Two girls

Fair Game Project is building a unified sports association across Omaha Public Schools and the broader community for all sports and skill levels – from recreation to elite athletes, for boys and girls, from elementary through high school to learn, compete, and grow within a connected system. We’re starting in 2026 with basketball, football, and soccer, as well as performance enhancement activities that will help students across all sports.

Fair Game Project wants kids to get off the bench and off their electronic devices to play on a team.

By connecting schools, community programs, coaches, and facilities, Fair Game Project makes sure parents, coaches, and volunteers will know where and when opportunities exist, and how to engage.

Our Mission

We’re here to create a Fair Game for ALL and close Omaha’s sports divide.

Our Vision

We envision a future where OPS students and the surrounding district community feel empowered
to succeed as athletes, students, and members
of their community.

Because when everyone gets a fair shot, we all win.

Our Values

Holistic Development

We believe everyone has a shot to be great, and that transcends athletics to building better people.

Opportunity & Exposure

We believe everyone deserves to be seen and celebrated for their talents.

Leadership & Mentorship

We are leaders and mentors who believe in building a stronger culture of leaders and mentors.

Trust & Integrity

Approaching our work with authenticity and integrity is a crucial first step to building trust and creating long-term change.

Stronger Together

There is no “savior”mindset. We can’t do this without support from—and collaboration with—the community.

No One Left Behind

We believe everyone deserves a fair shot. Every kid, every sport, every school, we want all to feel welcome.

Healthy Pride

We believe that building confidence in one’s schools, communities, and in oneself is critical to participation and retention in sports.

Lasting Impact

We work to address the root causes of sports inequity and create sustainable change, not just quick fixes or temporary solutions.
Josh Jones with a basketball

The Josh Jones Story

Josh Jones is a North Omaha native
and lifelong community advocate
whose work is rooted in lived experience, leadership, and a deep commitment
to youth development.

Growing up within the Omaha Public Schools system, Josh saw firsthand both the depth of talent and the persistent lack of coordinated resources, infrastructure, and opportunity available to young people in his community.

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Leadership

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Josh Jones

Founding Executive Director

Josh Jones is a North Omaha native, from 24th & Glory, an Omaha Public Schools graduate, and lifelong community advocate and organizer with a deep commitment to building equitable systems that support youth, families, and communities.

He is a proud graduate of Omaha Central High School, Class of 2008, and a graduate of Creighton University, Class of 2013, where he earned a bachelor's degree in public relations from the College of Arts and Sciences. 

As the Founding Executive Director of the Fair Game Project, he leads a citywide effort to unify youth sports across Omaha Public Schools and the North and South Omaha communities from elementary through high school. Josh does not view athletics as the destination, but as the vehicle. He believes sports are one of the most powerful entry points to reach young people and build structure around their potential.

His work centers on preserving pride in OPS schools and feeder systems by strengthening coaching capacity, aligning player development pathways, increasing exposure opportunities, and expanding access to safe, high-quality recreational and competitive athletic experiences that reinforce school and community identity into one ecosystem.

Above all, Josh is a devoted husband and father of two whose leadership is rooted in the values he practices at home and in his daily life. He believes strong families build strong communities, and he approaches his work with the same intentionality, protection, and vision he brings to raising his own children. His commitment to youth development is not theoretical; it is personal.

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Brian Flaherty

Director of Operations

As Director of Operations for Fair Game Project, Brian is driven by a deep passion for empowering communities and fostering youth development. In this role,  he is dedicated to closing Omaha’s sports divide by ensuring that every young athlete regardless of their zip code can access essential resources, programming, and opportunities necessary for their growth and success.  

His work centers on strategic collaboration and advocacy, partnering with local organizations to strengthen schools and neighborhoods. By investing in the communities where children already live, he strives to create lasting, positive change that supports and uplifts the next generation. 

As a Bellevue University graduate, he is deeply committed to volunteerism, serving as a former board member for Omaha Burke High School Baseball,  Open Door Mission, and as a dedicated youth baseball and basketball coach for over a decade. Brian's career reflects a steadfast belief in the power of collaboration, equity, and opportunity to transform communities and empower the next generation. 

Brian is happily married for 27 years to his wife Angie and are the proud parents of two sons. Cade is a graduate of Fort Hays State University, where he earned his Master’s degree before launching a career in professional baseball. Connor is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Accounting at the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO), preparing for a future in the financial sector. 

Board of Directors

Steve Bullock, Chair

Emily Mwaja, Advisor

Roberta Wilhelm

Clarence Nichols, Treasurer

Bruce Rasmussen

Djel Ann Brown

Shawntal Mallory, Secretary

Matt Ray

Partners

Omaha Public Schools logo