2025 Athletes United Leadership Summit

The energy was high on Tuesday, October 14, as 425 student-athletes, 35 athletic directors, and 15 mentors from across Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools gathered at Central Piedmont Community College’s Central Campus for the 2025 CMS Athletes United Summit. Hosted by the CMS Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) — a group committed to developing student-athlete leaders through service and collaboration — the event united students, athletic directors, and mentors for a day of learning, leadership, and inspiration.

While the SAAC program is lead by CMS Athletics Administrators, it’s the students who drive the work behind the scenes — planning, organizing, and executing initiatives that impact their peers. The event was made possible thanks to the continued support of CMS Athletics District Sponsors- OrthoCarolina, TD Bank, and Bahakel Sports, whose partnerships help expand opportunities and awareness across the CMS athletic community.

Throughout the day, students participated in interactive workshops covering Financial Literacy, Athlete Wellness, FAFSA Navigation, and Personal Branding — all designed to help them prepare for life beyond high school athletics.

A major highlight of the event was the “Sneakers, Scrubs & Suits” panel discussion, featuring a former Carolina Panthers linebacker, an OrthoCarolina physician assistant, and several CEOs and doctors. Each panelist reflected on how their experiences as high school athletes shaped their personal and professional journeys, emphasizing the lasting impact of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance.

To wrap up the day, student-athletes visited The Tipsy Pickle in Charlotte, where they enjoyed pickleball matches, networking, and socializing with peers from schools across the district — a fun and energetic way to close out a day of growth and connection.

🎥 Want to see what the Summit looked like for yourself?
Check out the 2025 CMS Athletes United Summit Video