Pillars
Our camps are based on these four pillars
Fun
Fun is why we all started playing sports, and it's too often the thing that gets taken out of sports for young athletes.
We ensure that fun and enjoyment are central to the experience of every athlete.
Challenge
Growth only happens outside our comfort zones.
We put our athletes in challenging situations to foster growth.
Support
Challenge without support breeds anxiety.
We support each athlete, at their current level, as they're challenged to level-up.
Connection
One of the greatest values in sport is the opportunity to be connected to a team.
We foster connection and positive relationships between coaches and athletes.
Core Values
Everything we do as an organization comes back to these four core values
Athlete-Centered
What we do on the court and in the classroom is grounded in research and experience.
Everything we do is centered around what is best for the long-term development of each athlete.
Excellence
We hold ourselves to the highest standard.
We commit to delivering the best experience possible to every athlete and family that participates in our programs.
Service
It's not about us.
We exist to serve athletes on their journey and to help them reach their aspirations in the athletics and life
Safety
Every athlete deserves a safe environment to learn and grow in.
We commit to creating an environment that is physically and emotionally safe for all athletes.
Meet the Founder
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Luke Gromer, M. Ed
Founder & President
Luke Gromer is founder and president of RYG Athletics.
RYG Athletics operates some of the country's highest-rated NIKE Sports Camps each summer, serving hundreds of athletes across various sports. These camps intentionally integrate leadership and mindset training into all sessions, helping athletes grow as people and players.
Luke is a passionate advocate for restoring joy in sports. He has a decade of experience coaching basketball and other sports, as well as over 15 years of experience working at or leading summer camps. Luke is dedicated to using sports as a vehicle for teaching leadership and mindset skills that help athletes thrive in both sport and life.
Beyond RYG Athletics, Luke also created and hosts The Cutting Edge Coaching Podcast, where he has conducted over 100 interviews with top coaches, sports psychologists, experts, and leaders on effective coaching.
Additionally, Luke delivered a TEDx talk titled, "The Missing Ingredient in Youth Sports" where he outlined how we can provide better experiences in sport to youth athletes.
Luke holds a bachelors and masters degree in education. He lives in Fayetteville, Arkansas with his wife and three young children