David Watts Inspires King Community to “Walk On” With Purpose and Perseverance
Educator, consultant, and former Division I football player David Watts visited King School this week for a three-day series of presentations focused on athletics, equity, leadership, and community. Watts’ visit, organized collaboratively by the Athletics department and the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), invited students, coaches, and families to engage in meaningful discussions about the student-athlete experience.
In his presentation “Leadership, Legacy, and Living Your Values” to upper school students and faculty on Wednesday, October 8, Watts shared his personal journey from student-athlete to a successful educator.
Watts detailed how, as a walk-on athlete with no athletic scholarship at UC Berkeley, he had to work hard, taking on jobs to financially support himself while maintaining his grades and athletic commitments. Watts encouraged the audience to develop a “walk-on mindset” and noted its importance even beyond athletics.
“Each and every one of you is going to have a walk-on experience in life,” he said. “Maybe it’s defying all odds to get into a highly sought-after career, or doing everything you can while you're here to get into that highly competitive Ivy League school, or maybe it's just overcoming a challenging situation.”
Watts also introduced the concept of an “Equity Toolkit,” focused on building self-awareness, strengthening relationships, and promoting proactive actions. He emphasized the importance of resilience and positive self-talk, encouraging students to approach challenges as they work towards their goals.
“Hard work pays off,” he said, concluding his talk. “It might not pay off when you want it, but it will eventually pay off.”
Additional presentations later in the day were held for King coaches, team captains, and affinity group leaders, allowing for more nuanced discussions.
“It is our hope that this approach creates a ripple effect,” said DEIB Coordinator for Athletics Asante Robinson, who helped organize Watts’ visit. “When leaders model inclusive behaviors and conversations, it spreads through their teams, ultimately building a stronger and more inclusive school culture.”
Parents and guardians were invited to conversations with Watts focused on creating environments that foster student excellence both athletically and personally.
“Athlete Mindset: A Workshop for Athletes and Parents/Guardians Together” helped parents and students focus on cultivating environments that foster students' athletic and personal excellence. “Home-School Partnerships for Student-Athlete Success” welcomed parents to explore how identity, advocacy, and collaboration support student well-being. Both events emphasized the importance of strong relationships among athletes, coaches, and families in building a positive and equitable athletic culture.
“It is always important to provide the access and the opportunity to hear presenters like David Watts, as it helps to broaden perspectives, create more understanding and inclusive environments, and expose a wider cross section of our community to the value and impact equitable policies and practices can have,” noted Dean of Athletics Micah Hauben, adding that King’s Athletics program continues to prioritize DEIB through ongoing initiatives such as athlete leadership workshops, the Captain’s Council, and partnerships that support student health and belonging.
“Sharing my story with the entire community was a powerful experience, and one of the true highlights was having so many students stay afterward to share how deeply it resonated with them,” said Watts following his visit. “Conversations about athletics, identity, and equity don’t happen often enough, and I’m grateful to King School for creating the space for these important dialogues.”