Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

In Building Bridges Between Athletics and Community, Lee Burchett explains that athletics shapes student identity by embedding character development into everyday sports practices, using drills, team meetings, and competition as moments to teach leadership, accountability, and perseverance. He says that coaches aren’t just trainers but cultural leaders who model and reinforce school values. He talks about athletic programs actively reaching out to the community and organizing events, inviting families, local businesses, and civic groups to participate. He speaks on building systems where athletes mentor younger students and alumni help sustain traditions, creating a living culture that passes leadership forward. Importantly, Burchett insists on measuring success through behavioral growth and community involvement, not just wins, ensuring athletics serves as a foundation for both personal and collective development.

Building Bridges Between Athletics and Community by Lee Burchett is an exceptionally well-written guide that delivers a great and practical framework for integrating athletics with community development and leadership. I appreciate the strong calls to action that encourage athletic programs to embed values intentionally, using tools like the FORCE model and structured development plans. Burchett’s step-by-step approach supports gradual implementation over time, and I think this is the key to helping programs walk the walk, especially with initiatives like Legacy Walls and alumni engagement events. The inclusion of worksheets and actionable strategies gives a solid foundation for athletic directors and coaches to measure progress and sustain culture, and while I admit I'd not really focused any of my energy on connection beyond the game, as a cricket coach, that is about to change. Burchett’s work is a valuable resource for those aiming to build cohesive, values-driven athletic communities through incremental, purposeful efforts. Very highly recommended.