Hibbett’s Post

Another "W" in the latest round in the fight for equity at DBG Detroit (Downtown Boxing Gym) Official. Last year, DBG applied to MacKenzie Scott's first ever #YieldGivingOpenCall through Lever for Change along with 6,353 other applicants across the US. After an exhaustive review and due diligence process led by industry experts and peer organizations, DBG was among the less than 6% of applicants awarded a grant and rated highest in the country with an elite group, resulting in an amplified donation of $2M from Scott’s team, doubling their original gift amount. We were the only youth development organization in Detroit to receive this generous award. This recent gift was announced on the heels of the National Science Foundation (NSF) 5-Year, $2M research grant to study DBG's STEM-based programming. DBG will be the only organization in the study due to the highly effective outcomes and non-traditional approach - 90% of DBG graduates are pursuing a STEM career. It's also following the recent award from the Library of Congress for the American Prize which DBG was the only US organization recognized for their literacy excellence, averaging a 5.5 reading level increase per year with students. This national recognition for a Detroit-based organization, in its infancy, highlights the extraordinary and measured impact as well as the capacity for growth. It also speaks to the visionary leadership of founder, Khali Sweeney and the remarkable team and culture that Jessica Hauser spearheads. To recognize the importance on day 1 to measure efficacy and involve the "customer" in the formation of the program makes common sense but is extremely innovative in this space. “On paper, I’m the CEO - but actually the kids are the CEOs of this company, and they run this company. I’m an employee like everyone else. Represent this brand well. Do not take this job lightly, take it seriously. Give 110%. Our CEOs deserve the best. These kids deserve the best out of you."  - Khali Sweeney, Founder & CEO DBG Detroit (Downtown Boxing Gym) Official Learn more about MacKenzie Scott’s historic gift and DBG’s expansion plans here: https://lnkd.in/gFBDsJ6S #YieldGivingOpenCall #SocialImpact #DBGDetroit #equityforall #youthdevelopment #leadership

Securing school groups to perform the National Anthem in minor league sports is nothing new; but when I was first hired by the Admirals as a sales rep, we only hosted a handful of schools each season. I saw a huge untapped market and an opportunity not only to earn commission, but a way to build fans at the grass-roots level as well. Fast forward a few years and the Admirals' "School Spirit Night" program has turned into a revenue generation and fan creation machine. Last season we hosted a school spirit night at 22 out of 25 Friday and Saturday games. This program is a win-win-win. The school can add a fun family event to their school calendar at no-cost, and in many cases, makes a profit through fundraising. The students gets to hang out with their classmates outside of school, and perform in front of thousands of people, creating a lifelong memory. The team fills seats and creates fans for life. I've found the majority of students that get to perform have never been to a hockey game before, and I've been told by teachers it’s the #1 requested event by returning students every fall. This season we aim to host 1-2 school spirit nights at every game; and here in early July we are nearly 50% of the way there! #Fansforlife #Groupsales #Gameops #Memorycreation #Schools #Events #Fevo #Fundraising #Schoolspirit

One of the unspoken aspects of today's college athletics landscape is. Where will the money come from? Here is what I am seeing around the country 1) Donor fatigue is real 2) Poaching of donors from one list to another is on the rise 3) Collective contract prohibiting athletes from making individual NIL deals. 4) Athletes are becoming entitled and demanding larger NIL payments without deliverables. My solution: *Create meaningful, valuable life skills through education. *Enable athletes to leverage their platform to enhance their value, offsetting the collective opportunities * Create tangible benefits for donors and sponsors, such as community service, to maintain their support and involvement. #DonorSupport #CommunityService #Sponsorship #CorporateSocialResponsibility REAL NIL For All from The Players NIL https://lnkd.in/g-cJXdmk

The Players NIL is the most holistic approach to NIL education available today! Our life skills program is about more than just earning money. It's about promoting a healthy and inspiring approach to utilizing the NIL platform for positive impact. Brand building comes in many forms, but giving back is one of the healthiest ways for all involved. OUR MOTTO: "How can we use athletics to better the lives of the people around us?" Our PILLAR #4 is about Community Service and Philanthropy #localbusiness, REAL #nil, #lifeskills NIL For ALL changing lives one student-athlete at a time. https://lnkd.in/erSsnd_X

BEARS DONATE (29AUG23 UPDATE): ok, /// THIS IS A NEW GRAPHIC /// so we got some data from the Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association last night and here is where we are regarding the COAST GUARD ACADEMY MEN'S LACROSSE program's "BUILDING A CHAMPIONSHIP TRADITION" fundraiser - see graphic. DONATE here ("Make a Gift" button at the bottom): https://lnkd.in/ge-xbha3 I used the GOOD, the BAD and the UGLY as our graphic theme, but - honestly - it's all pretty good news - and, hopefully, "we have not yet begun to fight" when it comes to donations. As the graphics says - THE GOOD: - THANK YOU so much to those that have DONATED their treasure to the Program! - Almost $30,000 raised to date in 2023 vs. only $12,965 at this point in 2022. - We have had 66 different donors including 41 ‘Old Bears’ – the most Alumni participation for MEN’S LACROSSE ever - how about another 59 'Old Bear' donors! THE BAD (NOT REALLY) - We have 125 days left to raise  $45K in annual donations for our Full Time Assistant Coach. (Opportunity!) - We have NOT contacted 100% of 400 Alumni. (Opportunity!) - Only 10% of our ‘Old Bear’ Alumni have contributed to the BUILDING A CHAMPIONSHIP TRADITION fundraiser. (Opportunity!)  - THU, 31Aug23 is the DAY OF GIVING – an opportunity to HELP THE CAUSE! THE UGLY (NO DONATIONS) We have zero donations from the following CGA MEN'S LACROSSE classes: - 1980s – 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89^ - 1990s – 90, 91,  - 2000s – 02, 07 - 2010s – 10, 13, 15, 16, 18 - 2020s – 21, 22 ^ = to be fair - we have yet to contact many, if any, people from the 80s classes. This is where we are - OUR FIX - but, were plotting a course toward our $75,000 goal and we can get there together.   Again, I ask that you share this post shamelessly to CAST A WIDE net - that what all the donation advice pages say - maximize AWARENESS of your cause.  Maybe we'll get lucky and Elon Musk, Bernard Arnault, Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, Larry Ellison, Larry Page, Warren Buffett, Mark Zuckerberg, Steve Ballmer, Sergey Brin or Sir Richard Branson*** will see it and decide it's a 'good cause' to support.   *** = I'm pretty sure Branson was saved by a Coast Guard helicopter when his around-the-world balloon crashed in the Pacific Ocean on 25 December 1998 - he might owe us. Please help spread the word - bug your teammates, your classmates, your friends and family AND help us reach our goal.#LEGACY #GRIT #FightOn #GreaterPurpose #Field2Fleet #Add2TheJersey #ThoseThatWoreTheJersey #DoIt4TheChildren - GO BEARS!!! U.S. Coast Guard US Coast Guard Academy U.S. Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association

With spring sports kicking off across high school, college, and the pros it’s a great time for teams and schools to find new and creative ways to drive revenue and familiarize their fan base with sponsors. Emmett Tims and Cup Carrier Media Corp. can provide custom designs, like the one below, on things you already order to drive revenue to your organization or raise brand awareness for your sponsors. Imagine a QR code, on something you already order, that immediately takes the customer to a place where they could: - donate to the program - order merchandise online - purchase tickets to future games - special deals from sponsors - and so much more Make money for your organization! You’re bound by your imagination with unique ways to get your organization or sponsors in front of fans! Reach out to Emmett Tims today! The UCLA partnerships department has been viewing my posts recently. With the upcoming spring football game, this would be a great tool to advertise: - new coaching staff - ticket schedule/move to the Big Ten - new merchandise - alumni & donations - deals from program sponsors UCLA reach out to Emmett Tims and be amazed by what cool things he and Cup Carrier Media Corp. can come up with for the program! #sponsorship #marketing #spring

Are You Related to A Youth Sports Team? Does Your Recreational League Team, Select or Club Team or Scholastic High or Middle School Team Have Fundraising Needs? Youth Sports Draft Days is here to help! Through Team Formation, we can help Your Team with Fundraising. Whether Your Team is a Recreational League Team seeking Parity or Balanced Team to drive Development or Your Team is a Select or Club Team that holds Tryouts to fill open roster spots by invitation to join. Or Your Team is a Scholastic High or Middle School Team that holds tryouts to evaluate players prior to forming their most competitive teams to represent your school. All have Player Pools from which Teams are formed. And All have Fundraising needs to support their Team for equipment and travel, etc. Youth Sports Draft Days is here to make the Team Formation process Exciting and Engaging while rewarding Organizations for their participation by making donations back to them. Our Team Formation Platform is basically FREE ($1) for The Organization to use to form their Teams. The fundraising is created by The Players and Parents of those in The Player Pools that tryout or are already related to The Team or Organization. For them to watch and participate in the Team Formation function by Drafting, they pay a fee of $5. They do this from their vested interest in the outcomes and knowing that 1/3 of the revenue generated by their participation is being donated back to their Organization as a Pre Season Fundraiser. This New and Innovative approach to Team Formation crossed with Fundraising is The New Evolution of Youth Sports Team Formation. When is Your Organization going to join Youth Sports Draft Days? "Better Hurry" because "You're On The Clock!" #youthsports #LeagueAdministration #TeamFormation #Selectball #ClubTeams #ScholasticSports

Today is PARITY LOCKER LAUNCH DAY! Read on for what it is and why we're doing it. Ask anyone watching sports and they’ll tell you - women’s sports is on the up and up. Investments are correspondingly rising - Alexis Ohanian Sr. and co paid $2M for the Angel City franchise while Sheryl Sandberg and co paid $53M for Bay City FC just 3 years later. Assuming you don’t have a spare $50M lying around 😉, today we’re bringing you a new and easy way to invest in women’s sports. We’re excited to unveil Parity Locker, an ecommerce platform enabling fans and collectors to buy game-worn gear and memorabilia directly from pro women athletes. We’re launching today with athletes from 10 sports including race car driving (Toni Breidinger's visor and gloves), soccer (Jennifer Cudjoe's game-worn Gotham City FC shirt and cleats) and rugby (Jaz Gray's hat, jersey and shorts), and much more to come in the opening weeks, from WNBA basketball to AU lacrosse. All items are signed by the athletes and coming directly from them - so you know you’re getting authentic gear, and directly supporting your favorite athletes. There's a range of price points in there too for every budget. Check it out now and start bidding at https://lnkd.in/gKqdA_Mv #womenssports #ecommercebusiness #sportsmarketing

Imagine you’re back in elementary school and your teacher gives you a math lesson with the stats on the back of hockey cards. This is one of the many initiatives we’ve spearheaded to introduce new generations into the world of hockey trading cards and collectibles. Our sole mission is to get cards into the collector's hands, no matter what it takes. We’ve done so by: 👉 Running programs and sponsorships with household brands like Tim Horton’s 👉 Giving collectors a stable, exciting environment to collect and socialize like e-Pack and Evolution and activations at major events 👉 Creating new collector guides and introduction kits to get new hobbyists up to speed on the terminology, storage, understanding what makes a card valuable, and more 👉 Staying present at all NHL events, from sponsoring the draft to All-Star Weekend – we even brought Upper Deck to the Roblox universe this year with the NHL! 👉 Working with charity organizations and youth groups like the Boys and Girls Club, donating cards, resources, and time  Now with Connor Bedard entering the NHL scene, we’re anticipating a swarm of new collectors joining the hobby world. I recently spoke with Jeremy Lee on Sports Card Live about all things collectibles, what’s to come, and what’s been happening, check out the link to the podcast in the comments. #sportsbusiness #community #innovation

One of the first things I thought about after becoming a professional athlete was how I was going to connect with my new found fans, create a brand with the image I was creating, and make an extra form of revenue. Immediately I gravitated towards T-shirts; something people could wear in support and flaunt to people who may not have a clue who I was. It was a combination between connection and advertisement. It made perfect sense. I launched my first T-shirt in 2017 and am currently still running a successful merch brand to this day in 2023 with a couple moments of revamping the product. This journey has been such a learning process; learning how to best connect with my supporters and also learning the business side of the sport. Eventually I have graduated from only selling T-shirts to also selling my jerseys from tournaments. This elevation allowed me to increase my revenue while also making a stronger connection with my supporters through the stories and links the jerseys held based on when they were worn and what was accomplished when they were worn. The opportunity as a female athlete to have people in the world support you so much that they want to own something of importance in relation to you is remarkable. The support I have received through my merch and memorabilia has been incredible and is a reason why I will never stop trying to be a good role model and the best rugby player the world has seen. Female athletes are in high demand whether that’s for their merch or memorabili or just to see them doing amazing in their sport. A lot of people out there want to support female athletes but don’t exactly know how. This is where Parity locker comes in. Parity Locker is an online platform that showcases merch and memorabilia for female athletes. Parity Locker provides connection directly between the athlete and their fan base. On the athletes' side, it is very customizable to reflect you as a person and athlete and on the fans' side it provides an opportunity to own personalized items from your favorite female athlete! If you’re a female athlete, this is an opportunity you want to take advantage of and if you’re a fan, you should run to the site to see if your favorite athlete is on there now! Let's continue to bridge the gap, increase opportunities, and show the world the power of women in sports. https://lnkd.in/gZHQpU-5 #Parity #TeamParity #WomenInSports #sponsored