Colts & IHSAA relaunch “Purpose-Based Sports” push statewide

INDIANAPOLIS — The Horseshoe is teaming up with the IHSAA Foundation to put character development back on the scoreboard. The InSideOut Initiative — a national program that partners with NFL clubs and state associations — will officially relaunch across Indiana on Sept. 17 with backing from the NFL Foundation and the Indianapolis Colts. The effort equips superintendents, principals and athletic directors to build athletic programs where transformational coaching, belonging, and whole-person growth ride alongside wins and losses.

Originally piloted a decade ago and now aligned with 24 NFL teams in 20 states, the Initiative helps school leaders reframe success beyond the stat sheet and toward life skills that last well past the final horn. Indiana’s reboot comes with full funding support and a statewide call to huddles that value leadership, integrity and connection as much as game plans.

The IHSAA Foundation — the philanthropic arm serving 409 member high schools — will steer the rollout with a board that blends superintendents, athletic directors and at-large leaders from every corner of the state. Expect workshops, playbooks and year-round coaching cohorts designed to develop “purpose-based” programs that make every roster spot a growth opportunity.

Bottom line: this is a full-court press to make Indiana high school sports as intentional about people as they are about points — a culture play that should pay off on the field and in the classroom for seasons to come.