Former College/Pro Athletes Preparing High School Athletes to Thrive Beyond Sports!

I'M INTERESTED!

Too many athletes reach the end of their playing days without knowing who they are beyond the game. 

They feel lost — unsure of their purpose, identity, or future. At Banner, we aim to change that story.

A program overview letter from Banner Player Development featuring two photos: one of a hand writing in a notebook, and another of a person on the ground, in a sports facility. The letter addresses student-athletes, welcoming them to the program and emphasizing growth, resilience, and community.

Establish an Unshakable Identity

Not just what you do, but who you are — grounded in confidence, character, and purpose.

A person talking to an audience in a classroom or meeting room, with two smartphones in the foreground displaying athletic and promotional content.

Build Leadership and Character

Develop the mindset, integrity, and resilience that will carry athletes far beyond the field.

Screenshot of an online course lesson titled 'Module 5 | Lesson 1: Influence vs. Impact' showing two men sitting in a room discussing, with a quote on the screen: 'Let someone else's red lights be your headlights.' The course content explains the concepts of influence and impact.

Empower for Life Beyond Sports

 With tools like networking, resume building, and mock interviews, athletes gain a head start on future success — in college, career, and relationships.

SEE WHAT WE ARE TEACHING!
A coach giving instructions to a group of young boys in a gym, with weightlifting equipment and a large Iron Man graphic on the wall behind them.
A man in a navy blue polo shirt is speaking in front of an audience in a conference room, with his hands clasped together.
A large indoor gymnasium filled with students sitting in bleachers, listening to a person speaking on the basketball court. The gym has banners and a large 'RV' logo on the wall.
A man standing and speaking to a group of young men seated at a U-shaped table in a bright, modern room with large windows and white walls.
A man giving a presentation indoors, standing behind a wooden table with a laptop, books, and a small sign that says 'Banner'. A person with brown hair is seated in front, partially visible in the foreground. The room has a painting on the wall and a
Two young men on a football field, one in a white hoodie holding a football and the other in a football uniform, are interacting with each other while a third person stands nearby. In the background, a group of people are gathered on the sideline, wi
A young man in a dark blazer and gray shirt is speaking into a microphone at a table during a public event or speech, in a room decorated with balloons in the background.
A man speaking in front of an audience in a church setting with a cross and a stage, illuminated by blue stage lights.
A gymnasium filled with people sitting in purple bleachers, with the words 'GO BLAZERS' painted on the wall behind them. The basketball court is in the foreground.
A coach addresses a group of young athletes in a gym, where they are seated on the floor and benches, surrounded by weightlifting equipment, with a large 'Iron' sign on the wall.
An indoor basketball gymnasium filled with students seated in bleachers listening to a speaker. The gym has purple and white branding, with large letters 'R' and 'V' on the wall, and several banners hanging from the ceiling.
High school gymnasium filled with spectators seated in the bleachers, with a basketball court in the foreground. The wall behind the bleachers features large text that reads 'GO BLAZERS' and several banners hanging above.

WHAT WE DO

Students seated in bleachers attending a presentation or assembly in a school gymnasium with a speaker on stage, large basketball court, and banners and sports logos on the walls.

Partner with Schools & Athletic Programs

Why Schools Partner with us:

  • Time and expertise gaps – Coaches and athletic departments want to develop the whole athlete, but daily demands make it hard. Banner brings structure, support, and proven expertise so staff don’t have to do it alone.

  • Respected outside voices – Athletes respond to former college and pro players who have “been there.” Banner delivers credible, relatable voices that make key lessons stick.

  • Winning culture beyond “me” – Teams want to win, but culture matters. Banner helps build a team-first, values-driven environment that improves performance and relationships.

  • Life beyond sports – Athletes won’t play sports forever. Banner equips them with the mindset, skills, and perspective to succeed in college, careers, and life after the game.

The goal is simple: equip coaches and schools to intentionally develop athletes for success in sport, school, and life beyond the game.

We Work With:

✔ Entire Athletic Departments
✔ Single Teams or Coaches
✔ Leadership Councils and Captains

✔ Gyms & Other Athlete Groups

Explore Partnership

OUR SCHOOL PARTNERS

A stylized logo of a black and purple horse's head with white and gray accents, facing right.
A stylized logo with a shield outline and a letter 'B' inside.
Blue circular logo with a large letter 'P' and the word 'Pinewood' underneath.
Logo for St. John's Prep featuring a blue steeple and cross with the text 'St. John's Prep'.
A stylized logo of a black and purple panther head with sharp lines and details.
Modern logo featuring a stylized letter 'B' inside an outlined shape.
Pinewood High School logo with a large blue letter P and the word 'Pinewood' underneath in white against a dark blue circular background.
Logo of St. John's Prep featuring a blue church steeple and the text 'St. John's Prep' in dark blue.
A stylized illustration of a panther's head in black, purple, and gray with a fierce expression.
A dark blue abstract logo combining the shape of a phone and a barbell, with a shield outline.
Pinewood High School logo with a large blue letter P and the word PINEWOOD beneath it, set against a dark blue circle background.
Logo for St. John's Prep featuring a dark blue church steeple and the text 'St. John's Prep' in dark blue.
Smartphone screen showing a video and text about a lesson on working ethic examples from college and pro athletes

Player Development helps athletes excel in their sport and separates them long after the final whistle.

It’s not just about winning games. It’s about standing out for the next 40 years.

Are you ready to take the next step?

Individuals
School Partnerships
A football player holding an football while wearing a black shirt with a geometric design and a smartwatch on the wrist, with the word "MENTORSHIP" overlayed.
A man running up outdoor stadium stairs with the word "DEVELOPMENT" overlaid.
An athlete holding a football walking on a grassy field, wearing black shorts, black shoes, and a watch, with the word "IDENTITY" overlaid.
A man walking in a school hallway near a door with "Mindset" posters, carrying books and wearing a black t-shirt with a geometric dog outline, black shorts, and a backpack. The overlay text reads "Life Skills."
A person holding a football, wearing a black athletic shirt with a geometric logo, and a smartwatch on their wrist, outdoors. The word "MENTORSHIP" is overlaid on the image.
An athletic man in black sportswear running up outdoor concrete stairs with a chain-link fence and green trees in the background, with the word 'DEVELOPMENT' overlaid.
A person holding a football on a grassy field with the word 'IDENTITY' overlayed
A man walking down a school corridor with a backpack and a notebook, wearing athletic clothes, and the words 'Life Skills' overlaid on the image.
A young man with brown hair, wearing a light blue polo shirt, standing behind a wooden desk with his hands resting on it, smiling at the camera in a room with gray walls and two windows.

MEET OUR FOUNDER

Jay Urich, founder of Banner Player Development, is a former football student-athlete at the University of South Carolina with a passion for empowering young student-athletes to thrive beyond sports. After experiencing firsthand the challenges of balancing athletics, academics, and life, Jay recognized the need for a program that prepared players not only for competition but also for life after their playing days.

With a heart for mentorship and leadership, he created Banner to equip high school athletes with the tools to build character, develop core competencies, and discover their purpose outside of the game. Jay’s mission is to inspire the next generation to live with confidence, integrity, and discipline both on and off the field.

Jay Urich, M.Ed.

Group of people in a meeting, with a phone showing a young man in a green shirt speaking, and a tablet displaying a welcome message for the Banner Player Development Program.

Want to see some of what we are teaching HS Athletes?

GET A FREE INSIDE LOOK HERE!