Theresa Sherry never planned to build a youth sports organization in the mountains—but living in Park City gave her other ideas.
She first arrived in 2010 to speak at the Utah Lacrosse Convention, never imagining the trip would reroute her life. When her organization, Tenacity Project, took over programming for a girls' club lacrosse team in 2017-2018, something clicked.
"I have personally always wanted to live in the mountains," she says, so she relocated both herself and her organization's base to Park City, traveling elsewhere only when necessary.
Tenacity Project was founded to help young people build life skills through sports, with as much emphasis on mental and emotional fitness as physical development. Lacrosse became its niche, particularly in communities where the sport is growing. "We help increase participation and also work to raise the level of play and coaching in each geography," Theresa explains. With lacrosse now sanctioned at the Utah high school level and the state's growing youth population, Park City has become a central focus.
What keeps her energized is watching the ripple effect. "It is really fun to see student athletes learn a skill, and apply it in competition," she says, noting that dozens of former players now coach themselves, passing along the same values and work ethic she instilled.
Away from the field, Theresa is outdoors with her family hiking, swimming, mountain biking, and running. She loves to unwind with books, podcasts, and laughing with her "goofy" daughters.
Theresa serves on the Board of Directors for Park City Youth Lacrosse and volunteers at Jeremy Ranch Elementary and PC Tots. Looking ahead, she's hopeful about growing conversations around affordable housing, which could widen access to sports for local kids.
Above all, she wants young people—especially girls—to reject the idea that trying hard is uncool. Tenacity Project's new t-shirts say it plainly: "Be a Try Hard."