Elevating student experiences through sport, spirit and achievement

Matt Mixer, Executive DirectorAdvocacy, Best Practices, Future Professionals, News & Events, Partnerships, SHAPE America

Kevin Atlas -Opening General Session Keynote at the 2020 SHAPE America National Convention in Salt Lake City,

Kevin Atlas (Laue) is an internationally renowned motivational speaker whose incredible life story of turning challenges into triumphs was chronicled in the Oscar-qualifying documentary, “Long Shot: The Kevin Laue Story.”

Due to complications at birth, Atlas, 28, was born with a left arm that ended just below the elbow. As a young child, he struggled in school and with self-confidence, until a middle school coach showed that he believed in him. From that moment on, Atlas dedicated himself to school — and basketball — and eventually became the first player with a disability in NCAA history to receive a full Division I athletic scholarship. After a successful college basketball career, Atlas went on to play professionally in Asia.

In 2019, with the support of Varsity Brands, Atlas began his nationwide Believe in You Tour — part of a campaign designed to challenge students to support one another.

With rising pressures on today’s youth, students nationwide are in need of a voice of support. Atlas hopes to spread his message to as many students as possible — inspiring them to first believe in themselves, and secondly believe in others.

(Click Here) for more information and to register for the 2020 National Convention.