Sports Management, Academics, and Recreational Training (S.M.A.R.T.) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to increase youth participation in sports and recreational activities while promoting academic development, healthier lifestyles, and social involvement. S.M.A.R.T. is dedicated to providing instructional training programs and academic enrichment projects during Out-of-School Time (OST), which are designed to help youth who attend low performing schools achieve academic and athletic success. Originally known as DCBASEBALL.org, S.M.A.R.T. was founded in 2000 to address the lack of community support for amateur baseball in most wards of Washington, DC. Initially, our only focus was to provide a stronger infrastructure for D.C. youth baseball. We concentrated on developing fields and facilities, creating year-round training programs, improving the quality of coaching, and finding uniforms and equipment. Through trial and error, we learned that the same skills that are so important to athletic success – dedication, practice and focus – were just as important in the classroom as they were on the athletic field. Consequently, we began adding sports-related academic activities to our programs, which also addressed a desperate need for academic enrichment activities that could capture student interest. In 2010, we renamed the organization to emphasize our commitment to this expanded mission. Our Goals........... • Help “under-served” youth improve academic performance in the areas of literacy, mathematics, writing, science, history, health, and social skills. • Provide physical education enrichment activities to help combat health issues among youth. • Provide athletic skills instruction/training, development, guidance and mentorship to young athletes and youth coaches. • Raise the active participation of youth on school sports teams as well as recreational sports teams. • Decrease the number of high school student-athletes who do not meet NCAA initial eligibility standards and, Advance youth awareness of entrepreneurial and workforce skills. • Develop on-going partnerships with businesses, local governments, educational organizations, advisory neighborhood commissions, and local citizens to provide resources for youth education programs, sports and recreational activities.