Character
NO Excuses!!
Owning your choices, your effort and your future. Students leave with a simple challenge they can act on the same day.
Grades 3–12
Speaking & Leadership · Schools & Youth Organizations
Schools &
Youth Orgs
High-energy assemblies and keynotes for elementary, middle and high schools, Boys & Girls Clubs, PAL and youth sports organizations. Mike brings basketball skits, music and a message students remember long after the bell.
- Elementary
- Middle School
- High School
- Boys & Girls Clubs
- PAL
- Youth Sports Leagues
- 3×National Champion & MVP
- 3×All-American
- 3×Coach of the Year
- 500+Players at the next level
- 4,000+Athletes mentored
Meet the Speaker
Why schools book Mike
Mike Allen has spent more than 30 years with young people: as a three-time National Champion and MVP, a pro player for 7.5 years, a high school and college coach, and an athletic director. He has coached or mentored more than 4,000 student-athletes.
He speaks to students in their language. Assemblies mix basketball tricks and skits, games, an original song and two original raps with a straight-talk message on character, goals and staying in school.
- National Champion & MVP3× · Player
- All-American3× · Player
- Coach of the Year3× · HS & College
- Athletic Hall of FameStadium HS · 2025
- Featured coachSports Illustrated · ESPN
- DegreeB.S. Youth & Sports Ministry
- Graduate degreeM.A. Sports Mgmt & Leadership
Featured Messages
Featured messages for students
Every program is tailored to your grade levels, school theme and time slot.
Work Ethic
Hard Work Brings Change
Discipline, preparation and daily habits as the engine of change in the classroom, on the court and at home.
Middle & High School
Goals
Goal Setting: Can I Do That?
A hands-on look at setting goals, tracking them and bouncing back when things don’t go to plan.
All ages
Delivered with music. Mike performs an original song and two original raps as part of his messages, available on request.
Programs & Pricing
Choose your format
All travel-based engagements add travel expenses (flight and hotel). Final pricing depends on date, location and format.
School Assembly
60 minutesA full show for the whole student body, featuring sports role models who model community involvement and making a difference for others.
- Basketball skits, tricks and games
- Singing, dancing and audience participation
- A message tailored to your school’s needs
$4,500–$7,500+ travel (flight + hotel)
Student Keynote
60 minutesA focused keynote for a grade level, athletics program, leadership class or youth organization event.
- Choice of message or topic
- Customized to your theme or season
- Q&A available on request
$2,500–$5,000+ travel (flight + hotel)
Parent Night
Let’s Talk Youth SportsBring the Let’s Talk Youth Sports series to your parents and athletes: transitions, engagement and the road to high school sports.
- Live presentation with open Q&A
- In person or on Zoom
- Pairs well with a daytime assembly
CustomQuote on request
Topic Library
School & youth topic library
Choose any message below, or ask Mike to build one around your theme.
- NO Excuses!!
- Why Should I Stay in School?
- Goal Setting: Can I Do That?
- Achieving Against the Odds
- Reaching Your Highest Potential
- Staying Focused in a Busy Society
- Being a Positive Example in Your Community
- Drugs, Stay Out of My Way
- Character: Is It Worth It?
- The Life
- Making the Most of Your Tomorrow
- The Battle Nobody Wins
- Developing Winning Attitudes That Lead to Real Happiness
- Maintaining Moral Purity
Take the Message Home
Books by Mike Allen
Three books built from the same messages Mike brings to the stage. Add copies for your athletes, coaches or leadership class. Visit the store →
Coming October 2026Sports Huddle Devotional
Hard Work Brings Change
A 36-week devotional huddle for student-athletes, coaches and teams. Each week pairs scripture with lessons on discipline, endurance and character on and off the field.
"For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow." James 1:3
Print $19.99 · Ships October 2026Digital PDF $19.99 · Delivered October 2026
Coming October 2026Sports Companion Journal
Hard Work Brings Change
The companion journal to the Sports Huddle Devotional, for student-athletes, coaches and teams to write, reflect and track their growth week by week.
Use with the devotional or on its own.
Print $14.99 · Ships October 2026Digital PDF $12.99 · Delivered October 2026
Coming December 2026Devotional & Journal
Overcoming Obstacles with Praise
A year of devotions and guided journaling on keeping your faith, focus and joy through life's hardest seasons.
Foreword by Tonya Beasley
Print $36.99 · Ships December 2026Digital PDF $27.99 · Delivered December 2026Bundles for Groups & Teams
Save on sets & team packs
Print: Hard Work Brings Change Set (devotional + journal) $29.99 · Complete Collection (all 3 books) $64.99 · Team & group packs of 10, 25 and 50 save up to 30%.
Digital: PDF editions of each book are available with the Digital Download button under every book. Need 100+ copies? Email booking@mikeallensports.com.
Booking
Bring Coach Allen to your stage.
Tell us your audience, date, location and the message you’re interested in. We’ll follow up with availability and a tailored proposal.
- Organization and audience (age / size)
- Event date(s) and city
- Format and preferred message
- Budget range
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