Schedule mismatch
Most college access programs are not designed around athletic schedules, training blocks, and family logistics.
Gateway Athletes supports youth from underserved communities to ensure no athlete falls through the cracks.
The world of youth sports and college sports is changing rapidly and college access programs aren't meeting the needs of athletes. Students and parents need the right information that will lead to both athletic and academic success.
We build accountable, holistic pathways for underserved youth athletes — tracking and supporting them from middle school through college and beyond.
Our approach
The Gap We're Closing
Reaching the upper echelon of college sports is highly improbable for the vast majority of high school athletes. With millions competing nationwide, the transition to collegiate programs requires more than just talent. Student-athletes need proactive academic mapping, mental preparedness, and strategic guidance to bridge the gap.
Academic guidance gaps
Families need earlier clarity on A–G requirements, GPA expectations, and college readiness milestones.
Resource inequity
Training, advising, and pathway knowledge are often concentrated among families who can pay for them. Great athletes get left behind.
Access barriers
Families from low-income and minority backgrounds need access to the right information early so that they can chart the right path for their children.
8,300,000
High school athletes competing nationwide in 2024–25
fewer than 2%
Will compete at the NCAA Division I level
Sources: NFHS Athletics Participation Survey; NCAA Estimated Probability of Competing in College Athletics.
A Message from Ronnie and Karen Lott
“For over three decades, we have been committed to helping Bay Area youth thrive, and we know that backing forward-thinking, high-impact organizations is the key to lasting change. Gateway Athletes is exactly the kind of innovation needed for the new era of college athletics. By engaging with student-athletes in the 7th grade, Gateway addresses critical academic and resource gaps before they enter high school. Their unique approach—combining rigorous academic tracking, injury prevention, and parent education—ensures that talent is matched with healthy preparation and long-term mentorship. We encourage you to get involved with Gateway and help these young leaders ascend!”
821,586
Student-athletes competing in California, 2024–25
+1.8%
Year-over-year growth since the previous survey
Source: California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Participation Census, 2024–25.
Gateway Athletes
Record-Breaking Participation
California education-based athletics participation has reached a historic all-time high, surpassing the previous record set in 2020.
According to the latest California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Sports Participation Survey, students are returning to and thriving in school sports, driving athletic programs to unprecedented levels of engagement across the state.
Who we serve
Rising 8th Graders Ready to Ascend
Gateway Athletes targets rising 8th grade student athletes from underserved communities in the Bay Area. Our wraparound model means no athlete falls through the cracks — we stay accountable to every young person in our program, long after most programs have moved on.
Starting in 7th grade, students are nominated by coaches, school district leaders, and community programs like the Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula. Nominated students apply in the fall and are admitted by early spring, so families can plan for one of our two-week summer workshop sessions.
Gateway Athletes serves the San Francisco Bay Area, beginning with the communities served by the Ravenswood School District and the Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula.
Our Program
ASCEND
A
ATHLETICS
Elite skill development and competitive preparation.
S
SCHOLARSHIP
Academic support and college prep alongside athletics.
C
COMMUNITY
Deep Bay Area roots — belonging built before college.
E
EXCELLENCE
High standards in performance, character, and effort.
N
NURTURING
The whole athlete — the ongoing, long-haul approach.
D
DEVELOPMENT
Multi-year growth from 8th grade into adulthood.
Summer workshops
The Gateway Summer Workshops
Academic Requirements
Educating students and parents on the specific high school courses needed for collegiate sports eligibility.
Athletic Conditioning
Introducing standard collegiate training methods to bridge the gap for families lacking private training resources.
Sports Realities
Firsthand insights from experienced high school, collegiate, and professional sports veterans.
NIL Education
Demystifying Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and the shifting modern landscape of college sports.
Game Plan Development
Empowering athletes to outline their 8th-grade year and beyond with support from peer mentors.
Parent Education
Dedicated, targeted guidance sessions for parents navigating high-level athletic and academic recruitment pipelines.
What Partners Say
“At BGCP we are excited to partner with Gateway Athletes. Terri Givens has been a volunteer and supporter of BGCP for many years, she has great insight into the development of student-athletes and creating pathways to higher education. The program she is developing bridges a gap that she is uniquely qualified to fill and will provide our students with the support they need to succeed in a changing landscape for high school and college athletes.”
For students and families
Be first to know.
Gateway Athletes is building a program for student athletes — academics, mentorship, and the life that comes after the game. Add your family to the list and we'll send updates as programming takes shape.
Parents and guardians, this one's for you. We'll only use your information to send Gateway Athletes updates.
Get engaged
Ways to Help
We are building this program with the Bay Area community, not for it. Here is where we need you.
Mentor an athlete
Minimum of one to two hours of monthly check-ins. Training and onboarding provided.
Volunteer at camps and events
Support our summer workshop sessions on the ground.
Donate
Fund scholarships, camp operations, and long-term athlete support.
Partner with us
Schools, districts, clubs, and community organizations building the pipeline together.
Become a corporate sponsor
Underwrite a cohort, a session, or a program area.
Give in kind
Gear, equipment, facility space, transportation, meeting space.
Share and spread the word
Help us reach the families who need this most.
Tell us how you'd like to help
Donate
Fund the Launch
Your donation launches the pipeline from 8th grade to college and beyond. Every gift funds scholarships, summer workshops, mentorship, and long-term student-athlete support.