Throwback Thursday! Back in 2024, we held our very first FIRST DOWN session! What started as a passion and a dream turned into an etiquette session with just 6 students. Today, our FIRST DOWN Mentorship Program has impacted over 100 student-athletes and just continues to grow!

We love getting to support our FIRST DOWN student-athletes outside the classroom! 🏈💙 Last week, we got to cheer on Mason and his Prestonwood Christian Academy football team as they brought home the win! Great job Mason!

THE COUNTDOWN IS ON! We’ve been having a great time with our FIRST DOWN U students! And now, the start of our FIRST DOWN Mentorship Program for high school students is just around the corner! So, Big Champs… are you ready?! We’ll see you soon! 💙

This is why we do what we do! One of our Lil Champs came early to our FIRST KIDS session because she said she loves coming and couldn’t wait to be there! And one FIRST KIDS mom recently told us that her son loves coming and is sad when he can’t make it.💙

Panelist Spotlight: Romby Bryant Thank you Romby for sharing your experience, wisdom, and encouragement with our FIRST DOWN athletes! We’re thankful to have you alongside us as we continue Building Champions Step by Step, Generation to Generation! 💙

In this week's FIRST DOWN U session, panelists spoke with our student-athletes about the real-world challenges, uncertainties, and opportunities that come when it’s time to move to the next phase of life. Thank you to our panelists Reggie Davis, Jennifer Davis, & Logan Parr!

Happy National Book Month! 📚 Books can do so much more than tell a story. They can make you curious. They can make you laugh. They can take you somewhere new. And sometimes… they can inspire you to dream bigger. ✨

Sports are more than just a game – they can be a powerful tool to help build character, confidence, and lifelong skills. That’s why we’re excited to partner with Every Child Plays through FIRST GIFT! Want to learn more about Every Child Plays? Visit everychildplays.com/

Calling all current FIRST DOWN students and alumni! Are you in the FIRST DOWN Alumni Network LinkedIn Group yet? If not, this is your sign to join. 👇

Throwback Thursday! Leonard was selected in the 3rd round of the 1992 NFL Draft. He went on to spend 9 years in the league with the Cincinnati Bengals, Minnesota Vikings, and Carolina Panthers. We’re grateful for the example he continues to set and the wisdom he brings to CEOC!

Launched in Spring 2024 with a small group of high school athletes, FIRST DOWN has since grown and expanded to include FIRST DOWN U at Southern Methodist University, creating even more opportunities for student-athletes to learn, connect, and grow.

While CEOC originally developed the curriculum and structure for FIRST KIDS, today we’re blessed to sponsor organizations that bring the program to life in their own communities. Building Champions Step by Step, Generation to Generation! 💙

Role vs. Identity. You are more than your sport. Your role is what you do. Your identity is who God says you are. Take a listen to this clip from Demetric Evans! Want to learn more about FIRST DOWN U? Visit us at ceoc.org/programs.

Panelist Spotlight: Marcus Price We’re incredibly grateful for the wisdom and perspective Marcus brings to our FIRST DOWN student-athletes as he challenges them to recognize their potential and become champions in life. We’re thankful to have him as part of the FIRST DOWN family!

Our volunteers play such an important role in helping our campus coaches and assistants create meaningful, engaging sessions where each child! So when the people who serve alongside us believe in that vision and see the impact firsthand, it means more than we can say!

We’re thankful for the opportunity to partner with amazing organizations like Mercy Street who share our heart for investing in the next generation! We’re excited to see all that God will continue to do through this partnership! 💙

Happy National Literacy Month! 📚✨ This year, we have an extra special reason to celebrate, because FIRST KIDS is officially back in session! We’re so excited to have our Lil Champs back in our classrooms developing into confident readers and growing their knowledge in Christ!

Introducing the FIRST DOWN Alumni Network! Through the Alumni Network, our former mentees will have opportunities to connect with fellow alumni and panelists, hear words of encouragement, gain career advice, discover opportunities, and continue to learn from professionals!