MLB PLAYERS TRUST INTERVIEW: NICK MONZI, CEO of LEARN FRESH

🎙 Roy Kessel – Sports Philanthropy Network welcomes Nick Monzi, CEO & Co-Founder of Learn Fresh, to discuss the impact of game-based learning in STEM education through sports. Learn Fresh’s flagship programs, NBA Math Hoops and MLB Players STEM League, help students engage with STEM concepts by leveraging basketball, baseball, and soccer as educational tools. Nick shares the incredible journey of Learn Fresh, its global impact, and how partnerships with organizations like the NBA, MLB Players Trust, and Major League Soccer have helped scale these initiatives to reach students across six continents. He also highlights the importance of sports as a learning tool and how it can break down barriers worldwide.

NICK MONZI

Nick Monzi currently serves as CEO and Co-Founder of Learn Fresh, an international education nonprofit dedicated to enhancing student’s STEM and social-emotional achievement through sports and entertainment. Since the organization’s founding, he has worked with global corporations, leading school districts, and national and regional after-school providers to develop the Learn Fresh community program model. Since its launch in Cleveland during the fall of 2013, the experience has expanded to include initiatives with 30 professional sports teams and over one million students. He has also driven the invention of four new programs, which have been funded and supported by team and league partners in North America, South America, Africa, and Australia. The organization’s work has been featured in Forbes, Education Week, The Washington Post, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and on ESPN and NBA.com.Nick earned a bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurship and Marketing Management from Syracuse University, and completed his master’s degree at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where he took an active role in growing the presence of education innovation on Harvard’s campus. He also holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where he was a finalist in the Global New Venture Challenge as a member of the London, UK cohort. Nick has presented at national conferences including SXSW EDU, ISTE, Beyond School Hours, and the NSLA National Conference.For questions about our mission and vision, contact Nick via email at nick@learnfresh.org.

LEARN FRESH

Learn Fresh is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing innovative STEM learning experiences that empower educators and inspire students. Through community, play, and rigorous exploration, Learn Fresh programs leverage students’ passion for sports and entertainment to inspire their STEM learning. By bringing students’ genuine interests into the classroom, Learn Fresh programs foster a lifelong enthusiasm for learning

WATCH THE INTERVIEW HERE

1. [00:02] Introduction – Host Roy Kessel introduces Nick Monzi from Learn Fresh at the MLB Players Trust Gala.

2. [00:29] Nick Monzi’s Background – Monzi shares his journey from music education to co-founding Learn Fresh, driven by his passion for engaging students in STEM through sports.

3. [01:29] Learn Fresh’s Approach – Explanation of how Learn Fresh incorporates game-based learning to teach STEM, with programs like NBA Math Hoops and MLB Players STEM League.

4. [01:58] Origin of Learn Fresh – Monzi discusses the founding team, including math educator Tim Shite, who created the original board games to engage students in math.

5. [02:55] Scaling and Partnerships – Insights into how Learn Fresh built credibility and trust with major sports organizations like the NBA and MLB over time.

6. [03:56] Personal Connection to the Concept – Monzi recalls learning math through baseball cards as a child, reinforcing the idea that sports can make STEM learning fun and engaging.

7. [05:27] Global Expansion – Learn Fresh operates on six continents, and Monzi shares how students worldwide respond similarly to the programs, emphasizing their universal appeal.

8. [06:53] Breaking Cultural Barriers – Discussion on how Learn Fresh fosters global unity by showing students they share common interests regardless of location.

9. [07:51] Future Goals & Community Involvement – Plans for intentional international growth and calls for local community support, including athlete partnerships.

10. [08:51] Personal Impact Statement – Monzi selects his philanthropy goal: “Creating impact for K-12 students worldwide,” emphasizing the importance of education for future generations.