Youth sports move fast — and most families step into middle school and high school athletics without anyone telling them what's actually changing. In this episode of Talkin' with the AD, Morgan sits down with Stephen Anderson, Athletic Director at Providence Academy in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and creator of the Rising Athlete Project, for a wide-ranging conversation about helping young athletes navigate every stage of their sports journey — from a first youth season all the way through high school.
Stephen brings a rare perspective from overseeing athletics across a 4K–12 program, seeing how sports culture develops from the earliest youth levels through high school. Together, Morgan and Stephen break down what athletes actually need at each stage, why middle school may be the most misunderstood developmental period in sports — "the messy middle" — how puberty and late development can dramatically change an athlete's trajectory, and why coaches and parents should be careful about deciding too early who does — or doesn't — have a future in sports.
The conversation also explores how the role of parents should evolve as athletes grow up. At the youth level, the priority is creating positive experiences and keeping kids excited to come back. In middle school, patience becomes critical as athletes develop at dramatically different rates. By high school, parents should increasingly empower athletes to communicate with coaches, advocate for themselves, and take ownership of their own experience.
Stephen also shares the story behind the Rising Athlete Project — a collection of resources designed to help parents, coaches, and athletic directors better understand the transitions from youth sports to middle school and, ultimately, high school athletics. The goal is simple: educate families before problems develop, and give athletic leaders practical tools to build healthier sports cultures.
The episode closes with three lessons Stephen has learned across nearly a decade in athletic administration:
Whether you're raising your first young athlete, coaching middle school sports, navigating the high school experience, or leading an entire athletic department, this conversation is packed with practical perspective for making the sports journey better for everyone involved.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
The Rising Athlete Project — everything is at RisingAthleteProject.com
Free downloads: the First Season Starter Kit, the Middle School Reality Check, and the High School Readiness Checklist.
Field Guides (available to purchase): the Rising Rookie Field Guide, the Rising Middle Schooler Field Guide, and the Rising Freshman Field Guide — roughly 50–60 pages each, or grab the full collection.
The Rising Athlete Report — Stephen's free newsletter, including his seasonal fall lead-in series.
Connect with Stephen on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stephentanderson
Providence Academy (Green Bay, WI): ProvidenceGB.org
A FEW MEMORABLE MOMENTS
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Talkin' with the AD is a podcast for athletic directors, school leaders, coaches, parents, and athletes — built around education-based athletics and the people who make it work. Hosted by Morgan J. Sullivan — athletic director, coach, and author of Coach on Leadership.
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🔗 Free resources and more at betteryouthcoaching.com
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Better Youth Coaching
Mission is to improve amateur sports through education of parents, coaches, and athletes
Better Youth Coaching
Mission is to improve amateur sports through education of parents, coaches, and athletes
Visit betteryouthcoaching.com - information for parents, coaches, and athletes.
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