Education and Schools, Free News Articles, Sports and Activities

From Classroom to Career: Two We Are G.A.M.E. Alumni Kickstart Their Professional Lives

TORRANCE, Calif. -- Graduating from college and embarking on a professional career is a rite of passage for young adults. This summer, two talented alumni from We Are G.A.M.E. have made that important leap: Bailey Wong and Hannah Walker. Their stories serve as an inspiration for aspiring student-athletes and highlight the power of education and mentorship.

Bailey Wong is a shining example of how hard work and determination can pay off. After graduating summa cum laude from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona's College of Environmental Design, Bailey's passion for urban and regional planning, social justice, and community development found the perfect outlet. She took internships at organizations like Eco Rapid Transit, where she created alignment maps, and Strategic Action for a Just Economy (SAJE), where she researched vacant public-owned properties in Los Angeles.

These internships honed her skills and enabled her to land a position as a Data Analyst and Community Engagement Coordinator at Murakawa Communications right after graduation. Now, she gets to use her degree and focus on community development every day in her new role.

Hannah Walker's journey from student-athlete to a career in marketing and communications showcases the value of pursuing your dreams. While completing her Master of Business Administration (MBA) at California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB), Hannah also worked with CSUB Athletics as a Marketing and Fan Experience Graduate Assistant. She was able to complete her bachelor's degree debt-free, thanks to a full-ride track and field scholarship, paving the way for her master's degree. Now, she's channeled her experiences into a role as the program's Communication and Marketing Specialist, where she is responsible for developing and executing marketing plans and advertising campaigns to support CSUB Athletics.

Both Bailey and Hannah have benefitted greatly from the support they received from their We Are G.A.M.E. mentors. By empowering them with the tools and skills needed to excel in the world of college athletics and academics, We Are G.A.M.E. has helped these two incredible student-athletes transition into successful careers. They have not only navigated higher education successfully but have also been set up for long-term success in their chosen fields.

Empowering the Next Generation of Student-Athletes

We Are G.A.M.E., Inc., stands for "Those Empowering Athletes by Mentoring" (T.E.A.M.), and is comprised of community members committed to supporting student-athletes. The nonprofit focuses on helping young athletes achieve their full potential, both on and off the field, by providing mentorship, support, advice, and life guidance.

By identifying student-athletes as early as ninth grade, We Are G.A.M.E. aims to positively impact their lives. The organization's mentors work with students and their parents to develop game plans that prioritize both academic excellence and athletic success. By encouraging a strong focus on education, We Are G.A.M.E. ensures that young athletes are equipped to thrive in their future careers.

To learn more about We Are G.A.M.E. and the incredible work they do for student-athletes, visit their website at https://www.wearegame.org/.

Contact information:

Allen Thigpen

wearegame3@gmail.com

800-576-0413 x 103

424-294-1248

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WeAreGAMEinc

DJ Reed on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3Ulhpa7fsc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SAGamePlan

Related link: https://www.wearegame.org/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Alliances and Partnerships, Business, Education and Schools, Free News Articles, Software, Sports and Activities

Stack Sports and Icon Source Partner to Revolutionize Sports Management and Branding

PLANO, Texas -- Stack Sports, the leading provider of sports technology, and Icon Source, a leading platform connecting athletes and brands for NIL endorsements, are excited to announce their partnership. The collaboration between the two companies will bring together their cutting-edge technology and branding solutions, allowing for a streamlined and effective approach to sports management and monetization.

Through this partnership, Icon Source will launch a high school NIL marketplace providing opportunities for high school athletes around the country that reside in the states that have guidance allowing athletes to be compensated for their NIL in high school. The program offers athletes to connect with a wide range of brands offering discounts to paid partnerships with athletes. With the Legend Program, Icon Source has helped athletes transition their on-field success to off-field opportunities, including social media campaigns, appearances, commercial photo and video shoots, and more.

"We are thrilled to partner with Stack Sports to offer athletes, brands, and sports organizations a complete solution to leverage NIL partnership opportunities," said Chase Garrett, Founder, and CEO of Icon Source. "Our platform has already helped thousands of athletes and brands build fruitful connections, and now, with Stack Sports' industry-leading technology, we can help reach more athletes wanting to launch their athletic journey and help them create a strong brand presence that connects with fans and builds lasting relationships."

The partnership between Stack Sports and Icon Source will focus on high school and college athletes, offering them a comprehensive solution for their sports management and branding needs. With this collaboration, Stack Sports and Icon Source aim to empower student-athletes to take control of their athletic journeys and build their personal brands. By providing high-quality branding solutions and cutting-edge technology, the partnership will allow student-athletes to enhance their visibility, attract college coaches and recruiters, and ultimately increase their chances of success in their athletic careers.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with Icon Source to offer a complete NIL solution for sports organizations and student-athletes," said Brandon Shangraw, SVP of Innovation at Stack Sports. "The combination of Stack Sports' industry-leading athlete solutions and Icon Source's innovative technology will provide a comprehensive platform for athletes. This partnership is a testament to our commitment to bringing the best resources to sports organizations and athletes worldwide."

Both Stack Sports and Icon Source are dedicated to transforming the sports experience and increasing participation in the industry. By combining their innovative technology and branding solutions, they aim to revolutionize how sports organizations and student-athletes manage their sports careers and build their brands. This partnership aligns with Stack Sports' mission to engage grassroots participation, provide recruiting pathways, and promote elite player development. Together with Icon Source, they will empower sports organizations and athletes around the world with the best resources to achieve their goals and make a significant impact on the industry.

About Icon Source:

Icon Source is a digital marketplace that brings agents, athletes, and brands together to leverage their NIL. The Denver-based company is the leading platform that provides brands of all sizes with direct communication to athletes and their agents, resulting in thousands of endorsement deals and millions of dollars for athletes. Its proprietary AI technology pairs athletes and brands based on social audience demographics. For additional information and to create a free account, visit https://iconsource.com/.

About Stack Sports:

With nearly 50 million users in 35 countries, Stack Sports is a global technology leader in SaaS platform offerings for the sports industry. The company provides world-class software and services to support national governing bodies, youth sports associations, leagues, clubs, parents, coaches, and athletes. Some of the largest and most prominent sports organizations including the U.S. Soccer Federation, Little League Baseball and Softball, and Pop Warner Little Scholars rely on Stack Sports technology to run and manage their organizations. Stack Sports is headquartered in Dallas and is leading the industry one team at a time focusing on four key pillars - Grassroots Engagement, Participation Growth, Recruiting Pathways, and Elite Player Development. To learn more about how Stack Sports transforms the sports experience, please visit https://stacksports.com/.

Related link: https://stacksports.com/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Advertising and Marketing, Alliances and Partnerships, Business, Free News Articles, Software, Sports and Activities

Stack Sports and LifeBrand Announce Partnership to Promote Positive Social Media Presence For Athletes In Their Sports Journey

PLANO, Texas -- Today, LifeBrand, an AI-powered Social Media Cleaning platform, and Stack Sports proudly announce their partnership to empower athletes to use social media intelligently and responsibly. Together, they will be able to help athletes and students use their online presence to their fullest potential by clearing away potentially harmful content that can affect their future success in academic, professional, and athletic arenas.

The Stack Sports ecosystem powers every aspect of sports from kids eager to learn the game to high school, college, and professional athletes. Along with athletes, Stack Sports also serves millions of parents and volunteers who dedicate their time to sports in their communities.

"Stack Sports is forward thinking and has the best interest of their users in mind," said Jemma Barbarise-Kelley, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of LifeBrand. "They understand the power, impact, and influence of social media on young people and that LifeBrand's technology can help student-athletes so that their social media can mature along with them as they continue to learn, grow, and earn new athletic opportunities."

"In addition to having a shared belief in the value of positive social media, [Stack] is a perfect partner for us because they make strategic decisions that put their athletes and students first, prioritize innovation, and foster long-term growth," added Barbarise-Kelley.

CaptainU, a self-managed recruiting software tool within the Stack Sports Ecosystem provides athletes with the best way to contact college coaches and find high-quality sports camps. This partnership allows athletes to continue their college sports recruitment journey without having to worry about potentially harmful social media posts that may impact their overall recruitability.

"We are thrilled that LifeBrand and Stack Sports can work together to help athletes navigate through what these days can often be very challenging in the digital space," said Jeff Young, CEO of Stack Sports. "At Stack Sports, our mission is to increase participation and transform the sports experience. What better way of helping our athletes achieve this than by bringing this breakthrough technology to our entire ecosystem of athletes?"

For athletes and parents looking to learn more about how to be proactive with their social media presence while pursuing college sports recruiting effectively and efficiently, set up your FREE CaptainU profile today at CaptainU.com or visit LifeBrand.life.

About LifeBrand:

LifeBrand is an AI-powered software company created to empower all social media users to reach their full potential by maintaining a meaningful digital presence. LifeBrand's user dashboard makes it simple to curate a powerful personal brand by bringing potentially unprofessional or harmful posts to users' attention; with ease, users can keep, edit, or delete questionable posts that may not represent who they are today. LifeBrand believes in social media that supports the reputation, digital footprint, and network that people want to maintain.

About CaptainU:

CaptainU empowers athletes to take their game to the next level through recruiting and discovery tools to connect with clubs, events, and colleges. More than 3.5 million high school athletes, college coaches, club coaches, and tournament directors have used CaptainU tools to network, build relationships, and build championship teams. CaptainU was founded in 2008 and now powers the recruiting journey for partners like USA Gymnastics, USRowing, and USA Cheer. To learn more about CaptainU, visit CaptainU.com.

About Stack Sports:

With nearly 50 million users in 35 countries, Stack Sports is a global technology leader in SaaS platform offerings for the sports industry. The company provides world-class software and services to support national governing bodies, youth sports associations, leagues, clubs, parents, coaches, and athletes. Some of the largest and most prominent sports organizations including the US Soccer Federation, Little League Baseball and Softball, and Pop Warner Little Scholars rely on Stack Sports technology to run and manage their organizations. Stack Sports is headquartered in Dallas and is leading the industry one team at a time focusing on four key pillars - Grassroots Engagement, Participation Growth, Recruiting Pathways, and Elite Player Development. To learn more about how Stack Sports is transforming the sports experience, please visit www.stacksports.com.

Related link: https://stacksports.com/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Education and Schools, Free News Articles, Sports and Activities

We Are G.A.M.E. Alumnus Elijah Walker Finds His Place in the United States Football League

TORRANCE, Calif. -- Elijah Walker got connected to We Are G.A.M.E in 2016 when DJ Reed - the G.A.M.E. alumnus who is now a cornerback with the New York Jets - introduced him to Blaze Bhence while he was in college. He was then introduced to Joyce Thigpen, co-founder of the nonprofit. She helped Walker develop a class schedule to move him forward in both his academic and athletic careers. Before Joyce, he said, the trajectory of his education was leading nowhere.

"We Are G.A.M.E. has played a huge role in my life in general - in sports, academically, and in my life as a whole," he said in a recent interview. From Joyce's athletic guidance to Allen Thigpen's ongoing support of this athletic career, Walker had a foundation from which to build. He reported that he doesn't remember Allen missing a single practice of his. At the same time, Karen Rogers, another integral part of the G.A.M.E. team, came alongside Walker to offer guidance.

As a whole, the G.A.M.E. team helped him develop both his athletic and academic skill sets. Their support was important because his path forward wasn't always straight.

While Walker started playing football around age eight, he didn't play through a school program until his senior year of high school. Despite a limited high school athletic career, Walker was talented enough to join the team at Cerritos College. There, he says he met amazing people, particularly his football coaches: Coaches Caines, Mazzotta, and Grosfeld.

He played for the Falcons for two years, growing his skills after a commitment following his first year to become the best safety in the nation. "I went out and I worked for it along with the people who were put in my life to help me," he says. His game transformed in his second year at Cerritos and he left that program having accomplished his goal: he was the #1 Junior College Safety recruit in the country.

That secured Walker a full-ride scholarship to Kansas State University, where he says he learned a lot of life lessons.

After college, Walker went to training camp for both the Seahawks and Redskins (now Commanders), but got signed by neither team. Despite receiving offers from the Canadian Football League (CFL), he declined them, holding firm in his belief that he would play professional football in the U.S. After two years of unpaid football in the Spring League, Walker found his spot on the U.S. Football League (USFL)'s Pittsburgh Maulers.

Meanwhile, the academic drive instilled in him through We Are G.A.M.E. held strong, and Walker is also pursuing a master's degree at KSU.

About We Are G.A.M.E.:

We are G.A.M.E., Inc. is made up of a T.E.A.M. (Those Empowering Athletes by Mentoring) of community members strongly committed to empowering student-athletes with the tools and skills needed to successfully tackle the world of college athletics. The T.E.A.M. serves a population of students in need of support, advice, and, most of all, life guidance.

* By identifying student-athletes in the ninth grade or earlier, the nonprofit aims to positively influence their lives. The mentors at We Are G.A.M.E. want to see young athletes develop to their fullest athletic potential but ensure that the students also focus on education. The mentors work with students and their parents to create a game plan to pursue academic excellence as well as athletic success.

Learn more at https://www.wearegame.org/

RELATED LINKS:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WeAreGAMEinc

DJ Reed on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3Ulhpa7fsc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SAGamePlan

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/WWe1Sfi1duc

Related link: https://www.wearegame.org/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Business, Education and Schools, Free News Articles, Sports and Activities

Two We Are G.A.M.E. Alums Graduate with Notable Degrees and Clear Paths

TORRANCE, Calif. -- Two more student-athletes who connected with We Are G.A.M.E. (Getting Athletes Mentoring and Education) have put what they learned to work. Now, their G.A.M.E. foundation has propelled them into success as they graduate with not just significant degrees, but also jobs.

Dakota Jones, a basketball player and graduate of West High School in Torrance, California, recently completed her master's degree in public health at New York University with a GPA of 3.75 and a job offer. Alyssa Charles, a softball player who attended Stockdale High School in Bakersfield, California, graduated from Menlo College in northern California with an accounting degree, a 3.96 GPA, no student loan debt, and a job. Clearly, We Are G.A.M.E. emphasized the student portion of student-athlete for these two young women, setting them on a path toward success.

Charles says that Joyce and Allen Thigpen of We Are G.A.M.E. played a critical role in helping her explore her college options, looking at everything from pros and cons to pricing. "We Are G.A.M.E. really helped my college career," she explains. And it paid, quite literally. Charles, part of the first generation in her family to graduate college, personally paid off her student loans during college. She graduates with no student debt thanks to jobs she held while pursuing her degree.

Charles's We Are G.A.M.E. involvement also helped her chart her post-college course. Allen Thigpen connected her to mentors in the accounting world. As a result, she was able to shop her options and is confidently headed in the direction of audit accounting as she grows her career. After completing two summer internships with KPMG International, one of the Big Four accounting organizations, she's joining their team full-time.

During her time at Menlo College, Charles was on the dean's list all four years. She was also:

* The manager of her softball team

* On the weightlifting team

* President of the Latinx club

* Secretary of the accounting club

* A resident assistant (RA)

* A member of the Alpha Chi and Beta Gamma Sigma honor societies

Jones had a similarly illustrious post-high school career. At Lesley University in the Boston area, where she earned her psychology degree, she was a three-year captain with two all-honors conference nominations. Not only did she finish her basketball career there with over 1,000 points, but she also set the university's single-game record with 25 rebounds.

It wasn't all basketball for Jones. She graduated with four semesters on the dean's list and secured an internship at Harvard University, where she was a research assistant in a social psychology lab. That led her to her current path. Not only did Jones complete her master's degree in public health with a concentration in social and behavioral sciences, but she also landed a job. Jones has accepted a position as a research grant specialist for the Georgetown University Medical Center.

These two women applied what they learned at We Are G.A.M.E. to not just support their sports careers after high school, but to chart their course into meaningful careers as adults, too. Both graduate with notable degrees headed straight into positions that fit their skills and interests.

About We Are G.A.M.E.:

We are G.A.M.E., Inc. is made up of a T.E.A.M. (Those Empowering Athletes by Mentoring) of community members strongly committed to empowering student-athletes with the tools and skills needed to successfully tackle the world of college athletics. The T.E.A.M. serves a population of students in need of support, advice, and, most of all, life guidance.

By identifying student-athletes in the ninth grade or earlier, the nonprofit aims to positively influence their lives. The mentors at We Are G.A.M.E. want to see young athletes develop to their fullest athletic potential but ensure that the students also focus on education. The mentors work with students and their parents to create a game plan to pursue academic excellence as well as athletic success.

Learn more at https://www.wearegame.org/

More info on Alyssa Charles: ​​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rty4yXfchc

More info on Dakota Jones: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RvtWPsr-kA&t=4s

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SAGamePlan

MULTIMEDIA:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WeAreGAMEinc

Related link: https://www.wearegame.org/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

Business, Defense and Military, Education and Schools, Free News Articles, Government, Sports and Activities

We Are G.A.M.E. Alum Haley Jones Graduates from the U.S. Air Force Academy

TORRANCE, Calif. -- On May 25, 2022, Haley Jones, one of the most distinguished We Are G.A.M.E. (Getting Athletes Mentoring and Education) alumna, graduates from the U.S. Air Force Academy (AFA), concluding her storied collegiate basketball career.

Jones's dreams of playing college basketball fell into place when she (along with her sister, Dakota) met Allen and Joyce Thigpen, the founders of We Are G.A.M.E. The Jones sisters were raised by an amazing single mother. Dakota is also graduating this May, having completed her master's degree in public health from New York University.

When she met the Thigpens, Jones was in 8th grade and the nonprofit was getting off the ground. Allen Thigpen offered to come alongside the sisters as prospective college student-athletes. That connected Jones with other students who had dreams of not just playing basketball in college, but also playing at the highest division-level possible. At the same time, the Thigpens offered access to the academic resources necessary to bring that dream to life.

Throughout high school, Jones played for the West High School Warriors in Torrance, California. During her four-year career there, she led the team to a California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section (CIF-SS) Division I title, was honored as Player of the Year for the Division, and earned the girls' basketball Player of the Year title from The Daily Breeze, a local publication.

Upon graduating high school, Jones enrolled at the Air Force Academy. Donning her jersey with the AFA Falcons was the realization of her dream of playing Division 1 (D1) basketball, something she and We Are G.A.M.E. worked toward throughout her high school education.

Fast forward to Jones's senior year, which news publications called a "dream season" for the Falcons. It started with an opener against the University of Denver. Although they trailed by 13 points at the half, the Falcons bounced back to win 79-62, thanks in part to Jones's four steals and six points.

The Falcons went on to secure a total of 19 wins overall - including 11 in the Conference - during the season, the most in school history since the team went D1 in the mid-90s. They were also invited to their first postseason tournament (the Women's National Invitational Tournament) and secured their first postseason win.

During the second round, the Falcons faced off against UCLA. Jones was the Falcons' leading scorer with 10 points and leading rebounder with 12 rebounds, marking her fifth double-double of the season. Unfortunately, the Falcons would fall to the Bruins, ending Jones's career with the AFA.

She can look back with pride, though, knowing she collected 614 rebounds during her time as a Falcon, the fifth-most of any player in the D1 era. 276 of those came during her senior year, the second-most of any player in a single season.

After graduating, Jones will begin her first duty assignment in Oklahoma. She then plans to tackle the challenge of becoming an Air Force pilot, a notable undertaking as only 7% of Air Force pilots are currently women.

About We Are G.A.M.E.:

We are G.A.M.E., Inc. is made up of a T.E.A.M. (Those Empowering Athletes by Mentoring) of community members strongly committed to empowering student-athletes with the tools and skills needed to successfully tackle the world of college athletics. The T.E.A.M. serves a population of students in need of support, advice, and, most of all, life guidance.

By identifying student-athletes in the ninth grade or earlier, the nonprofit aims to positively influence their lives. The mentors at We Are G.A.M.E. want to see young athletes develop to their fullest athletic potential but ensure that the students also focus on education. The mentors work with students and their parents to create a game plan to pursue academic excellence as well as athletic success.

Learn more at https://www.wearegame.org/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WeAreGAMEinc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SAGamePlan

Related link: https://www.wearegame.org/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved.

Alliances and Partnerships, Business, Free News Articles, Software, Sports and Activities, Travel and Tourism

Red River Athletic Conference Partners with Stack Sports to Simplify Travel

PLANO, Texas -- The Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) - with member institutions are located across a three-state region that includes Texas, Louisiana, and New Mexico today announced that it will partner with TEAMINN powered by Stack Sports.

The RRAC which promotes the education and development of students through intercollegiate athletics participation, academic achievement, and character development will partner with TEAMINN to simplify the travel experience for its members, teams, and participants. Since its inception in 1998, the RRAC has had the explicit purpose to provide a community of member institutions that share a commitment to vigorous and principled competition between teams of student-athletes who represent their colleges and universities across 9 sports.

"We're excited to align our conference and member institutions with TEAMINN," says RRAC Commissioner Tony Stigliano. "Through this partnership, our members will realize cost savings and will receive best-in-class service throughout the hotel booking process."

TEAMINN is a premier travel service that simplifies the travel experience for athletes and parents. In addition to that through their relationships, they are able to provide more complimentary rooms to organizations combined with the best rates in the industry for team travelers. These factors along with the best-in-class service that is standard at Stack Sports are why TEAMINN is the fastest-growing travel service in the industry.

"It's a great opportunity to partner with the Red River Athletic Conference and their 30,000 plus students that cheer them on annually," said Jeff Brunsberg Chief Revenue and Strategy Officer at Stack Sports. "We are proud to serve such a great organization and support the growth of their conference through TEAMINN."

About Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC)

Founded in 1998 with the explicit purpose to provide a community of member institutions that share a commitment to vigorous and principled competition between teams of student-athletes the RRAC now serves 14 schools across 9 sports in 3 sporting seasons. With over 30,000 students enrolled at its member universities, the conference has a rich tradition of competition in Texas, Louisiana, and New Mexico.

About Stack Sports

With nearly 50 million users in 35 countries, Stack Sports is a global technology leader in SaaS platform offerings for the sports industry. The company provides world-class software and services to support national governing bodies, youth sports associations, leagues, clubs, parents, coaches, and athletes. Some of the largest and most prominent sports organizations including the U.S. Soccer Federation, Little League Baseball and Softball, and Pop Warner Little Scholars rely on Stack Sports technology to run and manage their organizations. Stack Sports is headquartered in Dallas and is leading the industry one team at a time focusing on four key pillars -- Grassroots Engagement, Participation Growth, Recruiting Pathways, and Elite Player Development. To learn more about how Stack Sports is transforming the sports experience, please visit https://www.stacksports.com/.

Related link: https://stacksports.com/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved.

Business, Free News Articles, Insurance, Product Launches, Sports and Activities

Texas Firm Launches New Product to Help Support Collegiate Sports This Fall

AMARILLO, Texas -- In response to the national discussion surrounding collegiate sports, Texas-based Fairly Group and sister-company OccuNet have unveiled an insurance product which covers medical expenses for collegiate student-athletes who contract COVID, bringing a relevant solution to the intense national discussion regarding collegiate sports.

The news, first reported today on ESPN.com, is a game-changer for collegiate student athletes and the colleges and universities where they are enrolled.

"COVID-19 has taken a toll on every aspect of our lives, including our ability to play and enjoy sports," says Fairly Group CEO Alex Fairly. "We wanted to support collegiate athletes who desire to get back on the field, as well as their parents and the courageous collegiate athletic departments attempting to move forward with fall sports."

Inspired by the viral #wewanttoplay campaign created by Ohio State Quarterback Justin Fields, the policy is a solution directed at the need for NCAA schools to be able to provide financial protection for student athletes and their parents. By providing $250,000 in medical coverage for COVID illnesses, the policy helps colleges and universities shoulder the potential financial burden of serious COVID cases for student athletes in a cost-effective manner.

"When the NCAA mandated member schools be responsible for medical expenses related to COVID, we immediately began working on a solution." says Caleb Fairly, OccuNet's president. "We hope this brings a level of confidence for students and parents who send their talented young men and women off to play college sports."

The wheels were put into motion for developing this product when the Big Ten and Pac-12 initially postponed their fall 2020 football seasons. If a student athlete ends up hospitalized due to COVID-19, the financial implications to the university could be substantial and currently, all products which collegiate athletic departments purchase to cover student athletes exclude coverage for communicable disease.

Colleges and universities interested in learning about coverage details can do so at https://www.occunet.com/ .

As seen on ESPN: https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/30170060/insurance-broker-offers-covid-19-health-coverage-college-football

About Fairly Group:

Fairly Group - https://www.fairlygroup.com/ - is a risk consulting/brokerage firm advising clients throughout the United States and in over 100 countries in multiple business segments including corporate risk, human capital and benefits, and a broad array of risk consulting specialties. OccuNet (www.occunet.com) is a cost containment technology firm, which delivers industry-leading solutions which reduce the rising cost of healthcare.

MULTIMEDIA:

*VIDEO (Vimeo): https://vimeo.com/471179997

*LOGO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-1023s2p-Fairly-Group-300dpi.jpg

Related link: https://www.fairlygroup.com/

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Business, Education and Schools, Free News Articles

Money Flows to Talent: Why HBCUs Must Fight to Attract More Top Ranked Black Student-Athletes

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- In this third installment of the BWC Consulting's series, the North Carolina-based black-owned economic development firm, with a history of working with black institutions of higher learning, discusses the significance of closing the economic gap between Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Historically White Institutions (HWIs) by leveraging athletic programs.

HBCUs have struggled financially for decades. Despite their reputation for producing the largest number of black professionals, these institutions have never received the public and private financial support, or the positioning to earn revenue in ways similar to HWIs of higher education. The struggle to recruit, compete and capitalize on black athletic talent is one of many roadblocks to HBCUs addressing this persistent and lucrative financial support disparity.

"Money and capital [both] flow to winners that produce attractive outcomes," said Cedric Johnson of BWC Consulting. "If more talented young athletes choose to attend HBCUs, the dollars will continue to follow the talent, particularly if this move towards HBCUs is done in mass. Young athletes selecting HBCUs position these schools to be less reliant on the generosity of white philanthropy and their selective process for determining who gets their charity. Americans like to associate with winners, and as these athletes build winning athletic brands at HBCUs, the athletic and academic sides of these institutions will elevate."

Winning athletic programs help attract larger incoming freshmen classes, which translates into larger graduate cohorts. These larger graduate cohorts produce an alumni base that is more likely to give back due to a more favorable student-life experience, which can be directly tied to recognized athletic programs.

North Carolina A&T State University, a Greensboro, NC based HBCU, has witnessed some of its largest incoming freshman classes in recent years. These larger incoming classes have occurred during a period in which the university has won the HBCU Football National Championship three times in the last four years. This success has led to the university joining the Big South Conference, and thus leaving the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), in order to further enhance its brand and attractiveness to future recruits.

Black student-athletes have propped up white college sports teams for over 50 years. Up until the 1980s, if the NFL or NBA wanted to accumulate black talent, they went to HBCUs. Today, they go to the power five conferences. This accumulation of power and revenue via assimilation rather than integration largely explains the vast disparities seen today between the athletic programs of HBCUs and power five conferences.

This assimilation-based college athletics model creates a reality in which what is at stake for HBCUs is more significant than a championship trophy. HBCUs are innovation hubs that spur black excellence at a rate that no other institution can match. Thus, when top-tier black student-athletes decide to attend an HBCU, they have the potential to substantially transform the economic landscape of the institution and the surrounding community. They bring with them talent, revenue, and a dedicated fan-base, as well as future sports fame and prosperity.

"As an undergraduate attending a power five conference school, I was amazed at the throngs of people who embarked on campus on weekends to fill up a nearly 80,000-seat stadium," said Johnson. "My hometown was maybe 25,000 people, so seeing how a football game attracted four times the size of my hometown, was eye-opening. This is how you spur local economic activity and opportunity at scale."

With a windfall of revenue from athletic events, an academically and financially astute HBCU is better positioned to produce more successful black professionals and help eliminate the staggering wealth gap between black and white families. In 2016, a typical white family earned $171,000, nearly ten times greater than that of a black family ($17,150), according to a study conducted by the Brookings Institute.

Many sports fans seem to have accepted the belief that black student-athletes, particularly those on a trajectory to reach the pros, are better served at HWIs. Historically, these schools have offered black student-athletes accessibility and exposure to the professional ranks through heavy media coverage and availability to top sports recruiters. Both of which can lead to large financial contracts and lucrative endorsements.

Despite HWI's ability to help black student-athletes obtain professional contracts, the underlying talent lies with the athlete, and this will always be the case. It is largely the black student-athletes who bring value-add to the HWI and not the other way around. It is also largely the black student-athletes who fill the stands with dedicated fans and allow these HWIs to secure lucrative advertising and endorsement agreements with corporations. Again, money and capital both follow talent. Take away the talent and ESPN Gameday will not continue to host its show at HWIs that are not winners.

"Black athletes perfect their talents on fields and courts in urban and inner-city communities, as well as small towns throughout the country. Football and basketball players at high schools in communities of color are asked to leave their culture and community support behind to attend HWIs to pursue a professional sports career, and that doesn't seem fair," said Elmer Chisholm, partner at BWC Consulting. "Parity and equity are seen on HBCU campuses where black-student athletes are well-represented in the classroom and the field of play, including head coaches and athletic directors. It is apparent that the value of the black-student athlete at HBCUs is appreciated far beyond his or her years on campus."

Athletic programs at HWIs generate significantly more revenue each year compared to HBCU athletic programs. This outcome, in large part, is a result of most student-athletes representing HWIs money-making sports (e.g., football and basketball) are students of color. BWC believes that the misalignment between the origin of the money-making talent and the beneficiaries of the talent must be addressed to ensure long-term financial vitality at black institutions.

"Black student-athletes are responsible for the vast majority of revenue across the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), yet they are not represented equitably as students, athletic directors or head coaches," said Chisholm. "In 2019, across the NCAA, black male students made up less than four percent of the overall student body population but represented more than 50% of the football players and almost 60% of the basketball players, according to statistics from a report by the University of Southern California (USC) Race and Equity Center."

During the fall of 2019, for example, the student body at the University of Alabama (UA) was comprised of only 10% of black students. The nationally recognized football team, by comparison, consisted of approximately 56% of black players. Consider the average worth of one UA college football player to the university was $545,357, according to research by the Department of Education and a Drexel University professor.

In 2018 alone, UA's sports programs generated over $140 million in revenue for the school. This example clearly illustrates that black student-athletes who attend HWIs in the NCAA have a dollar sign on their head-one with enough zeros to change their lives, and subsequently, the quality of life at the institution they choose.

BWC's advice to help HBCUs strengthen their athletic programs and overall institutions is to build on the movement that Maker has put in play. BWC recommends that HBCUs work to increase their chances of attracting the best student-athletes by creating an aggressive recruitment strategy, attracting the best coaches and building a pipeline of younger student-athletes interested in the black college experience. The movement will require more alumni involvement and greater allocation of dollars to support leveraging these new funds to attract even greater capital to support new athletic infrastructure that will aid in the recruitment and retention of the best and brightest student-athletes. Once the young talent is secured, the path forward is clear, and the current model that benefits HWIs provides a reason to believe in the possibilities.

To view the full article, visit: https://bwcconsulting.com/part-3-of-4-money-flows-to-talent-why-hbcus-must-fight-to-attract-more-top-ranked-black-student-athletes/

To view the first installment, visit: https://bwcconsulting.com/part-1-of-4-covid-19-and-the-future-of-historically-black-colleges-universities/

To view the second installment visit: https://bwcconsulting.com/part-2-of-4-covid-19-and-the-future-of-historically-black-colleges-universities/

Related link: https://bwcconsulting.com/

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Team Rio National and Sports U announce merger to create Team Rio University

COLTS NECK, N.J. -- Team Rio National and Sports U are proud to announce a collaboration and combination of NJ's most successful grassroots basketball programs over the last decade with the creation of Team Rio University (Rio U). As an Under Armour Association sponsored program, Team Rio University is able to deliver a complete student-athlete basketball development and educational advancement program.

Players will have access and support to the finest coaches, trainers, mentors, and educators to reach their potential on the court, in the classroom, and in life.

Over the last decade, the combined programs have graduated over one hundred NCAA Division 1 scholarship athletes, seven McDonald's All Americans, and eight NBA players.

"Eight years ago we created Team Rio National because we wanted a comprehensive academic and basketball development experience for a group of passionate local players. Over the years, the formula has proven successful and we would like to extend the opportunities to more student-athletes in the tri-state area. By combining forces with Sports U, Team Rio University can extend its reach and help impact more youth players throughout the region," said Brian Klatsky, founder of Team Rio National.

Former Big East head coach and Team Rio coach, Mike Rice added "We have a tremendous amount of respect for Brian Coleman and his accomplishments with Sports U are immense. We now unite and marry the two strongest grassroots programs over the last decade in New Jersey. This is going to have a very positive impact on student-athletes in the Garden State."

Sports U founder, Brian Coleman, says "This merger is going to be a disruptor and game changer in the tri-state basketball community. I'm very excited for the future of Rio U basketball!"

Shannon Coyle, coach and director of Rio U Girls, added, "After a very successful launch of the Girls UAA circuit in 2019 and the inaugural seasons of Team Rio National girls, we are very excited to broaden our reach throughout the tri-state area with Sports U. The synergies, resources, and network that come with the combination of both boys basketball and Sports U, gives our girls an elite experience for them to maximize their potential."

Tryouts for the upcoming season start on February 29, 2020 and continue on March 7, 2020. Tryout details, location, and times, can be found at https://teamrionational.com/.

About Team Rio University:

As a 501(c)(3) organization, Team Rio University is an Under Armour sponsored program that assists student-athletes on and off the court in their pursuit of college and professional basketball. The boys and girls programs participate in the highly regarded Under Armour Association (UAA). Both the boys and girls UAA leagues generate hundreds of college coaches and scouts at their NCAA live session events to provide student-athletes a world class platform for competition and recruitment.

*LOGO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-0228s2p-team-rio-300dpi.jpg

Related link: https://teamrionational.com/

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