02.24.2023

Under Armour and City Schools Celebrate Project Rampart Commitment to Inspiring and Investing in Student Athletes

Power of Sport Data Shows 98% Graduation Rate Among 4-Year Student Athletes
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Today, Under Armour and Baltimore City Public Schools celebrated Project Rampart, an ongoing six-year partnership designed to elevate the City Public High School student athlete experience and improve academic outcomes through the power of sport. 

 

At a ceremony at Edmondson-Westside High, Baltimore City Public Schools CEO Dr. Sonja Santelises, Mayor Brandon Scott and Under Armour Founder and Executive Chair Kevin Plank spoke about the transformative nature of Project Rampart and the impact of sports on the trajectory of young people’s lives. 

 

“Project Rampart is a tremendous partnership between Under Armour and the Baltimore City School System that is helping our young people achieve at the highest levels and win on and off the court,” said Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott. “The results of Project Rampart cannot be overstated, and we are so grateful to Kevin Plank and Under Armour for stepping up, providing the resources and technical assistance to support our students.”

 

In 2017, Under Armour partnered with City Schools and committed to providing all City Public High Schools that participate in interscholastic athletics with resources meant to improve student athletic and academic performance. Since launching Project Rampart, Under Armour has overseen the physical renovation of the schools’ gyms to state-of-the-art facilities and outfitted every team athlete with best-in-class uniforms. The company recently completed its second cycle of uniforms for all schools and sports in the district. In addition, Under Armour has connected both athletes and their coaches to other tools and experiences that promote skill and personal development. 

 

 

Boys Basketball Team

A measure of the far-reaching impact of the program can be found in the City high school graduation rates. According to data for the graduating class of 2019, the only class of students with four consecutive years of attendance uninterrupted by COVID-19 since Project Rampart’s launch, participation in sport has directly impacted student athlete graduation rates. Students who did not participate in sports had a graduation rate of 62.9%, while students who participated in sports all four years of high school had a graduation rate of 98.5%. 

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Speaking on behalf of City Schools, Baltimore City Public Schools CEO Dr. Sonja Santelises said, “We are so grateful for Under Armour’s ongoing partnership with our City Schools.  Project Rampart demonstrates the power of sport to drive positive outcomes for our students, and what our students can accomplish when the public and private sector come together to provide our students with the support and resources they need to succeed. Under Amour’s belief and acknowledgment of our young student athletes has had an immediate and long-lasting impact on the lives of our students.”  

 

Under Armour’s Executive Chair Plank remarked, “Since the beginning, the investment Under Armour has made has been very intentional. At UA, we know firsthand the power of sports, and the academic results we’re witnessing demonstrate what is possible. We believe in our student athletes, and recognize that support and resources on and off the field lead to tangible personal growth and life-altering results. Under Armour remains committed to the city schools, its student athletes and coaches.”

 

Beyond the physical renovations and uniforms, Under Armour’s Project Rampart provides support through the following initiatives:

  • Student Athlete Development – Student athletes have the opportunity to participate in dozens of Under Armour-sponsored development activations including sport-specific campus experiences and the Under Armour Student Athlete Leadership Council conducted in partnership with the Travis Manion Foundation.
  • Academic Support - A partnership with the AthLife Foundation helps student athletes stay on top of their studies in and out of season. This year alone, Under Armour is providing each of five Baltimore City High Schools with a $25,000 Academic Athletic Coach Grant Award, intended to create high-impact programming and drive greater gains in academic achievement. The five schools are: Reginald F. Lewis High School, Green Street Academy, Frederick Douglass High School, Dunbar High School and Edmondson-Westside High School.
  • Coaching and Athletic Director Training & Development - Under Armour, in partnership with the Baltimore Ravens and Positive Coaching Alliance, provides all Baltimore public high school coaches and athletic directors with character- and leadership-based coaching on a regular basis to ensure mentors are continuing to learn and grow as they serve student athletes.

 

At the celebration, Under Armour reaffirmed their commitment to partnering with City Schools to identify future opportunities to further the impact of Project Rampart and strengthen the broader community. 

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