Campus-community partnerships utilizing sport and focused on youth participants are increasingly prevalent and have demonstrated effectiveness in promoting healthy behaviors. However, the majority of research has not analyzed the nature of collaboration, and the inherent benefits and challenges, utilizing theory and focused on management implications. The two-part study examined the development of sport-based authentic adolescent leadership program utilizing the Campus Community Partnerships for Health (CCPH) authentic partnership model in a school engaged in a turnaround process. Data included field notes from a four-month period during which participant observations of school leadership meetings, school governance council meetings, parent teacher organization (PTO) meetings, individual teacher interactions, and university program meetings occurred. Study 1 called for the researchers to ask how community partners (school) examine programming and identify gaps. Results included two themes: the need to develop positive relationships between students and school staff and the need for consistency. Study 2 results focused on the development and implementation of a program intended to address the gaps identified in Study 1. Results included the following themes: the priority of clear and open communication, being relationship focused, building upon strengths and assets, and identifying meaningful outcomes and transformative experiences. Findings from the two studies can inform other campus-community partnerships about strategies to successfully develop and implement new programs in the midst of a demanding situation like a school turnaround. By adhering to the principles of an authentic partnership (CCPH, 2013), the school and university partners were able to identify, develop and implement a program that met the needs of both partners.