The Shoes That Helped Win a State Title

At Passback, we often talk about the number of items collected, the pounds diverted from landfills, and the value of equipment redistributed. Those numbers matter—but the real impact is found in the stories behind the gear.

This spring, one coach’s email reminded us why this work is so important.

David Custis, Track and Cross Country Coach at Metro Academic and Classical High School, shared several ways donated equipment from Passback directly helped student-athletes across the St. Louis region this season.

Coach David Custis shared:

"I wanted to pass along some ways Passback helped athletes that I know this spring.

1. Midway through the season, the coach at Brentwood sent a message asking if I had size 14 triple jump shoes. I indeed did have a pair that we had put into my spike inventory and had taken from Passback when you moved warehouses earlier this year. The athlete in the size 14 shoes won the Class 2 state title in the triple jump. He scored all 38 points at the state meet, where they finished second overall.

2. In March, I saw an athlete who runs for Collegiate, who happens to go to CVPA, running in his bare feet. Because of the shoes we received from Passback, I was able to get him in shoes that fit and that he wore for the rest of the season at practice and in meets.

3. I was also able to help two other Collegiate/CVPA athletes by getting them spikes instead of them racing in non-racing shoes. One of them was in basketball shoes.

4. Lastly, we were able to use the towels donated by BodyArmor as our iced towels, and they were incredibly helpful in keeping our athletes cool at the District, Sectional, and State meets."
   

These stories are a reminder that sports equipment is never just equipment.

A pair of spikes can mean the difference between competing and sitting out. A pair of running shoes can help an athlete train with confidence. A simple towel can improve comfort and performance on one of the biggest days of the season.

Every item donated has the potential to become part of another athlete’s story.

To Coach Custis and the many coaches who help us get equipment into the hands of young athletes: thank you. To the athletes putting in the hard work every day: keep going - you're doing AMAZING. And to everyone who donates gear through Passback: this is your impact.

Systems change is a team sport.