Sports Change Lives

The transformative power of youth athletic programs is celebrated in the latest installment of DICK'S Sporting Goods "Sports Change Lives" campaign. Directed by the Hudson Dusters of Greenpoint Pictures, the short film charts the inspirational story of Coach Donta Green and the Westinghouse Academy Bulldogs, the first recipients of The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation’s 75for75 Sports Matter Grant Program.

Inspirational and heartwarming, the film praises triumph over adversity and each person's power to make a positive difference in the world. The film opens on a shot of the rusted steel underbelly of a bridge, giving the viewer a sense of life in Homewood, Pennsylvania, which experienced a profound economic downturn after the closing of the local steel mills in the 1980s. The unvarnished look of the town is juxtaposed against the impassioned and galvanizing spirit of Coach Donta Green, who holds the reins of the football team at Westinghouse Academy. Last year, Coach Donta led the Bulldogs in an astonishing run to the State Championship after an undefeated season. Aware of the hardship players face in the community, the Coach and his staff provide belief, support, mental toughness, and structure to their lives. Beyond just a team, Coach Donta is building a family and a path of opportunity for the underserved youth of Homewood.