Built Different in Arizona: A Story About Leadership, Community, and the Power of Sports
When I first got an email from Owen Valadez at the Dairy Council of Arizona, I had no idea it would turn into one of the most inspiring projects Invictus has ever been part of.
Owen and his team were looking for something meaningful, not just gloves, but a symbol. They wanted to create custom football gloves for Arizona high school athletes who are built different, players who lead by example, uplift their teammates, and make a difference both on and off the field.
As the founder of Invictus Gloves, that mission resonated deeply. From the start, Invictus has stood for resilience and the courage to be yourself. So when Owen explained the Built Different Program, powered by the Dairy Council of Arizona and Shamrock Foods, I knew this collaboration was something special.
Designing Gloves That Tell a Story
Our initial exchange quickly went from logistics to creativity.
Owen shared the program’s vision and school logos. We wanted the design to reflect Arizona’s spirit; the pride and the unity that define its high school football culture.
We collaborated with Shamrock Foods to bring the idea to life of “Built Different”.
The goal wasn’t just to create gloves; it was to craft a badge of honor for student-athletes recognized for leadership, attitude, and effort.
The Arizona Trip: Built Different Comes to Life
At the end of August, I flew from Canada to Arizona, right as high school football season was about to kick off.
It was scorching hot, the kind of dry heat that makes you feel the intensity of the desert. But there was a buzz in the air, you could sense the anticipation, the passion, and the pride of high school football season returning.
Together with Owen and the Dairy Council team, we hit the road to visit some of the top programs in the state.
We stopped by Southwest Leadership Academy, Maryvale, Higley, Mountain View, and Liberty High School.
Everywhere we went, we met athletes who embodied what “Built Different” truly means, young leaders who put their teams first, who grind through adversity, and who set the tone every single day.
We met coaches who talked about their players like family, and parents who couldn’t hide the pride in their eyes.
It was great handing these gloves to the athletes.
You could see it in their reactions, the excitement, the gratitude, and the sense of belonging that came from being recognized not just for stats, but for character.
Here’s the recap video of the trip.
A Collaboration Rooted in Purpose
The Dairy Council of Arizona and Shamrock Foods have created something powerful, a program that celebrates leadership, nutrition, and community impact. All of this, on top of providing these athletes with protein chocolate milk with a branded custom fridge.
They’re showing young athletes that being built different isn’t just about strength or talent. It’s about showing up — for your teammates, your school, and your community.
For Invictus, this was more than a project.
It was a chance to connect with a new generation of athletes who share the same values that built our brand: perseverance, self-belief, and the courage to lead.
Looking Back and Ahead
That trip reminded me why I started Invictus.
To build more than gloves, to build connections, confidence, and culture with athletes.
Standing on those fields in Arizona, surrounded by athletes and educators who believe in something bigger than the game, I felt proud. Proud to see Invictus become part of their story.
Because being built different is more than a saying.
It’s a mindset, one that unites athletes from Canada to Arizona and beyond.
Karl Lavallée – Founder
