Milbank Native and Alabama Head Coach Kalen DeBoer to Headline Youth Sports Summit at Sanford Pentagon This July
June 12, 2025 – Sioux Falls, SD — In an exciting development for South Dakota’s sports community, Kalen DeBoer, head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide football program and Milbank native, is set to return to his home state this July to speak at the Sanford Youth Sports Summit hosted at the Sanford Pentagon.
The event, scheduled for July 18, 2025, will gather coaches, athletes, parents, and sports development leaders from across the Midwest to explore the evolving landscape of youth athletics. DeBoer, a respected figure in college football and one of the sport’s most progressive minds, will serve as the keynote speaker — a full-circle moment for the former University of Sioux Falls head coach turned SEC powerhouse leader.
🗣️ Topics of Discussion
Coach DeBoer’s address will center on “The Future of Youth Sports: Development, Opportunity & Integrity.” He is expected to share personal stories from his rise through the coaching ranks, offer guidance on fostering mental and physical development in young athletes, and highlight the growing importance of mentorship in competitive youth environments.
> “Athletics taught me discipline, accountability, and how to work with people toward a common goal,” DeBoer said in a pre-event release. “This is about more than just sports — it’s about shaping character and building a foundation for life.”
🔍 Why It Matters
As concerns around burnout, over-specialization, and access inequity in youth sports grow nationwide, DeBoer’s insights offer valuable perspective from both grassroots and elite levels. His presence also signals the rising influence of Midwestern voices in shaping national athletic conversations.
Organizers hope his story — from a small-town South Dakota athlete to the top of the college football world — inspires a new generation of young athletes, coaches, and community leaders to build youth sports programs rooted in excellence, opportunity, and inclusivity.
📅 Event Details
Event: Sanford Youth Sports Summit
Date: July 18, 2025
Location: Sanford Pentagon, Sioux Falls, SD
Keynote Speaker: Kalen DeBoer
Open To: Coaches, athletes, parents, educators, and the public (registration required)
Panel discussions, breakout sessions, and networking events will follow DeBoer’s keynote, with topics ranging from injury prevention and mental health to college recruitment and the evolving role of technology in youth sports.
👏 A Hometown Hero Returns
Kalen DeBoer’s return to South Dakota is more than symbolic — it’s a testament to the power of small-town beginnings and the role communities play in nurturing future leaders.
> “You never forget where you come from,” DeBoer said. “If I can help shape the next generation of athletes, coaches, or even just better people — that’s a win bigger than football.”
—
#KalenDeBoer #YouthSportsSummit #SanfordPentagon #SouthDakotaPride #FutureOfSports
