basketball, with purpose
Regulate. Relate. Rise.
At Wake & Chase Sports, we run on-site, basketball-based social-emotional learning programs for students navigating behavioral and emotional challenges.
Students practice emotional regulation, following adult direction, handling conflict, and building safe peer and adult relationships in real time through structured basketball activities. Sessions are grounded in Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), Self-Determination Theory (SDT), and the ARC framework to support autonomy, competence, and regulation through intentional culture.
We partner with therapeutic and alternative education settings across Connecticut to provide weekly, school-based programming. These sessions are meant to reduce incidents, reinforce behavioral plans, and support IEP goals related to social-emotional development, giving students repeated opportunities to practice the skills that matter on and off the court.
No program in Connecitcut combines basketball with targeted social-emotional learning for students with high behavioral and emotional needs.
So, Wake & Chase was built to fill that gap.
The program draws on expertise in social work, behavioral support, USA-certified coaching, sports psychology, and therapeutic education to create structured curriculums for students to develop regulation, social skills, and positive relationships.
Designed with guidance from experienced practitioners, Wake & Chase integrates into the school day to provide repeated, real-time practice that supports student growth and behavioral goals.
Services
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onsite Therapeutic Recreation
Weekly group basketball sessions delivered at therapeutic and alternative schools during the school day or afterschool. Structured activities designed to reinforce IEP goals, support behavioral plans, and give students repeated opportunities to practice regulation and social skills in real time. Schools receive data on student participation, incidents, and growth.
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INDIVIDUAL STUDENT INTERVENTION
Focused work with a specific student whose behavior has resisted other approaches. Structured basketball sessions designed to build regulation, trust, and pro-social skills when traditional interventions haven't worked. Schools receive progress documentation to support PPT meetings and next-step decisions.
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STAFF CONSULTATION
Guidance for school teams on integrating sport-based intervention into existing behavioral frameworks. We help staff understand how to extend the court culture into the classroom.
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PILOT PROGRAMS
6 to 8 week trials for schools to test the model, measure impact, and build buy-in before committing to ongoing programming
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FaQs
Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Use our contact form to get in touch with us directly.
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What makes Wake & Chase different from other youth sports programs?
We use basketball as a tool for behavioral intervention. Our programming is designed for students navigating emotional and behavioral challenges, delivered on-site at therapeutic and alternative schools. The goal isn't athletic skill. It’s helping students develop self-regulation, social skills, and trust, while also building the skills they need to become the best version of themselves.
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Who is Wake & Chase Sports for?
Therapeutic schools, alternative education programs, and detention centers serving students navigating emotional and behavioral challenges. We work with administrators and staff looking for new ways to reach students that traditional interventions haven't reached.
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What types of events and experiences do you offer?
On-site weekly sessions (1:1 or small group), individual student intervention for specific high-need cases, staff consultation, and pilot programs for schools ready to test the model.
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Is Wake & Chase only for basketball players?
Basketball is our primary tool, but the principles apply across sports. We lead with basketball because it requires regulation, responds to structure, and resonates with the culture and energy of these students. We welcome all skill levels.
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How much does it cost to participate?
Pricing depends on frequency, group size, and school needs. We offer pilot programs so schools can measure impact before committing to ongoing programming. Reach out to discuss what works for your setting.
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What age groups do you work with?
School-age students, typically K through 12, depending on the program. Most of our work is with elementary and middle school students in therapeutic or alternative settings.