By Andrea Reay, Executive Director, Discover Burien

The Highline Athletic Club recently announced a new partnership with Kevin Chiles, owner and lead sports development coach at Chiles Sports Development, known in the athletic community simply as “CSD”. CSD is a unique program that motivates student athletes to maximize their athletic abilities by actively designing and refining their training programs in direct correlation with their team, coach, family and athletic demands in order to nurture and empower them to reach their highest potential. “This isn’t your average sports clinic or camp” offered Mr. Chiles when I had the opportunity to sit down with him and Highline Athletic Personal trainer Masree Butler. Mr. Chiles founded CSD back in 2004 and began the program at Skyline High School in 2004. He has since lead Skyline to 6 championships and inspired thousands of kids to reach their full potential, in life and athletics. In December he will be bringing the program to the H.A.C. for the first of what we hope will be a series of events. “The H.A.C. isn’t your average gym” Mr. Butler added “We’ve been a part of this community for decades and it’s important that we serve our community. We know how important student athletics are and want to be able to help our kids reach their full potential. Our partnership with CSD is one of the many ways our club is focused on serving the families on our community”

The link between student athletics and achievement is profound. In a study conducted by the University of Kansas, Angela Lumpkin, professor of health, sport and exercise sciences and Rebecca Achen, doctoral candidate and graduate teaching assistant at KU analyzed data for students in grades nine through 12 for the 2011-12 school year. They were able to conclude that student athletes had higher attendance, higher graduation rates and lower dropout rates than non-athletes. “When a student has to earn the right to play a sport by performing in the classroom, that is a very strong factor in keeping adolescents in school,” said Lumpkin.

Adolescents who play sports are eight times as likely to be active at 24 as adolescents who do not play sports (Sports Participation as Predictors of Participation in Sports and Physical Fitness Activities in Young Adulthood, Perkins, 2004). Three-in-four (77%) of adults aged 30+ who play sports today played sports as school-aged children. Only 3% of adults who play sports currently did not play when they were young. (RWJF/Harvard/NPR)

High school athletes are more likely than non-athletes to attend college and get degrees; team captains, MVPs achieve in school at even higher rates (US Dept. of Education, 2005). The benefits extend to the workplace. A survey of 400 female corporate executives found 94% played a sport and that 61% say that has contributed to their career success (EY Women Athletes Business Network/espnW, 2014).

You don’t have to be a member of H.A.C. to attend the CSD program in December. Although the cost of a student membership at H.A.C. is only $39.99 a month before tax. H.A.C. and CSD know that no matter the cost, it can be a barrier to participation, which is why they are proud to offer a scholarship program for the clinic. If any individuals or businesses are interested in sponsoring a scholarship for the event they should contact Kevin Chiles at chiles_csd@msn.com or (206) 225-8608. “We’re hoping that we are able to sponsor enough scholarships for the December event that we won’t have to turn away any student athlete that wants to participate” Mr. Butler concluded.

For more information on how H.A.C. can help motivate you to reach your own fitness and health goals as well as other events happening in our community, please visit www.discoverburien.org.