Key Takeaways
- Kodiak and Youth Sports Alliance enter third year of partnership, expanding reach from Summit and Wasatch counties into Salt Lake City school district
- Participation jumped 25% in 2024-25, with 3,231 young people enrolled in 184 afterschool programs
- Scholarship access nearly doubled under the partnership, rising from 21-25% to 41% of participants receiving financial assistance
- 31 schools now served across greater Park City and Salt Lake Valley regions
- Programs span winter and outdoor sports including snowboarding, skate skiing, and mountain biking
Partnership Scope and Geographic Expansion
Kodiak, the Park City-based protein breakfast brand, has renewed its title sponsorship of the Youth Sports Alliance’s Get Out & Play and ACTiV8 afterschool programs. The third-year partnership marks a geographic expansion into the Salt Lake City school district, adding to existing coverage in Summit and Wasatch counties.
The programs now operate across 31 schools in the greater Park City and Salt Lake Valley area. YSA, a nonprofit established as a legacy of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, serves more than 3,500 youth annually through afterschool programming and fundraising support for competitive winter sports teams.
Measurable Impact on Access and Participation
The partnership has delivered quantifiable results. During the 2024-25 school year, 3,231 young people participated in 184 Get Out & Play or ACTiV8 programs, representing a 25% year-over-year increase.
Perhaps more notably, the percentage of students receiving scholarships or discounts rose to 41%, compared to 21-25% before the Kodiak partnership began. This shift reflects the partnership’s stated goal of removing financial barriers to youth sports participation.
“Partnering with Kodiak allows us to reach more families and provide the support that makes winter sports accessible to every child, regardless of financial barriers,” said Emily Fisher, Executive Director of Youth Sports Alliance.
Brand Alignment and Resource Contribution
Kodiak provides both financial backing and product support, supplying its whole grain, protein-based foods to fuel program participants. The company’s headquarters in Park City positions it as a local partner with direct community ties.
“We’ve seen firsthand how these programs strengthen our communities by giving kids from all backgrounds access to sports, mentorship, and healthy habits,” said Cory Bayers, Chief Marketing Officer at Kodiak.
YSA has received recognition from the Aspen Institute, US Ski & Snowboard, Jaguar Land Rover, and the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition for its work removing barriers to participation.
via: PRNW
Looking Ahead
The expansion into Salt Lake City schools signals continued growth for the YSA model. With scholarship rates nearly doubled and participation trending upward, the Kodiak partnership offers a case study in how CPG brands can embed within youth sports ecosystems through sustained, multi-year commitments rather than one-off sponsorships.
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