E-mail: Improve@GoBeyondTheGame.org
BEYOND THE GAME
BEYOND THE GAME
Beyond The Game empowers youth to excel in all facets of life. With your help, we are able to change the lives of kids by providing them with opportunities to reach success in many aspects of their lives. Our program was founded in 2016 with the goal to touch as many young adults as possible. Today, we have reached over 3,600 kids through our Guys With Ties and Girls With Pearls programs as well as over 6,000 kids through different camps and events. In addition, we have had the pleasure of donating over $200,000 in supplies to families in need while impacting 7 different states. If you would like to donate to our cause, you can do so through the link below. We thank you in advance for your support and look forward to what the future will bring!
2025 EVENTS
Tusky Valley Welcome Mike Dewine
Governor Mike Dewine Visits Tusky Valley Elementary
The members of Guys With Ties and Girls With Pearls at Tuskey Valley Elementary had an unforgettable experience, putting their newly practiced first impressions into action by meeting Governor Mike DeWine. The power of a positive first impression is the very first lesson our guys and girls learn within their programs. From a firm handshake to confident eye contact, our students are taught the importance of presenting themselves with respect, confidence, and professionalism. This special opportunity allowed our young gentlemen and gentlewomen to showcase the values they’ve been developing through the program, including leadership, courtesy, and character. Meeting Governor DeWine not only reinforced the importance of these skills but also inspired these students to continue striving for excellence in their everyday lives.
Motivational Concert
2025 Inaugural Motivational Concert
Our first-ever Motivational Concert was held on Wednesday, September 3rd, in Navarre, Ohio, at the Fairless High School Football Stadium. The Motivational Concert was a high-energy, emotionally charged experience combining live music, dynamic speakers, and real conversations. We tackled the biggest issues facing students today—mental health, depression, suicide, lack of motivation, and identity struggles—and replaced them with hope, purpose, and inspiration. This event was filled with unforgettable moments: scholarship giveaways, surprise life-changing gifts (including a car!), powerful resources like the “Mental Manual,” and connections to real mentors who care. Students left knowing they matter—and that they’re not alone.
Back To School Community Fun Day
2025 Back To School Community Fun Day
Beyond The Game partnered with Ashton Dulin of the Indianapolis Colts for the Annual Back To School Community Fun Day and it was a SUCCESS! 200 FREE backpacks filled with school supplies were given away, along with FREE haircuts, community vendors, games, fun, and more! We are so thankful for this opportunity to work with Ashton Dulin and to help young athletes go Beyond The Game! Click the button below to view pictures and to read more about this event's impact!
Friday Night Lights
2025 Friday Night Lights Canton, Ohio
Our 2025 FNL Camp in Canton, Ohio at the Pro Football Hall of Fame served over 300 kids making it one of our most impactful camps yet! We want to give a special thank you to these players and all volunteers for giving the kids an unforgettable experience. These events would not be possible without them!
2025 Friday Night Lights Las Vegas, Nevada
This year we were able to hold our first ever Friday Night Lights Camp in Las Vegas, Nevada! We served over 200 kids and were joined by Las Vegas Raiders players Tommy Eichenberg and Amari Gainer! Thank you to Mater Academy for hosting this camp and helping to make it a success! We are so grateful for these players and all volunteers for giving these kids an amazing experience and making this event so special!
Beyond The Bourbon
The 2025 Bourbon with the Buckeyes fundraiser was a success! We were joined by Girls With Pearls and Guys With Ties students, NBC 4's Monica Day, Mike Doss, and many more! The funds raised from BWTB allow us to continue to develop, grow, and elevate our Guys With Ties and Girls With Pearls leadership programs. Thank you SO much to our sponsors and all of their support, it wouldn't be possible without you!
Our 2024 Christmas Shopping Spree featured 108 kids from our Guys With Ties and Girls With Pearls programs in Central Ohio. Each kid received an $100 gift card and had so much fun participating in this event! We want to give a special thank you to Walmart for hosting this event and giving these kids an unforgettable experience!​
​Mental Manual
This fall, our mentor Jamal Luke has been making an incredible impact at Dublin Coffman High School, where he’s been working with over 100 student-athletes. Using our Mental Manual Jamal has been guiding these athletes through the essentials of strong mental health in sports, teaching them strategies to stay focused, resilient, and confident on and off the field. His commitment is helping young athletes to grow and develop not just on the field, but Beyond The Game.​
Columbus' own NBC 4 Star Monica Day, interviews President Devin Jordan and a school leader from St. Andrews Elementary, Katie Cappello on Guys With Ties and Girls With Pearls while also getting the opportunity to meet with some of the students and learn more about our programs!
Parma’s Pleasant Valley Elementary School recently introduced the national Girls with Pearls program. “The goal is just to empower young girls,” said Parma City School District occupational therapist Rachael Grubb, one of the Girls with Pearls program coordinators. The girls are really enjoying the program!
The girls at Columbus Humanities Arts and Technology Academy got a visit from guest speaker Alissa Henry, host of The Cash Explosion Show & lifestyle show host at ABC6/FOX28 to talk about setting goals and chasing dreams! The girls got to ask Alissa questions about her job and how she accomplished her goals.
Our Guys With Ties from Claymont Intermediate School had a blast learning all about table manners and how to properly set the table! Jon Baker from the Times Reporter had the opportunity to attend this meeting and to interview some of the boys, as well as their program leader, Neeko Longshore.
More Events
"I love seeing the work that Beyond The Game has done to make a positive impact on young people"
— Jim Tressel
Deputy Governor of Ohio
“The mental manual has definitely helped keep me focused on a positive outlook during my transition into my rookie season. It’s something I know athletes of all ages can benefit from.”
— Harrison Bryant
Cleveland Browns Football Player
Thank You For Helping Make 2024 A Special Year!
In 2024 Beyond The Game was able to expand both Guys With Ties and Girls With Pearls reaching over 2,600 kids in 41 schools and 6 states! Our goal is to reach 100 schools by 2026. The Mental Manual was used in over 16 new teams and programs across the nation and we donated over $58,000 in supplies and food across the nation. Thank you to all of our sponsors who help make this possible! We look forward to 2025 and the growth ahead of us.
THANKYOU
A BIG thank you to our sponsors for their continuing support. Your financial contribution is what helps make our programs and events possible.
