Positive Athlete Minnesota

Positive Athlete Minnesota is a movement featuring high character current and former professional athletes, led by Super Bowl XL MVP and ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" champion, Hines Ward, who are established and credible role models to young athletes. Positive Athlete is an umbrella brand for all athletes who are marking a positive contribution to their communities, overcoming difficult circumstances with a positive attitude, and believe a positive attitude is essential to their success.

This is the inaugural year of Positive Athlete in Minnesota. Since the program's inception five years ago in Georgia and Western Pennsylvania, over 15,000 high school student-athletes have been nominated for Positive Athlete Awards, and over $150,000 in corporately sponsored college scholarships have been awarded. The Twins have become proud partners with Positive Athlete for the 2018 season.

Current and former professional athletes are members of this organization, and high school athletes will be invited to join based on being nominated by a coach, school administrator, parent or fan for the annual Minnesota Positive High School Athlete Awards which will take place at Target Field during pregame ceremonies.

Delta Air Lines is also an official partner and will be awarding two, $2,500 college scholarships for one male and one female high school student-athlete in the state of Minnesota who have made the school or community they live in a better place.

The Positive Athlete brand was created to remind all athletes that it's "cool to be positive." It also creates opportunities for local companies to participate in the movement.

Optimistic Attitude

Most coaches will tell you that an athlete who believes positive things will happen has a greater chance for success.

Encouraging Teammate

In every sport, teammates are going to experience some kind of failure. Positive Athletes are the first ones to encourage them.

Servant Leader

Positive Athletes do not think about being the "stars of the team." They lead through serving others first and by setting an example.

Heart for Others

Many athletes are blessed with gifts that many others are not. The Positive Athlete seeks to help the less gifted or fortunate.

Admits Imperfections

This is Positive Athlete... not Perfect Athlete. Athletes willing to admit they make mistakes gain the respect of teammates and fans.

Always Gives 100%

Not every athletic competition goes as planned, but a Positive Athlete always gives 100% no matter what the scoreboard says.

Puts Team First

There are times when personal achievement may hurt the team's goal. Positive Athletes choose their team.