About Coaches Powering Forward

Autism Speaks Coaches Powering Forward was created in 2014 after two NCAA coaches embarked on a mission to raise awareness of autism. Inspired by their children who were diagnosed with autism, they made a simple request to fellow coaches: Wear the Autism Speaks blue puzzle piece pin during the televised February week games. In an overwhelming response, more than 82 NCAA coaches and broadcasters took to the sidelines and airwaves throughout the week wearing the puzzle pin that first year.

By 2018, the support soared to 375 NCAA coaches wearing the pins and more than 420 schools showing their support of people with autism. Today autism affects 1 in 36 children in the U.S. and more than 70 million people worldwide.