Welcome to Find A Way Athletics LLC

Empower. Overcome. Find A Way.

Founder & CEO BIO

Markel Leonard is a former Division I athlete at Cal Poly SLO and Division III collegiate athlete at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. Born and raised in Richmond, CA, in the Bay Area, Markel was a four-year varsity Basketball Player at Salesian High School, where he helped the Pride win 4 League titles, 3 North Coast Section Titles, 2 Northern California Championships, and 1 California State Championship. In 2012, Leonard was a key piece in Salesian’s national ranking as they were the #10 team in the country during their State Championship winning season in 2012.

At Cal Poly SLO, Markel was a part of the university’s first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in school history after winning the Big West Conference Championship in 2014. Leonard then went on to Play DIII Basketball at Lewis & Clark College. He forged the opportunity to play professional Basketball to obtain his Master’s Degree in Sports Law & Business from Arizona State in 2019.

Since then, Leonard has worked for the NCAA in the Men’s Basketball
Department planning the NCAA March Madness Basketball Tournament, The Los Angeles Rams Football Club, and the Pac-12 Conference. With many connections to NBA Executives, NBA Coaches & Players, DI, DII & DIII Coaches & Players, and local Arizona High School coaches, Markel created Find A Way Athletics to educate, provide resources and opportunities, and to help parents and their children navigate youth basketball on and off of the court.

Since 2016, Markel has been working with youth all over the West Coast, doing individual skills training and coaching AAU. Leonard is a servant leader whose mission is to empower greatness in everyone and to show parents and their children how to use basketball as a tool to enhance their lives to become better athletes and, more importantly, better human beings.
Empowering the Next Generation

At Find A Way Athletics, we go beyond just building exceptional basketball players. Our comprehensive programs, featuring annual youth camps, life skills seminars, film analysis, and dedicated basketball training, are designed to cultivate well-rounded, successful individuals. Led by a team of experienced professionals and former athletes, we empower both parents and student athletes to see basketball as vehicle to enhance lives.  We focus on using basketball to develop essential skills that will lay the foundation for success, both on and off the court, long after the final buzzer sounds.

Mission Statement

Find A Way Athletics is an educational and athletics organization whose mission is to invest in young people in an environment that allows for fun and growth as individuals and athletes. We promote the mindset of always finding a way to succeed in sports and life. Through education, guidance, and empowerment, we aim to provide H.O.P.E (Helping Others Pursue Excellence) and add value to the lives of our players, parents, and communities on and off the basketball court.
Vision Statement
Our vision at Find a Way Athletics is to empower children and their parents to use basketball as a vehicle for personal growth and success. We are dedicated to instilling the fundamentals of the game of Basketball while offering educational resources that support both athletic and academic development. By emphasizing the importance of basketball as a tool for enhancing life, we aspire to cultivate confident, well-rounded individuals who become productive members of society. Our vision is to ensure that basketball never uses our children, but rather, they use basketball to create a fulfilling and prosperous future.

Hear From Our Community

At Find A Way Athletics LLC, we're proud of the transformative experiences our athletes and their families have with us. Their stories inspire us every day and affirm our mission of Helping Others Pursue Excellence (H.O.P.E). Here are some of the voices from our community:
Joining Find A Way Athletics was one of the best decisions I've ever made. It's not just about basketball; it's about life skills, education, and really finding your way in life. I've learned so much more than I ever expected, and I'm truly grateful for the experience.
Alexis R.Student-Athlete
What sets Find A Way Athletics apart is the community. It's more than just a team; it's a family that supports you on and off the court. The connections I've made here have been incredible for my son and I, and the guidance from coaches and mentors has been a true difference-maker.
Jason B.Parent
Find A Way Athletics has been a game-changer for our family. Not only has my daughter's basketball game improved tremendously, but the educational resources for parents have been invaluable. I've learned so much about supporting her on and off the court, NCAA rules, recruiting, how to manage expectations and so much more. Markel and his team are truly invested in the whole child, and that makes all the difference.
Natalie P.Parent
Basketball was just fun before Find A Way Athletics. Now, it's fun and I'm way more confident! They teach us cool drills and plays, but they also talk about being a good teammate and never giving up. Coach always says 'Find a Way,' and it's true! I never watched film until I became apart of the Find A Way family. Thanks to Find A Way, I feel prepared for the challenges of high school basketball!
Evan D.Student-Athlete
Working with Find A Way Athletics to provide workshops has been an extraordinary experience. The commitment to not just athletic excellence but personal growth for these young athletes is something special. It's inspiring to be part of a movement that truly invests in empowering the next generation.
Nakia W.Parent
As a parent, I can't express how grateful I am for the guidance and support provided by the Find A Way Athletics team. Their programs not only helped my son improve his basketball skills but also instilled in him the values of discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. Thanks to their mentorship, he's not just becoming a better player but also a better person off the court.
Lisa M.Parent
Find A Way Athletics changed my perspective on what it means to excel in basketball. They didn't just focus on drills and techniques; they taught me the importance of mental toughness, leadership, and time management. Their workshops and training sessions helped me elevate my game to the next level while preparing me for the challenges beyond the court. I'm grateful for their unwavering support.
Donovan B.Student-Athlete
Facebook Instagram X-twitter Linkedin
Quick Links
Find A Way Athletics LLC
Copyright © 2024 , All rights reserved.