February is Youth Leadership Month—a time to celebrate and invest in the next generation of leaders. At Travis Manion Foundation (TMF), leadership isn’t just a concept; it’s a practice that is built through mentorship and character education. For the past five years, TMF and Under Armour (UA) have been innovating character education through the Student Athlete Leadership Council (SALC) in Baltimore. Members of the council, composed of three student athletes from every public high school in Baltimore, are nominated by their athletic directors for demonstrating emerging leadership qualities among their peers. Since its inception, more than 300 student athletes in Baltimore have received character education through the partnership between UA and TMF. 

In the last year, more than 70 students received in-depth Character Does Matter (CDM) curriculum through monthly meetings at the UA house at Fayette, with 20% of those students being returning participants to the SALC. However, unlike many CDM facilitations, TMF and UA partner to bring these student athletes a full day of mentorship and character education each month. “This student council is the first of its kind,” says Blake Maciel, a TMF Veteran Mentor and UA representative who found his way to mentorship and coaching after serving in the Army. “As a coach, I’ve always believed in sports as a vehicle for character development, and this partnership seemed like a natural fit,” Blake says. “SALC is a day to come together, to work with TMF, and to help our student athletes better understand the things inside of them that make them leaders – why others see them that way, some character attributes they may already express and some they need to work on—to help create a positive environment in their schools and in their athletic environments.”

At SALC meetings, Blake is joined by TMF Veteran Mentors Dan Goodwin and Dave Owens. The trio makes it their mission to meet students where they are. “I think the extended engagement and quality time throughout an entire academic year gives the students and the Mentors time to get to know each other and trust each other,” says Dan. “They begin to share and allow themselves to be vulnerable. The cliques break down and friendships form across different school groups. The discussions get deeper and more real every single month as the kids start to believe that the Mentors really care and that their peers care and aren't there to judge, but to support. The thing that has most impacted me is the sense of hope and optimism I get from working with these students."

Senior members of the SALC were recently celebrated at a luncheon—honoring those 32 student athletes, half of which are returning members of the SALC— for their dedication and growth. “It's incredible to hear the seniors' plans and amazing to see them go to college with very important and ambitious dreams—both academic and athletic,” says Dan.

“TMF is an essential piece to the fabric of what we’re trying to create in Baltimore,” says Blake. “There’s a special sort of fellowship that I was fortunate enough to witness this year in the SALC, and I can’t wait to see what next year will bring.” 

TMF and Under Armour Freedom have joined forces to empower the next generation through Character Does Matter. This partnership brings together veterans and family members of the fallen as mentors, equipping young people with the leadership skills needed to succeed in life. Through engaging workshops, school programs, and athletic mentorship, TMF and Under Armour Freedom create opportunities for students to learn values like integrity, resilience, and service. By combining TMF’s proven character education curriculum with Under Armour Freedom’s commitment to supporting those who serve, this collaboration is making a lasting impact on youth nationwide, helping them build confidence and become positive forces in their communities.

Click here to learn more about CDM and how you can get involved with TMF in your community.