We vs Me: The Culture Shift Changing Sports
By James Louis Roden Jr.

Team used to mean everything.
Today, it competes with everything.

What happened to the game we once knew?

There was a time when team-first values were the foundation of every great locker room. When athletes wore their jersey with pride, fought for their brothers, respected the coach, and lived by a code that said the name on the front mattered more than the name on the back. Coaches led with conviction, players bought into the process, and culture wasn’t just a buzzword—it was the playbook.

Now we’re watching something change.

From NIL deals and influencer branding to the explosion of social media, transfer portals, and stat-hunting over chemistry, We vs Me explores the deep transformation happening in youth, high school, and college sports—and what it’s costing us. Fractured locker rooms. Lost leadership. Mental health struggles. The slow death of unity, sacrifice, humility, and trust.

Veteran educator, coach, and author James Roden breaks down the cultural shift in powerful, relatable language drawn from years of experience mentoring athletes and building programs from the ground up. Blending personal insight with timeless principles, he challenges readers to take an honest look at what’s been lost, why it matters, and how we can turn the tide before it’s too late.

In this book, you’ll explore:

• The visible and invisible signs of "me culture" in modern athletics

• How social media, NIL, and personal branding are reshaping priorities

• The erosion of fundamentals, character, and team loyalty

• The silent toll on leadership, mental health, and mentorship

• Why locker room culture is more important than ever

• How parents, coaches, and mentors can align to rebuild what matters

• Real stories of teams and programs restoring the ‘we’ mentality

• A clear path forward that redefines success—not by stats, but by legacy

Whether you're a coach trying to preserve your program’s integrity, a parent raising an athlete in a world obsessed with status, or a young player wondering what it really means to lead, We vs Me is a wake-up call—and a rallying cry.

It’s time to get back to what makes sports great.

This isn’t just a book.
It’s a blueprint for a generation in need of purpose, direction, and identity in an age of distraction.

Because the game was never just about winning.

It was about who we became along the way.

Choose culture.
Choose character.
Choose team.
And leave a legacy that lasts.