to In-Person
We started virtually.
The 2023 Player Development Conference brought people together online for the first time. We followed it up in 2024. But in 2025, I knew it was time to go bigger.
Not louder. Not flashier.
Just realer.
In-person is a whole different game. It’s not just about sending Zoom links anymore. It’s booking venues, managing sponsors, coordinating speakers, organizing meals, preparing volunteers, and—most importantly—cultivating a space where meaningful relationships and real growth happen.
And we did it.
Wednesday: When It Hit Me
I’ll never forget Wednesday night. That’s when the staff came together — student volunteers, professional volunteers, and the Brain Tank. We met. We laughed. We prepped. We dreamed.
That’s when it felt real.
Scratch that — it started feeling real on Monday when people started texting me:
“I’m packing.”
“Flight booked.”
“I’ll see you in Kansas City.”
They were actually coming.
Thursday: The Energy Was Electric
Day one kicked off with Dr. Jamil Northcutt setting the tone.
Then Reggie Calhoun Jr. and Dr. Ron Moses joined forces for a powerful panel.
Then Jeremiah Brown brought it home with our opening keynote. I felt he was talking to me personally as he challenged us to run to those things that may be difficult (ya know like an in person Summit.)
But even before anyone spoke, I felt it — the energy in the room.
People were talking. Smiling. Hugging. Connecting. The passion was palpable.
That night, Access Granted sponsored our speaker dinner. I had one of those surreal moments talking with Savannah Bailey and Tobruk Blaine, just sitting in it. I remember saying out loud:
“This actually happened.”
But we still had two days to go.
Friday: Momentum Met Mastery
We kicked off Day Two with a powerful panel featuring Dr. Lacee’ Carmon-Johnson and Alexander Martin — affectionately known as The Work Twins. They created an atmosphere of honesty and excellence that set the tone for the day. It was fire — pure value, raw and real.
Then came two back-to-back mini sessions from Tobruk Blaine and Savannah Bailey. Both sessions were packed with insight, leaving our attendees filled and fueled.
Lunchtime? That was a vibe in itself — we served Gates BBQ, a Kansas City classic, sponsored by Athlete Transition Services. Huge shoutout to Jonathan Orr and his team for bringing the flavor (literally).
After lunch, Faith Girton moderated a standout panel called Leading from the Middle, with insights from Lauren Hawkins, Alexis Dotson, and Mike Miller. That panel hit home for so many in the room walking that leadership line daily.
From there, we got interactive with situation-based games and a presentation by Athletic Estate.
Then came one of the most unique moments of the summit: the International Athlete Development Panel. Scarlen Martinez brought in professional athletes from the Kansas City Current (shoutout Rocky Rodríguez) and the Kansas City Chiefs (Chu Godrick). That session showed the global importance of this work.
To end the day, the legend himself Will Baggett closed us out with a powerful, passionate keynote. He brought it home with purpose, presence, and punchlines. Will reminded us that the real work starts now.
And to wrap it up, we had a Summit Networking Event at Spark Coworking, sponsored again by Athletic Estate. A perfect way to reflect, connect, and celebrate the momentum we were building.
Saturday: History, Story, Legacy
We started Saturday morning with an unforgettable experience: a private tour of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum led by none other than Mr. Bob Kendrick. His words, his stories, and the history in that building laid a powerful foundation for our final day.
Then we shifted to a live recording of The Player Development Pod, featuring a conversation between me and Osman Kamara from Oregon. This conversation was transparent, rich, and real — just like the summit.
We followed with a fire panel from Dr. Lori Robinson and Jess Gray — and they brought it. They took us provided a master class of information.
And then we ended with our final session featuring Dr. Melissa Weinsz and Dr. Rahman Anjorin — who poured into us with wisdom and grace.
Finally, I gave closing remarks. I probably babbled, but I couldn’t help it — I was overwhelmed with gratitude.
Watch the Full Recap
I recorded a full video recap that goes into everything in detail — it’s nearly 90 minutes long. You’ll find it below. If you want the real behind-the-scenes breakdown, hit play.
👉 [Watch the Full Player Development Summit Recap Video Here]
Thank You.
To every attendee, sponsor, speaker, volunteer, and member of the Brain Tank — this doesn’t happen without you. This community doesn’t happen without you.
We created something special. We created an atmosphere of growth, learning, and family.
And I’m still on cloud nine.
P.S. If you haven’t already, check out my latest book: The Player Development Guide. It’s everything I wish I had when I started in 2016 — and it’s designed to help you walk further, faster.