Strength in Community: OLC’s 2025 Summer Ambassadors

This summer we witnessed something powerful: 20 high school players and OLC alumni that are currently in college stepping up to lead and inspire younger players while giving us a glimpse at the next generation of coaches. Our 6th annual Summer Ambassador Program brought together OLC high school players, coaches, and community supporters in partnership with AIM High and Oakland Parks and Rec across our city to share their love of the game.

Together, these 20 Ambassadors trained as coaches and role models, leading lacrosse programs across 21 different summer sites and reaching over 1,000 middle and elementary school students. Beyond the field, Ambassadors also took part in professional development sessions that stretched far beyond lacrosse, exploring topics like financial literacy, off-the-field leadership skills, and mentorship. With the guidance of program coordinators, each Ambassador learned what it means not just to play, but to teach, mentor, and carry OLC’s values into the wider community.

"This group of Summer Ambassadors was the most close knit yet! The mix of returning leadership and younger students ready to learn, collaborate and work created a group that was eager and excited to spread the sport of lacrosse across Oakland. It was awesome to see the older ambassadors supporting their peers and the younger coaches grow into confident facilitators over the summer." - Hayden, OLC Program Manager

This program is possible thanks to the coaches who showed up every day with love and belief in Oakland youth, and because of our partners at AIM High and Oakland Parks and Rec who opened the doors to so many sites across the city. To every Summer Ambassador, thank you for taking a brave and bold leap into a leadership role, growing your own skills while showing up day after day to support others.  To every program partner and supporter, thank you for being the sideline champions making it possible for our youth to grow and thrive as Summer Ambassadors. 

And this is just the beginning. The skills Ambassadors built this summer don’t end here. They’re carrying these transferrable skills back to their OLC high school teams, where they’ll lead their teams, and into their daily lives, from afterschool jobs to family responsibilities and beyond. Wait for the ripple effect—we can’t wait to see the impact this crew will have in the school year ahead.