ABOUT FIGHT LIKE A NINJA: HONORING BRITTANY WITH HOPE
HOW WE BRING EVERYONE TOGETHER
At Fight Like a Ninja, we unite kids, teens, adults, and families through hockey, community events, and outreach programs. From the excitement of our annual girls hockey tournament to our healing retreats and support initiatives, we create spaces where people can connect, share, and grow together. Whether you’re lacing up your skates, attending a retreat, or simply joining us to show support, every event is designed to bring the community together in honor of Brittany.
ORIGINS OF FIGHT LIKE A NINJA
Fight Like a Ninja was founded to honor Brittany “The Ninja” Corcoran, a young athlete whose love, grace, and hope touched everyone around her. Though Brittany battled depression, she taught those who knew her to love, help, hope, and fight through the darkness. She never cared what jersey you wore — she would battle you fiercely on the ice and then hug and laugh with you afterward. To keep her spirit alive, a scholarship was created in her name, awarded annually to a South Dakota girl hockey player who demonstrates the same caring attitude, sportsmanship, and community involvement Brittany embodied. With the support of the community, Fight Like a Ninja has grown beyond hockey, expanding its mission to support families, provide mental health resources, and help loss survivors on their healing journey.
WHO WE SERVE
We serve a diverse community of individuals and families impacted by mental health challenges, grief, and loss, as well as young athletes pursuing their dreams. We provide scholarships for female high school hockey players, support for families navigating treatment, peer-to-peer grief retreats, and resources for anyone affected by suicide. Our programs are open to teens, parents, siblings, extended family, and the broader Sioux Falls community, ensuring that everyone has a place to heal, grow, and connect.
OUR TEAM
Angela Drake is the founder of Fight Like A Ninja, a Sioux Falls nonprofit dedicated to mental health awareness, suicide prevention, youth leadership, and empowering girls in hockey and beyond. After losing her daughter, Brittany “The Ninja” Corcoran, to suicide in 2016, Angela turned unimaginable grief into a movement that is changing lives across South Dakota.
What started as a girls hockey tournament in Sioux Falls has grown into a year-round nonprofit organization focused on mental health advocacy, scholarship programs, community partnerships, and starting real conversations that too many people avoid. Through the annual Fight Like A Ninja Girls Hockey Tournament, outreach initiatives, and collaborative events with local businesses and nonprofits, Angela works to ensure that young athletes and families know they are never alone in their struggles.
Angela is a passionate voice for suicide prevention and mental health education. She believes strength is not just about how hard you compete on the ice, but how bravely you speak up off of it. Her mission is simple and bold: start conversations, build connections, and remind every young person that asking for help is a form of courage.
Angela Drake
Founder | Mental Health Advocate | Community Leader | Speaker
Vice President | Mental Health Advocate | Uncle of Brittany “The Ninja” Corcoran
Jayson Drake
Jayson Drake serves as Vice President of Fight Like A Ninja, the South Dakota nonprofit committed to mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and empowering young people to start real conversations.
As Brittany “The Ninja” Corcoran’s uncle, Jayson brings both heart and steady leadership to the organization. After Brittany’s death in 2016, he joined his family in turning grief into purpose. What began as a girls hockey tournament in Sioux Falls has grown into a year-round nonprofit focused on youth leadership, scholarships, community outreach, and mental health advocacy across the region.
In his role as Vice President, Jayson supports strategic planning, board leadership, and long-term vision for Fight Like A Ninja. He works closely with the executive team to ensure the organization continues to grow sustainably while staying rooted in its mission: no one fights alone. His thoughtful perspective and collaborative leadership style help guide decisions that impact athletes, families, and community partners throughout South Dakota.
Known affectionately as Brittany’s bird-loving uncle, Jayson carries a unique connection to her spirit. Jayson believes mental health advocacy begins with courage and consistency. It means having conversations that matter. It means showing up when it counts. Through his leadership and dedication, he helps ensure Fight Like A Ninja remains a strong voice for resilience, connection, and hope in Sioux Falls and beyond.
Secretary, Fight Like A Ninja | Community Leader | Papa of Brittany “The Ninja”
Denis Drake
Denis Drake of Huron, South Dakota serves as Secretary of Fight Like A Ninja, the nonprofit organization dedicated to mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and empowering young athletes to start courageous conversations.
As Brittany “The Ninja” Corcoran’s grandfather, known lovingly as Papa, Denis carries her legacy with strength, humility, and deep commitment. After Brittany’s death in 2016, Denis stood alongside his family to transform unimaginable loss into meaningful impact. What began as a girls hockey tournament in Sioux Falls has grown into a respected South Dakota nonprofit focused on mental health advocacy, youth leadership, and community connection.
In his role as Secretary, Denis helps ensure Fight Like A Ninja operates with integrity, structure, and accountability. He supports board governance, organizational planning, and long-term sustainability efforts that allow the mission to grow responsibly. His steady leadership and thoughtful decision-making provide a strong foundation behind the scenes, allowing the organization’s programs, scholarships, and annual hockey tournament to continue expanding their reach.
Denis believes that mental health advocacy starts with presence. Showing up for family. Showing up for community. Showing up when conversations feel uncomfortable. His quiet strength reflects the heart of Fight Like A Ninja’s mission: no one fights alone.
Rooted in Huron and deeply connected to communities across South Dakota, Denis remains committed to honoring Brittany’s life by helping create safe spaces, meaningful dialogue, and real support for young people and families navigating mental health challenges.
Through his dedication and service, Denis Drake helps ensure Brittany’s legacy continues to inspire courage, connection, and compassion throughout the region.
Treasurer, Fight Like A Ninja | Financial Steward | Uncle of Brittany “The Ninja” Corcoran
Rodney Drake
Rodney Drake serves as Treasurer of Fight Like A Ninja, the South Dakota nonprofit dedicated to mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and empowering young people to start courageous conversations.
As Brittany “The Ninja” Corcoran’s uncle, Rodney has been part of the heart behind the mission from the very beginning. Following Brittany’s death in 2016, he joined his family in transforming grief into meaningful action. What began as a girls hockey tournament in Sioux Falls has grown into a respected nonprofit organization supporting youth athletes, scholarships, mental health outreach, and community partnerships across the region.
In his role as Treasurer, Rodney oversees the financial integrity and stewardship of Fight Like A Ninja. He ensures responsible budgeting, transparent reporting, and sustainable growth so the organization can continue serving families throughout Sioux Falls and South Dakota. His steady oversight allows the mission to expand while remaining grounded in accountability and trust.
Within his family, Rodney is often described as the glue of the siblings. He is the steady connector, the problem solver, the one who keeps everyone aligned when emotions run high. That same calm, dependable presence strengthens the organization’s leadership. He believes that strong families and strong communities are built on consistency, honesty, and showing up for one another.
Rodney understands that mental health advocacy is not just about events and programs. It is about long-term commitment. It is about protecting Brittany’s legacy with integrity and ensuring that every dollar raised supports meaningful impact.
Through his financial leadership and unwavering support, Rodney Drake helps ensure that Fight Like A Ninja continues to grow responsibly, serve faithfully, and remind every young person that they never have to fight alone.
Ninja Army Connector, Fight Like A Ninja | Tournament Coordinator | Youth Advocate
Amber Chan
Amber Chan serves as the Ninja Army Connector for Fight Like A Ninja, the Sioux Falls–based nonprofit dedicated to mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and empowering young athletes through connection and community.
If Fight Like A Ninja is a movement, Amber is often the one making sure all the moving pieces come together.
Amber plays a key role in organizing teams, coordinating communication, and helping plan the annual Fight Like A Ninja Girls Hockey Tournament in Sioux Falls. From team registration and logistics to volunteer coordination and behind-the-scenes details, she helps ensure the tournament runs smoothly and continues to grow each year. Her attention to detail and ability to bring people together are essential to the event’s success.
Beyond the tournament, Amber offers hands-on support across many Fight Like A Ninja programs. Whether assisting with outreach initiatives, supporting scholarship efforts, or helping execute community events focused on mental health advocacy in South Dakota, she steps in wherever needed. She understands that meaningful impact is built through consistency, organization, and strong relationships.
Amber believes that connection is one of the most powerful tools in mental health advocacy. By bringing teams together, strengthening communication, and supporting families and athletes, she helps create an environment where conversations happen naturally and no one feels alone.
Through her leadership, organization, and steady presence, Amber Chan helps power the Ninja Army forward, ensuring Fight Like A Ninja continues to build community, empower youth, and honor Brittany’s legacy with excellence and heart.
ABOUT BRITTANY
Brittany was an All-American girl with an extraordinary spirit. She was a star student, a fierce athlete, a loyal friend, a loving sister, and a bright light to everyone who knew her. She was known for her determination, her heart, and the way she inspired others to keep pushing forward with courage and resilience.
What many did not see was that Brittany was carrying a weight far heavier than anyone should ever have to bear. Even while navigating that pain, she met the world with grace and continued to care deeply for the people around her. She had a rare ability to make others feel supported, understood, and loved, even while quietly carrying struggles of her own.
Today, Brittany’s legacy lives through Fight Like A Ninja. She is the why behind the mission, the heart behind the movement, and the reminder that strength and struggle can exist side by side. Through her story, we honor her life by creating hope, building mental strength, and helping others know they never have to fight alone.
