Testimonials

2011 WSAG & WYPS   •   Past WSAG/Institute Speakers   •   Past Scholar-Athlete Games Participants

2011 World Scholar-Athlete Games & World Youth Peace Summit

"It was amazing to meet so many like-minded student-athletes and attend seminars with such inspiring instructors and speakers. Thank you for creating the Games and Peace Summit and providing me and other students from around the world with this wonderful experience."
- Spencer Couch

"I just wanted to let you know how much I truly appreciated the Games and how it impacted my life. Not only was I able to grow as a person but my views and outlooks on worldwide problems have changed as well and I am happy that the WSAG were able to help open my eyes. Now that I have had such an experience I know that I will be capable of making a difference not only in my community but all over the world. This past week was life changing...an amazing opportunity."
- Marissa Curbelo

"Both my teaching and overall volunteering experiences at the WSAG/World Youth Peace Summit were life changing for me both personally and professionally.  The vision speaks to my heart."
- Dr. Cathleen M. Greene, A Light in the Distance, LLC

"I will be forever grateful to you for the experience the World Scholar-Athlete Games gave me this summer."
- Conor Burns

"My son had the wonderful opportunity to attend the World Scholar-Athlete Games and World Youth Peace Summit. He absolutely enjoyed every minute."
- Michelle Krahn

"I want you to know how grateful I am that you gave me the opportunity to be a part of the Games and the World Youth Peace Summit. Both were truly life changing experiences that I will always keep close to my heart. The people, stories, and unique events all make up for a memory a teenage girl, such as myself, is beyond blessed to call her own. The things I learned during my time spent at WSAG are things that I remind myself of every day. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for opening this door for me because it has opened dozens more." 
- Mary Katherine Johnson

"This was one of the most moving events that I have ever been to."
- Dr. Richard Lapchick

"It has been an absolutely amazing experience for me and my daughter. I gained so much more than I gave."
- Dr. Eileen Angelini

"This past week has been the best experience of my life; it has changed me as a person, inside and out. It helped me realize that even as one teenager, I can make a difference and contribute to peace, something I had never recognized was possible before as a single person. The speeches were inspirational and incredible, and I have been given opportunities because of these Games that I would not have had if I had not been honored to attend."
- Hannah Fasano

"Thank you for all your help with getting our students into the Peace Summit. They had just a phenomenal time! To end the year with such an amazing experience for our student leaders was what we needed in so many ways."
- Barbara Greenbaum

 "It was awesome to see so many youth alive and engaged with issues bigger than themselves.  It was also great to see sport being used in such a powerful way – as a vehicle for peace. And thank you for making it a priority to have the Voices of Women panel."
- Joslyn Dalton, ESPN

"I admire what you are doing, even more now that I have had a taste of it. Many, many thanks for this marvelous work!"
- Bill Drayton, Chair, Ashoka

"I am eager to reconnect to all things related to what you are doing to carry on your vision of peacemaking."
- Brad Corrigan, Member of the band Dispatch (Dispatch performed at the 2011 World Scholar-Athlete Games) 

"I believe that all of us in education ought to be directing our attention to this effort you have inspired!!"
-Bessie Speers, Head of School, The Ethel Walker School

 "It was the best experience of all my life."
- Josefina Vicari

"The experiences were incredible. Having the opportunity to meet various people from around the world, who share similar interests and goals as myself, was exciting. I am now more aware of how important the world centered on peace truly is, and the large impact it can have on peoples' lives."  
- PJ Schwalm

"It was such an honor and a pleasure to attend the World Scholar-Athlete Games and World Youth Peace Summit. I am now inspired to become more of a leader at school and in my community. The experience has left me with many great memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life."  
- Jonel Williams

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Past World Scholar-Athlete Games/Institute Speakers

"Extraordinary! I wish there had been a World Scholar-Athlete Games in my youth."
- President Bill Clinton, keynote speaker, 2006 World Scholar-Athlete Games

"Dan Doyle and his team are on a historic mission to world peace. This is one of the most compelling peace initiatives I have seen in years."
- General Colin Powell

"I know of no organization that does more to help young children on a worldwide basis than the Institute for International Sport."
- Senator George Mitchell

"This inspired idea will have a tremendous impact on world peace for generations to come." 
- Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel, at the press conference announcing the World Youth Peace Summit

"I am extremely excited to be part of this initiative. This is a remarkable concept that will endure, and have a very favorable impact on the participants and even on international relations.  I look at Dan Doyle's idea as having the same potential as the International Special Olympics, which have become such a staple of what is good about sport. The World Scholar-Athlete Games will be looked upon in the same vein."
- Senator Bill Bradley, at a 1992 Washington, DC press conference to announce the creation of the World Scholar-Athlete Games

"The Scholar-Athlete Games is one of the most impressive and remarkable gatherings of young people I have ever witnessed."
- Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, keynote speaker, 2003 U.S. Scholar-Athlete Games

"Two decades ago this was only an idea and now to see what it has become, nationally and internationally - well it’s very impressive.  I heartily applaud Dan Doyle for his vision and tenacity."
- George Steinbrenner, in a letter to Institute Board member Michael Cleary

"We may have just witnessed the finest youth event in history." 
- Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch at the 2006 closing ceremonies.  (Attorney General Lynch served as co-chair of the World Scholar-Athlete Games Rhode Island Executive Committee)

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Past Scholar-Athlete Games Participants

"It was an event which opened my eyes to the world in which I lived in and the events happening within it. I was amazed at how uninformed I was, but soon found myself in the company of amazing friends who made the realization process a whole lot warmer. Even if I never have the chance to see them all again, their personalities have helped me change my perspective of life, and maintain an open heart to every individual and their opposing differences, which I have learned, make us all unforgettable."
- Cassie Clarke, USA

"These games have both encouraged and inspired me to broaden my view of the world around us and to become a future leader of my nation. It was an enlightening experience where I was able to improve myself in all areas of competition. Hopefully, these Games can be situated in many more areas and occur faster then [sic] every five years so that the rest of the world's children can be cultivated into positive achievers."
- Scott Kenned, Bermuda

"I have to say that the 2006 World Scholar Athlete Games was one of the greatest events I have ever attended in my lifetime. Not just because of numerous exciting activities that took place, but how people from all over the world came to work together and learn about each other in their specific activities and themes. The best part I believe was meeting a lot of people, sharing different cultures also different point of views for World peace, and of coarse [sic] making new friends."
- Dorothy Rota, USA

"I just feel honored to have been given the opportunity to get to know different people, with different beliefs and cultural backgrounds and to find that in spite of all that there is a way we all can get along and enjoy each other’s company and share knowledge amongst ourselves with respect for one another. To participate in the World Scholar-Athlete Games is a rare and humbling experience. All these wonderful people came from all over the world to share thoughts and knowledge with others. I was most inspired by everyone's attitude; I was only met with kindness and hospitality and I can never express in words how truly grateful I am for this unforgettable days I spent in Rhode Island this summer. I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank everyone at the World Scholar-Athlete Games for making this experience the best it could be."
- Stefan Johann Sigurosson, Iceland

"The World Scholar Athlete Games was inspirational, not only because of the numerous speakers but having the chance to meet other youth from around the globe; hearing first hand the different viewpoints and concerns of youth from around the world changes your viewpoint entirely. I feel that when I left I took the diversity and unity I felt at the WSAG home with me. The entire experience has ignited a fire in me to better my communities understanding of global issues, mainly through the arts and see as much of the world as I can."
- Chelsea Murray, Canada

"The World Scholar Athlete Games was an experience that defintely [sic] changed my life. I will never forget the days that I spent in Rhode Island meeting new people and learning about new cultures. I made so many friends from so many different parts of the world and they have all left a huge impact on my life. I loved every minute of my time at the World Scholar Athlete Games and I will cherish the memories forever."
- MacKenzie Dawes, USA

"Wonderful to see and be a part of this great experience! The energy, enthusiasm and camaraderie of the participants is something the world should learn from!"
- Ellie Lupo, USA

"The most wonderful experience of my lifetime."
- Akash Dey, USA

"The greatest experience of my life."
- Nic Price, USA

"You and the wonderful group with the US Scholar-Athlete Games made a fantastic transformational impact on my wonderful daughter."
- Letter from Parent

"The 2008 United States Scholar-Athlete Games provided me with an amazing experience away from home. I had a lot of fun playing baseball with other great athletes. However, the highlight of my week was getting to know people from all over the country and even all over the world. I experienced firsthand, the great diversity of the people in the world and the many attributes that people from all over possess."
- Keith Dove, USA

"The Scholar-Athlete Games is so much more than just competing [sic], it is about making you a better leader. I’ve gained so much in just the one week I was here and I strongly encourage anyone who hasn’t experienced this to participate whenever possible and in any way possible."
- Nico Greco, USA

"The other scholars I met here are friends for life. When I broke my nose, the whole field hockey team was constantly asking me if I was OK. Through the week everyone opened up as to each other and we laughed as if we had all known each other for years. To hear a speech by Colin Powell was a once in a lifetime opportunity and by far the best speech I ever heard and will ever hear."
- Jessica Millar, USA

"I feel much more connected to my peers on both a national and international level. The USSAG have revived my excitement and belief in my generation’s future."
- Deana Davoudiasl, USA

"The 2008 United States Scholar-Athlete Games has brought unity amongst a group of young athletes and artists representing 31 different countries! I could never have imagined what a wonderful and inspiring event the Games would be. The knowledgeable and successful speakers have brought insight to and provoked critical thinking in the minds of all participants, including me."
- Courtenay Cochran, USA

"The Games are a life changing event. All future leaders, athletes, artists, and scholars should attend these Games. The best way to learn something is by actions, and the Games have acted positively on everything."
- Adam Morrison, USA

"The US Scholar-Athlete Games was more than just about athletics, it was about learning how to be a leader. One who might eventually be the leaders of the world."
- Ryan Kelley, USA

"This experience is amazing. It gives students a chance to see and meet people from all over the world. They also get to see and hear from some very successful leaders. Finally, it is a chance to be inspired to succeed and do your best."
- Collin McClain, USA

"Being at the USSAG 2008 in Kingston, Rhode Island helped me to build friendships that will sail the test of time. Thank you!"
- Darrell Palmer, USA

"The program showed me how much I have to improve. The leadership skills I have learned and the people I have met have changed my life forever. I recommend this program to anyone who wants to improve themselves."
- Valentin Neamtu, Romania

"The Games brings people together from around the world and shows them how to work together."
- Drew Cassette, USA

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