About
Upward Sports offers programs in basketball, soccer, cheerleading, volleyball, flag football, baseball, softball, and Upward Pickleball. The program also includes a sports ministry focus that connects these activities with its stated mission.
Upward Sports was founded in 1995 out of a church in Spartanburg, South Carolina, by Caz McCaslin. Its mission is promoting the discovery of Jesus through sports. The organization partners with churches to leverage sports in their community and to help churches use sports to engage their local communities with the gospel. Upward Sports experiences are described as engaging the whole athlete – mind, body, spirit, and soul – and co-creating new and different play experiences with church partners to welcome and reach all children. The organization supports churches with strategic consulting, logistics, materials, and spiritual support, and today there are over 2,000 Upward sports experiences across the U.S. serving hundreds of thousands of young athletes.
Upward Sports is a 501(c)(3) non-profit ministry that complies with the membership standards of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), and Forvis Mazars conducts audits to provide transparency to the public and ensure that financial practices and internal controls hold the organization accountable.
Partners describe Upward Sports as unifying and a way to connect with their communities, noting that it offers resources and support to organize leagues and that it is a unique experience for youth in their communities. Testimonials from partners in Cairo, IL; Sikeston, MO; Billings, MT; and Wheatfield, IN highlight their experiences with basketball events, ministry opportunities, league organization support, and involvement with the next generation through the program.
Last updated May 14, 2026.
Upward Sports was founded in 1995 out of a church in Spartanburg, South Carolina, by Caz McCaslin. Its mission is promoting the discovery of Jesus through sports. The organization partners with churches to leverage sports in their community and to help churches use sports to engage their local communities with the gospel. Upward Sports experiences are described as engaging the whole athlete – mind, body, spirit, and soul – and co-creating new and different play experiences with church partners to welcome and reach all children. The organization supports churches with strategic consulting, logistics, materials, and spiritual support, and today there are over 2,000 Upward sports experiences across the U.S. serving hundreds of thousands of young athletes.
Upward Sports is a 501(c)(3) non-profit ministry that complies with the membership standards of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), and Forvis Mazars conducts audits to provide transparency to the public and ensure that financial practices and internal controls hold the organization accountable.
Partners describe Upward Sports as unifying and a way to connect with their communities, noting that it offers resources and support to organize leagues and that it is a unique experience for youth in their communities. Testimonials from partners in Cairo, IL; Sikeston, MO; Billings, MT; and Wheatfield, IN highlight their experiences with basketball events, ministry opportunities, league organization support, and involvement with the next generation through the program.
Last updated May 14, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.