Coaches Corps

The goal of the Urban Initiatives Coaches Corps (UICC) is to enhance the character development, health education, physical fitness, and academic engagement in youth in the Chicago Public Schools through training and curriculum development for PE teachers. 

More specifically, UICC uses teachable moments through participation in athletics to instill the values of teamwork, respect, commitment, perseverance, hard work, and discipline to students enrolled in kindergarten through eighth grade in the Chicago Public Schools. The program also promotes healthy lifestyles through the opportunity to engage in physical activity coupled with nutrition education. Finally, UICC emphasizes the student in student/athlete by connecting athletic participation to academic performance.

UICC aims to integrate these values into school culture by training Physical Education teachers to incorporate our health and character curriculum into their everyday lessons. Ultimately the goal is to use sports as a vehicle to give student/athletes the tools necessary to succeed in life.

We are thrilled to be offering UICC in 10 schools, allowing our health and character messages to reach more than 2,500 student/athletes across the city. 

If you are interested in knowing more about Coaches Corps please contact Andy Neilsen, Coaches Corps Program Coordinator, at andy@urbaninitiatives.org.