Since its founding in 2003 by two Smith faculty members—Sam Intrator, professor of education and child study, and Donald Siegel, professor of exercise and sport studies—Project Coach has steadily expanded its programming and number of participants. Project Coach started with a core belief that sports can act as a positive vehicle to enhance the lives of children, families and communities. The program employs elementary-aged students and teens from Holyoke and Springfield as coaches and mentors, who learn and develop their leadership and coaching skills working with Smith faculty, staff and graduate students. The participating coaches lead their own teams, in basketball, soccer and other sports.