SURGE by BSN Sports has teamed up with pro football champion Donald Driver to become the program’s first chief motivation officer. In this newly created role, The Green Bay Packers legend will support the program, empowering girls to stay in sports and lead healthy, successful lives.
SURGE provides free online tools for coaches to build self-esteem, instill confidence and prioritize mental health in their female athletes, designed to combat the trend of girls dropping out of sports at twice the rate of boys by age 14. Research shows that “girls who play sports through high school have higher levels of self-esteem, lower levels of depression, greater academic success, higher graduation rates, and are more likely to have successful careers,” said BSN in a media release.
SURGE (Strength, Unity, Resilience, Growth, and Equity) was founded one year ago to address the needs for tailored resources expressed by coaches and female athletes nationwide. In its first year, SURGE membership “grew to over 5,000 coaches, reaching over 370,000 female athletes, encompassing 21 sports across all 50 states,” continued BSN.
“As the driving force behind team sports, Varsity Brands is proud to champion female athletes through SURGE,” said Adam Blumenfeld, CEO of Varsity Brands, the parent company of BSN Sports. “Our nationwide presence allows us to connect with athletes and coaches at every level, ensuring they have access to the resources, training and support needed to succeed. With the program’s continued growth and our new partnership with Donald Driver, we’re working to close the gap in women’s sports and help female athletes reach their full potential on and off the field.”
“According to the Aspen Institute’s 2024 State of Play report, 72 percent of youth head coaches are male. SURGE’s partnership with Driver aims to increase the company’s connection and participation from these coaches and ensure they are best prepared to effectively support today’s female athlete,” the company noted.
“Young athletes pour everything into their sport, but, too often, they lack the resources and coaching support needed to reach their full potential,” said Driver. “As SURGE’s first chief motivation officer, I’m eager to help close that divide. From my experiences—like creating the Donald Driver Foundation to cheering on my daughters when they compete — I’ve seen the impact of strong mentorship. I’m partnering with BSN Sports to inspire, educate and uplift female athletes so they feel unstoppable in their pursuit of greatness.”
Driver joins SURGE partners and content contributors WeCoach, Women Leaders in Sports, Nancy Lieberman Charities, and Allison Schmitt, Olympian and World Champion swimmer, named SURGE’s chief empowerment officer in 2024.
In addition to his contributions to SURGE, Driver will reportedly partner with BSN Sports’ Collegiate Select Division to create positive opportunities for women’s collegiate athletic programs and athletes.
BSN Sports provides team sports uniforms, athlete and fan apparel and equipment that reaches a wide range of coaches and athletes. The company serves over 150,000 coaches and teams and equips over seven million athletes annually through partnerships with Adidas, Lululemon, Nike, Puma, and Under Armour.
Images courtesy SURGE by BSN Sports
