Rose Bowl Institute Marks Six Years of Global Impact

The Rose Bowl Institute (RBi) is celebrating its sixth anniversary and a significant milestone in its mission to advance sportsmanship, leadership, and citizenship through the power of sport.

Launched in 2020 through the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation, the Rose Bowl Institute has grown from an ambitious vision into a nationally recognized leader in sports-based education and sportsmanship. Over the past six years, the RBi has reached more than 600,000 youth across nearly all 50 states and more than 30 countries through free educational programming supported by one of the world’s most iconic sports brands–the Rose Bowl Stadium.

Among the Institute’s key milestones this year was the launch of the Global Sportsmanship Summit, which brought together leaders from around the world at the Rose Bowl Stadium on June 8 and 9, including Olympic champion Allyson Felix, Premier Partnerships Chairman Alan Rothenberg, and former MLB All-Star Tyson Ross. Held just days ahead of the FIFA World Cup, the Summit explored the role of sportsmanship in strengthening leadership, diplomacy, and society while positioning America’s Stadium at the center of a global conversation leading into the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Institute also continued its nationally recognized Rose Table Dialogues, convening thought leaders for meaningful conversations on topics including Respectful Rivalries, Why We Play, and The Freedom of Sport. Together, these marquee platforms reinforce the Rose Bowl Institute’s role as a global convener and its commitment to elevating the core values of sport.

In the past year, the RBi has partnered with leading organizations to advance its mission, including the Aspen Institute’s Sports and Society Program, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute, Players Coalition, the U.S. State Department’s Sports Diplomacy platform, the LA Sports Council, LA84, UNLV’s Sports Innovation Institute, and Fox Sports University.

The Institute has welcomed Olympians, Super Bowl Champions, Hall of Famers, active athletes, and influential leaders including Julie Foudy, Abby Wambach, Darren Woodson, and Ronnie Lott, to share inspirational messages and meaningful life lessons with the next generation.

The Institute also expanded its Athletes in Schools initiative nationally, connecting students with accomplished athletes, including former NFL player Jeremiah Brown and Olympian Tori Franklin, to share lessons in resilience, leadership, teamwork, and character. The program has now reached more than 45,000 students nationwide, reinforcing that success is measured not only by wins and championships, but also by how individuals lead, serve, and compete with respect.

Further advancing its commitment to empowering the next generation, the Rose Bowl Institute continued to expand its Women’s Empowerment programming, elevating women leaders, athletes, and change-makers through meaningful conversations around leadership, mentorship, equity, and opportunity. Since its inception, the Women’s Empowerment initiative has reached more than 100,000 participants across 47 states and 33 countries.

For the first time, the RBi also showcased its mission at Super Bowl Radio Row in the Bay Area, bringing conversations about sportsmanship, leadership, and the positive impact of sport to one of the country’s largest annual media and sports gatherings. The engagement created opportunities to connect with athletes, broadcasters, media, and industry leaders while introducing the Rose Bowl Institute’s mission to audiences across the country.

Expanding its reach to audiences nationwide, the RBi launched The Champion’s Edge, an ABC educational program hosted by acclaimed broadcaster and Rose Bowl Institute Advisory Board member Bonnie Bernstein. Featuring the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium, the series brings together accomplished female leaders in sports and beyond to explore the life lessons, mindsets, and character traits that define championship leadership. Currently airing, The Champion’s Edgereaches nearly one million viewers per episode.

“Every program we create is rooted in the belief that sports can teach lessons that last a lifetime,” said James Washington, President of the Rose Bowl Institute. “Whether we’re bringing athletes into classrooms, convening global leaders, or creating educational content that extends our reach around the world, our goal is to inspire young people to lead with integrity, resilience, and sportsmanship. As we celebrate this milestone, we’re even more excited about the opportunities ahead to expand that impact.”

“Six years ago, we envisioned the Rose Bowl Stadium as more than one of the world’s most iconic sports and entertainment venues. We saw an opportunity to create a platform that could help shape future leaders through the values of sport,” said Dedan Brozino, President of the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation. “Today, more than 600,000 young people around the world have experienced those values through the Rose Bowl Institute’s programming. As our reach continues to grow, we remain committed to advancing sportsmanship as a powerful tool for leadership, personal growth, and positive change. The RBi is building a global movement that demonstrates the lasting impact sportsmanship can have on individuals, communities, and society.”

Throughout its first six years, the Rose Bowl Institute has remained committed to positioning sports as a classroom for life. Its growing portfolio includes educational curricula, national partnerships, digital learning experiences, student leadership initiatives, community engagement programs, and signature events that promote integrity, respect, perseverance and civic responsibility.

As the world increasingly turns its attention to Los Angeles and Pasadena ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Rose Bowl Institute is uniquely positioned to leverage the global platform of the Rose Bowl Stadium to inspire the next generation of leaders through sport.

With six years of measurable impact and a growing international footprint, the Rose Bowl Institute continues to demonstrate that while games may end, the values learned through sport can create legacies that last a lifetime.