Positive Athlete and FCA Michigan Announce Partnership to Launch the “Positive Impact Award”

Grand Rapids, MI – (August 27,2025) - Positive Athlete and FCA Michigan are proud to announce a new strategic alliance that celebrates the power of sports to shape character and impact communities. Together, the organizations will launch the Positive Impact Award, honoring one male and one female FCA student-athlete each year who embody the values of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and the seven core characteristics of being a Positive Athlete.

The Positive Impact Award recognizes student-athletes who are not only active participants in FCA but also demonstrate leadership, integrity, resilience, teamwork, and service to others both on and off the field. Recipients will be selected based on their commitment to living out FCA’s mission—to lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His church—while exemplifying Positive Athlete’s seven traits: Optimistic, Encouraging, Servant Leader, Humble, Compassionate, Resilient, and Honest.

The nomination period will run from September 8, 2025, through April 15, 2026. Both award winners will be recognized at the Positive Athlete Awards Ceremony and honored on the field prior to a Detroit Tigers home game at Comerica Park in May 2026.

“This partnership with FCA Michigan is a natural fit,” said Zack Phillips, Regional Director of Positive Athlete. “Both of our organizations believe in the ability of sports to build better people, not just better athletes. By honoring FCA athletes who live out these values daily, we are shining a light on the true spirit of sportsmanship, faith, and community.”

FCA Michigan shares this excitement about the collaboration. Matt Deiner, Michigan FCA State Director said, “The Positive Impact Award gives us an incredible opportunity to celebrate young men and women whose faith and character inspire others. These student-athletes are living examples of FCA’s mission and demonstrate how sports can be a platform for positive influence.”

The inaugural Positive Impact Award winners will be announced in May 2026, marking the beginning of an annual tradition that highlights athletes who embody the very best of FCA and Positive Athlete.

About FCA Michigan

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) is a community working to see the world transformed by Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes. FCA pursues this vision by engaging, equipping, and empowering coaches and athletes to make a difference in their communities through faith and service