Ogden Announces the Launch of the Untamed Sports Academy at the New Marshall White Community Center

Ogden City is proud to announce the launch of the Untamed Sports Academy this fall at the newly reopened Marshall White Community Center, a state-of-the-art hub for recreation and community development. As part of Ogden USA, the Academy reflects the City's commitment to accessible, affordable opportunities that allow kids to play multiple sports at a competitive level - complementing the recreation leagues the City continues to offer.

A National Problem, A Local Solution

Across the country, youth sports have shifted away from balance and development. Too often, children are pushed into specializing in a single sport at younger and younger ages. Research shows this leads to burnout, overuse injuries, and limited long-term success.

"I'm as competitive as they come," said Ogden City Mayor Ben Nadolski. "But competition should not come at the expense of kids' well-being. Families are being forced into expensive, specialized programs that don't serve their best interests. We are building a different model in Ogden - one that keeps kids playing, growing, and thriving across multiple sports."

The Untamed Approach

Untamed creates opportunities for kids to:

• Play multiple sports throughout the year, developing as well-rounded athletes with strong, resilient bodies adapted to many types of movements, strengths, and skills.
• Compete at a higher level in programs that are complementary to recreation leagues.
• Access affordable programs, supported by a strong partnership with the Ogden School District, which has been instrumental in opening facilities and supporting the Untamed vision.
• Prepare for high school athletics, serving as a community pipeline that builds confidence, skills, and readiness to compete at the next level.
• Learn leadership, teamwork, and achievement, shifting the focus back to youth development instead of profit or winning at all costs.

As the program grows, Ogden will also explore expanding the range of sports offered and building partnerships with community organizations to enhance the value of the program. Potential future opportunities could include clinics and classes in nutrition, civic participation, volunteerism, leadership development, and academic support.

The Marshall White Center: A New Home for Youth Development

The Untamed Sports Academy is anchored at the newly renovated Marshall White Community Center, featuring:

• Brand-new basketball and volleyball courts.
• An indoor turf training facility for year-round conditioning.
• Batting cages for baseball and softball development.
• Classrooms designed for clinics, guest speakers, and youth development programs.

This mix of athletic and educational facilities ensures the Academy can grow into more than just a sports program - it is a community-building platform where athletics are paired with life skills and future opportunities.

How the Academy Works

The Untamed Sports Academy complements the City's Untamed teams in softball, baseball, boys' and girls' basketball, and boys' and girls' volleyball.

It is designed as:

• An off-season training program for kids who want to sharpen their skills in specific sports, while still having access to multiple sports throughout the year.
• A development pathway for athletes interested in joining Untamed teams.
• A program scheduled to encourage multi-sport participation, so kids don't have to choose one sport too soon.
• A youth development program taught by qualified coaches who have completed Coach-the-Coach instruction in youth training and mentorship.

"The Untamed Sports Academy will be a program where athletes feel supported, confident, and motivated to reach their full potential," said Ryley Buttars, Recreation Supervisor. "We are proud to provide a resource that gives back to the community by helping young athletes grow both on and off the field or court."

Big Dreams, Local Roots

This initiative is also part of a broader community goal: to raise at least one Olympian from right here in Ogden. By setting that goal, the City is creating pathways and programs that give every child opportunities to grow, compete, and develop. For some, that may mean high school success, for others college opportunities - and for a few, even the Olympic stage.

This commitment also ties into Ogden's Olympic legacy goals, which place a special focus on youth. The Olympic organizing committee asks every host community to establish legacy initiatives that last well beyond the Games. In Ogden, we believe the success of our youth - on the field, in the classroom, and in life - should be at the center of that legacy.

The reality is that the most successful athletes around the world grew up playing multiple sports. They found their focus later in life, building on a strong, balanced foundation of different movements, skills, and strengths. That is exactly what the Untamed Sports Academy is designed to provide: balance and development that set kids up for even greater success later in life.

"This isn't pie-in-the-sky thinking," noted Mayor Nadolski. "What we lack is not talent, but access. Programs like Untamed and the Academy will change that, giving every kid in Ogden the chance to thrive, to compete, and to dream big."

Ogden USA: A World-Class City for World-Class Kids

"Ogden is an Olympic host community, and we don't have to do things the way everyone else does. We are Ogden USA - and that is why this new program proudly carries the name Untamed Sports Academy. We are a world-class city with world-class kids and families. And our people deserve access to opportunities to invest in themselves in ways that no other community is offering." - Ogden City Mayor Ben Nadolski

Details & Enrollment

Academy training began September 5 with boys' and girls' volleyball and basketball for ages 7-18. Softball and baseball programs are already underway, with 100 youth athletes currently enrolled.

Program Schedule:

• Softball: Mon & Wed | 7-8 PM
• Baseball: Mon & Wed | 7-8 PM
• Basketball: Tues 8-9 PM & Fri 6-7 PM
• Volleyball: Fri | 5-6 PM

Enrollment is just $25 per month per sport for Ogden residents and $40 for non-residents, with scholarships available to Ogden residents who need financial assistance to ensure cost is never a barrier.

For more information or to register, visit ogdencity.gov/Untamed-Academy .