In a press release earlier this month, Ogden City announced the launch of the Ogden Untamed Sports Academy at the recently rebuilt Marshall N. White Community Center.

“Ogden Untamed began by giving local youth access to softball, baseball, boys’ and girls’ basketball, and co-ed volleyball through leagues and tournaments,” Ogden City Communications Director Mike McBride told the Standard-Examiner in an email. “As the program grew, we recognized a key gap: affordable, structured off-season training. To close that gap, we launched the Ogden Untamed Sports Academy, a year-round pathway that delivers high-quality coaching at a fraction of typical costs, with scholarships available for Ogden residents with financial need. The Ogden Untamed Sports Academy develops the whole athlete, focusing on skill development, character building, leadership, and mental performance. This also allows those who don’t play for Ogden Untamed to participate and increase their skill level.”

He said that this is the first major initiative taken on by Ogden USA.

“This program marks the beginning of a larger effort to bring our community together through sports, recreation, and shared activities,” he said. “With strong participation already and more opportunities on the way, we see this as just the start of something bigger. Our goal is to build momentum, create lasting traditions, and expand offerings so even more people can get involved over time.”

McBride described the design of the program as the following:

• “An off-season training program for kids who want to sharpen their skills in specific sports, while still having access to multiple sports throughout the year.
• A development pathway for athletes interested in joining Untamed teams.
• A program scheduled to encourage multi-sport participation, so kids don’t have to choose one sport too soon.
• Mental performance, Leadership, and character building are some of the focuses.
• A youth development program taught by qualified coaches who have completed Coach-the-Coach instruction in youth training and mentorship. Coached High School level, and/or played collegiately”

According to the release, the offerings may be expanding in the near future.

“As the program grows, Ogden will also explore expanding the range of sports offered and building partnerships with community organizations to enhance the value of the program,” the release stated. “Potential future opportunities could include clinics and classes in nutrition, civic participation, volunteerism, leadership development, and academic support.”

McBride said there are currently 120 participants across the sports currently offered and efforts are underway to open additional spots.

He added that the newly rebuilt Marshall N. White Community Center is well-situated to handle the new program.

“The newly rebuilt Marshall N. White Community Center is well equipped to meet the challenge, offering two basketball courts, classrooms, the Lyday Field House, Indoor track, weight area, and lighted outdoor fields,” he said. “These versatile spaces make it a hub for recreation, learning, and community events.”

But the goal isn’t just to boost access to youth sports for kids in Ogden. The program has some lofty goals as well.

“This initiative is also part of a broader community goal: to raise at least one Olympian from right here in Ogden,” McBride said. “By setting that goal, the City is creating pathways and programs that give every child opportunities to grow, compete, and develop. For some, that may mean high school success, for others college opportunities — and for a few, even the Olympic stage.”

Ogden Mayor Ben Nadolski said in the release he fully believes in this goal.

“This isn’t pie-in-the-sky thinking,” he said. “What we lack is not talent, but access. Programs like Untamed and the Academy will change that, giving every kid in Ogden the chance to thrive, to compete, and to dream big.”

He added the Untamed program is a unique opportunity for the city and its global ambitions.

“Ogden is an Olympic host community, and we don’t have to do things the way everyone else does,” he said. “We are Ogden USA — and that is why this new program proudly carries the name Untamed Sports Academy. We are a world-class city with world-class kids and families. And our people deserve access to opportunities to invest in themselves in ways that no other community is offering.”