Sport at the Service of Humanity (SSH) Higher Education Initiative
The Sport at the Service of Humanity movement invites faith and sport leaders from diverse traditions world-wide to embody the motto:
Live Like You Play!
The movement, launched during the 2016 Global Conference on Faith and Sport at the Vatican, is championed in the United States by the Sport at the Service of Humanity Foundation (SSHF).
Now, with encouragement from the Dicastery for Culture and Education, Saint Mary’s College of California and the Sport at the Service of Humanity Foundation have teamed up to further a nationwide higher education initiative, championing character development and care for the whole athlete by advancing the SSH Pillars and Principles. We will do this by providing grants to develop:
- Classes and Course Materials
- Co-curricular Programs, Speakers, and Workshops
- Service Projects
Join us as we work to harness the power of sport
as an agent for good in the world!
Saint Mary's College Youth Sport Leadership Summit - August 15th
Saint Mary’s College Youth Sport Leadership Summit
August 15th, 2026 9:30am - 3:00pm, Soda Center, Saint Mary’s College of California
Join the region's top high school coaches and sport administrators at Saint Mary’s College of California, for a day-long sport summit featuring a keynote address, panels, and workshops on the character and community building potential of sport. Network, earn Continuing Education Units (CEU’s), gain insights from peers, and wisdom from industry experts as we work together to harness the positive power of sport in the lives of young people and their communities.
Early bird registration begins June 20th
College professors, coaches, administrators, and staff members who wish to create coursework, co-curricular programs, and workshops that incorporate the Pillars and Principles of the SSH and champion the use of sport as a vehicle for good in the world.
“In today’s world, torn apart by so many divisions, sport remains an area where people are able to meet without barriers…where we can experience the pure joy of playing and competing together to reach a goal; where success can be shared and defeat overcome” (Pope Francis).
We recognize that sport has a significant cultural impact in our world. It can be a vehicle for character development, spiritual growth, community building, and world peace and has the power to bring people of all walks and beliefs together for a common purpose.
SSH Higher education initiative offers educators, coaches, and staff the opportunity to contribute to and learn from a diverse community who are dedicated to fostering the virtues of sport and committed to the growth of the whole student. We seek to facilitate, through sport, meaningful encounters between people of all faiths and of no faiths, and to “uphold the beauty and dignity of the human person…without barriers of race, sex, religion, ideology or physical condition” (Pope Francis).
A holistic education honors the dignity of the whole person and engages the head, heart, and hands in profound and practical ways. This initiative offers educators, coaches, and staff who are already engaged in and passionate about sport, meaningful and practical ways to serve others through sport. Apply for a SSH Higher Education grant (Opens March 13th) Not ready to apply? Sign up HERE to register your interest and join our mailing list.
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Join Our Team!
2025-2026 SSHI Grant Recipients
Our Three Pillars:
Inspiration
"Sport for Life"
Promoting the importance of values in sport and in life through the sharing of ideas and inspirational stories.
Inclusion
"Sport for All"
Advocating for unity and inclusion in sport regardless of race, gender, ability and faith.
Involvement
"Sport for Change"
Harnessing the transformational power of sport to be a catalyst for peace, development, and social change.
Our Six Principles:
Contact
Mary Volmer - mvolmer@stmarys-ca.edu
Mission Fellow for Athletics
SSH Higher Education Initiative Program Director