ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. — This summer, Bard College men's soccer head coach TJ Kostecky traded the sidelines of Lorenzo Ferrari Field for classrooms, training grounds, and community centers across two continents. His journey — stretching from Ukraine to Senegal — was driven by a singular mission: to use the power of sport and vision training to foster leadership, resilience, and hope.

Ukraine: Hope and Resilience in Wartime
Kostecky journeyed to Ukraine, where the stakes were higher and the context profoundly different. Invited by the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) and Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, he delivered a series of seven masterclasses for students, veterans, professors, and business leaders — all focused on "Life and Leadership."

In a nation still enduring the toll of war, Kostecky found an unbreakable spirit. His sessions explored how the mindset of an athlete — resilience, adaptability, and focus — parallels the mindset required for leadership during crisis.

"The Ukrainian people have unshakable faith in their victory," he reflected. "They are planning for a successful future. People radiate goodness, empathy, and a deep feeling of hope, love, and life."

At UCU, Kostecky's workshops sparked conversations about how sport can sustain morale, foster unity, and develop critical life skills even amid adversity. "When you're engaged and involved in sport," he told one group, "you're developing leadership skills — how to deal with struggle and keep the mind clear."

The visit also strengthened ties between Bard College and Ukrainian institutions. Since Russia's full-scale invasion, Bard has welcomed and supported more than 50 Ukrainian undergraduate students and Kostecky's presence reinforced that bridge of solidarity through education and sport.

"I return from Ukraine more hopeful than ever. The people I met radiate love, resilience, and an unshakable belief in their future. They are not just surviving, they are innovating, leading, and crafting a new narrative of nationhood built on dignity, courage, and vision. Our role now is to walk beside them, to see what they see, to listen, and to help build what comes next. I look forward to returning soon."

Senegal: Teaching Vision Through the Beautiful Game
In Senegal, Kostecky partnered with local organizations to empower young athletes and community coaches through the principles of his Vision Training for Life program — a system designed to enhance awareness, decision-making, and connection on and off the field.

Over several days of clinics and workshops, he led sessions that combined soccer drills with leadership exercises, encouraging players to "see more, decide better, and act with purpose." Through games and group discussions, participants explored how the lessons of sport mirror those of life: adaptability, teamwork, and the ability to grow through challenge.

"Everyone I've met gives me hope that their good work will help make our world a better place…we engaged in a meaningful exchange of personal experiences that have profoundly shaped our lives," Kostecky said. "Transformative leadership is grounded in the courage to be vulnerable and the capacity to lead with empathy."

In rural and urban communities alike, his work centered on inclusion and empowerment. Children from different backgrounds shared the pitch, while local coaches learned how to apply cognitive and emotional awareness techniques in their own teams.

One of the highlights of his Senegal trip was a leadership workshop at the U.S. Embassy in Dakar, where Kostecky collaborated with embassy officials and local youth leaders. The program emphasized how sport can serve as a unifying force in civic engagement, empowering young people to find purpose and agency in their communities. Furthermore, the workshops fostered deep human connection through shared values of empathy, authenticity, and leadership. This people-centered diplomacy contributes to long-term mutual understanding between Senegalese and American communities. 

His visit reflected Bard's broader commitment to global education and exchange — demonstrating how athletics, when approached with vision and empathy, can inspire transformation across borders. By connecting with youth and leaders in Senegal, Kostecky not only shared his coaching philosophy but also strengthened cross-cultural dialogue rooted in respect, learning, and shared humanity.

Connecting Continents, Inspiring Change
Whether under the sun of Dakar or amid the resilience of Lviv, Kostecky's summer work reflected his lifelong philosophy: that athletics can shape not only better players, but better people. His Vision Training for Life approach — teaching awareness, focus, and leadership through perceptual learning — transcends language and culture.

Across two countries marked by different challenges — one growing its youth programs, the other rebuilding amid conflict — Kostecky's message resonated the same: sport as a force for connection, courage, and community.