Stephen Anderson - Rising Athlete Project

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.

Stephen brings a unique perspective from overseeing athletics from the earliest youth levels all the way 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, 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 has—or doesn’t have—a future in sports.

The conversation also explores how the role of parents should evolve as athletes get older. At the youth level, the priority should be creating positive experiences and keeping kids excited about coming 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 athletic 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 create healthier sports cultures.

The episode closes with three powerful lessons Stephen has learned during nearly a decade in athletic administration:

• Athletics is a people business. Relationships matter more than schedules, spreadsheets, and logistics.
• Clarity early is better than cleanup later. Establish expectations before problems arise.
• Protect the mission no matter how noisy it gets. Keep athlete development and the purpose of education-based athletics at the center of every decision.

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.

Learn more about Stephen and the Rising Athlete Project at RisingAthleteProject.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