At Moorhead High School, a unique program is taking the game of football beyond X’s and O’s to help shape the hearts and minds of today’s student-athletes and tomorrow’s leaders.
It’s called the Teiken Academy, a one-of-a-kind camp designed to help freshman football players succeed on and off the field.
Through workshops, team-building exercises and mentoring sessions, the Teiken Academy tackles critical issues such as leadership, communication, responsibility, navigating the challenges of social media, recognizing the importance of mental health, and so much more.
In its first two years, the Teiken Academy has touched more than 100 young lives, helping to foster a sense of brotherhood on and off the field while also equipping young student-athletes with the skills and tools they need to become leaders who can care for themselves, their peers and their communities.
Sparked by the vision and philanthropy of Brent and Jodell Teiken, the Teiken Academy is proof that one act of kindness can create a ripple effect of love and compassion — transforming lives in ways no one could have anticipated.
The Power of Sports
“We’ve both played a lot of sports throughout our entire lives, so we understand the impact of athletics. Participating in sports and being part of a team can impact every aspect of someone’s life — what you do, who you marry, how you parent, what your outlook is — it impacts everything,” Brent said.
When their son, Jack, began playing football at Moorhead High School, the couple learned about the challenges many of his teammates were facing.
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We saw first-hand that many kids faced obstacles that impacted their interactions and performance on the team. When talking with the coaches and other parents, we learned some didn’t have access to adequate nutrition, others needed the right equipment or simply a ride to or from practice and games.
“Initially, we were looking at how to help kids access nutrition during the season — after lifts or practice and before game day,” Brent said. “Then, we wondered about how to help with gear, transportation needs, summer training opportunities and more. We wanted to do something that would minimize the barriers that keep kids from playing.”
So the couple began talking with leadership at Sanford Health, where Brent serves on the Board of Directors, to develop a plan.
An Idea Comes to Life
“We’ve always been inspired by Denny’s giving because it’s so impactful. So as we thought about what we could do, we both decided we could have the greatest impact by giving back to something within youth sports,” Brent said.
After sharing their giving intentions with Sanford Health and the Sanford Health Foundation, the Sanford teams and Moorhead High School went to work, collaborating on a plan to bring the couple’s philanthropic vision to life through an initial gift and an endowment held at the Sanford Health Foundation.
When the idea for the Teiken Academy was presented, “I got emotional,” Brent shared. “It was an incredible idea that had the potential to make such a profound impact. It’s something that will give these kids a chance.”
For the Teikens, seeing their charitable dream come to life meant a lot.
“Both Jodell and I have worked hard and been blessed throughout our lives, so we were excited to be able to give back in this way. Our only ask was for Sanford and Moorhead High School to work together to figure out how to solve this problem. And they did just that,” Brent said. “When you have an opportunity to give, it feels good to know the place you’re giving to is listening, that your gift will be cared for, and that it will last forever.”
‘This has changed my life forever’
The Teiken Academy officially launched at Moorhead High School in 2023.
Developed specifically for incoming freshman football players, the Academy runs for one week each August and covers topics such as health and wellbeing, mental health, personal growth, communication, leadership, teamwork and more. The program also helps support gear and equipment, eliminating the financial barriers that may prevent some kids from participating.
“Whether they’re in the classroom, on the football field, or just in life, these are all essential skills they’ll need,” said Joel Vettel, head of Strategic Community Partnerships for Sanford Health. “These kids get to learn them together as a team — developing their success together and holding each other accountable to what they’ve learned as well.”
Each freshman football player is paired with a mentor who is an upperclassman on the team. The mentor pairings are designed to provide the freshmen guidance and support as they grow personally and athletically.
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What we love about it is the idea that everyone starts out at the same spot. They’re all freshmen, they’re all in the same room, they all have the same gear, they’re all set up with a buddy. And they’re all hearing these great messages.
Both Brent and Jodell are on-site throughout the week, helping to make sure the Academy runs smoothly and witnessing the impact first-hand.
“You know, the freshmen come in that first day and it’s always a little awkward and quiet because they don’t know what to expect. But as that first day goes on, you can see the kids open up and engage. From there, the level of comfort just keeps rising. They’re learning how to be good students and good teammates, they’re learning how to pull each other up and care for one another. By Friday, you can see the confidence and the camaraderie that has developed,” Brent said.
For Peter, a freshman who participated in the 2024 Teiken Academy, it was a week that that will stick with him forever.
“This experience meant a lot to me and has changed my life forever,” he said.
For those who have witnessed the Teiken Academy in action, it’s clear the program has been a game-changer.
Before practice even starts, students are forming relationships, building trust and understanding what it means to be part of something bigger than themselves — creating a strong and cohesive culture before practice even begins. More than that though, they’re applying the leadership skills they’re leaning through the Teiken Academy to all aspects of their lives, not just athletics.
For the Teikens, if the program impacts even one student, it’s all worth it.
“Not every kid is going to play on Friday night. And that’s OK. But hopefully they remember the pillars and tenants of this program and they’ll carry those forward. If even one kid who goes through this might one day say, ‘I remember that program and it made a difference for me,’ that would mean something.”
Tiffany Lawrence serves as the president for Sanford Health in Fargo and has witnessed the impact of the Teiken Academy first-hand.
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Today, health is about more than just the physical body — it’s a balance of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. So an idea like the Teiken Academy, a program that nurtures all these aspects in young student-athletes, absolutely helps pave the way for a stronger, healthier future — not just for these kids, but for our entire community.
President & CEO of Sanford Health in Fargo
“It was amazing to see the impact and excitement of the Teiken Academy. One of the most inspiring moments was seeing the kids from last year wearing their t-shirts proudly and engaging with the freshman. We are truly honored to partner with the Teiken family on this meaningful and impactful program.”
Give for Good
If you’re inspired by this story and want to make a difference, please consider a gift to the Sanford Health Foundation today. 100% of your gift will help ensure local kids right here in our community can achieve the hopeful, healthy futures they deserve.
Photos courtesy of Haney’s Photography.