On the weekend of February 14-16, Uncommon Sports Group hosted ten USG Academy participants in Dallas, TX, for an Impact Weekend! USG offers a fully-funded Impact Weekend for every individual who completes the eight-week virtual USG Academy. These weekends allow Academy graduates to put what they have learned in the virtual Academy into action, such as networking with present leaders of the college and pro sport industry, fellowshipping with other Christians in sports, and being challenged to grow in their walks with Christ. Read a full recap of our latest Impact Weekend to Dallas here.
One of our participants during the Impact Weekend, Laura Leist, is presently working with NBC Sports Next in Minneapolis and coaching soccer with Twin Cities Rush. Below is a testimony of her experience during the Impact Weekend:
"I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the Dallas Impact Weekend in February 2024. I just want to thank USG for facilitating this weekend for us and working hard behind the scenes to set up the itinerary, figure out logistics, and being gracious hosts while we were in Dallas. We were able to experience a great mix of collegiate and professional athletic spaces and network with other USG members in the Dallas area at our Friday night networking event. We also served with a local non-profit, and that was a highlight for me! We had a Bible study, a short message that USG leaders prepared for us, and a strengths session. We ended our weekend by attending a Sunday morning church service, which was a great way to end our time together.
My experience with USG thus far has been great. I think the best part of the program for me has been the career development and networking aspects. We met people who were a few steps ahead of us or a couple of miles ahead of us in their careers and who were able to give us advice, encouragement, and challenge us. Everything we do is through a faith-based lens, which has been really cool to experience the sports world with like-minded believers. In my own experience, it’s a difficult space to be in as a follower of Jesus at times. However, it’s also an incredible opportunity and privilege. I think some people are called to become pastors, worship leaders, theologians, or missionaries and they will make a huge impact for the kingdom of God. I also know there are people who will never step foot into a church setting, but we get to meet them on the field, the court, the rink and introduce them to the love of God. I get emotional talking about it because I have seen lives changed through sports. It’s an incredibly powerful tool to build relationships, and when you build those relationships and that trust, your relationship with the Lord and the joy and love He has for you and those He’s intentionally put you around is going to make an impact.
I think the biggest takeaway from this weekend was the stories of life change that people working in sports have seen happen because of their obedience to go where God’s called them and living out their faith authentically.
If anyone is on the fence about joining USG, I say do it! The community USG has built is a great resource, and having a massive group of people rally around you as you continue your career in sports is so rare and special."
Seeing how God used this Impact Weekend to challenge, encourage, and grow the participants in their faith and careers was so encouraging. We are grateful to Laura for her testimony and commitment to serving Christ through the sport industry.
If you're interested in learning more about Uncommon Sports Group and how we can come alongside you as a Christian in the sport industry, click here to contact us or click here to see how you can get involved in our community.