Tag Archives: Football

HANG Media and Wells Fargo Kickoff Fall Fandom Festival

Second-Screen Watch Parties for NFL and HBCU Football, plus the Latin GRAMMYs, Bring Fans Face-to-Face with Celebrities and Athletes for Authentic Conversation and Celebration

NEW YORK, N.Y., Aug. 28, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Wells Fargo, the financial services leader dedicated to serving customers and their communities, and HANG Media, the award-winning fan engagement agency, are teaming up this fall to deliver a series of free virtual watch parties celebrating football and music.

Image caption: HANG Media and Wells Fargo Kickoff Fall Fandom Festival.

Launching August 30 with the Orange Blossom Classic, the initiative will run through November and give fans the chance to interact on-camera with entertainers and athletes while watching the games or shows on their own TVs. Thanks to Wells Fargo’s support, participation is free.

The partnership builds on a relationship that began with the 2021 Celebration Bowl. Since then, HANG and Wells Fargo have collaborated on dozens of interactive events, connecting tens of millions of fans with stars like Shannon Sharpe, Anthony Anderson, JB Smoove, Terrell Owens, and Chris Carter. Wells Fargo leaders have also shared insights on personal finance and careers, adding unique value for attendees.

“Our HANG watch parties not only bring the fun – they provide Wells Fargo with a uniquely personal way to thank the customers and communities who are central to our mission,” said Gigi Dixon, Wells Fargo’s Executive Vice President and Head of External Engagement. “By engaging fans where their passions live, inside the excitement of live sports and music, we’re able to forge authentic connections that go far beyond traditional sponsorships.”

FALL FANDOM EVENTS LINEUP

Saturday, August 30 – 4 PM EDT: Orange Blossom Classic Virtual Watch Party
Howard vs. Florida A&M, featuring Isaac Keys (Morehouse alumnus, former NFL player, actor), Terrence J (North Carolina A&T alumnus, Emmy-winning host and actor), and Lady Jade (radio personality, moderator).

Thursday, September 4 – 8 PM EDT: NFL Kickoff – Cowboys @ Eagles
With Vernon Davis (Super Bowl Champion), Mohamed Sanu (veteran WR), Deatrich Wise Jr. (Washington Commanders DE), and Lady Jade.

Sunday, September 28 – 1 PM EDT: Commanders @ Falcons
Vernon Davis and Mohamed Sanu reunite with fans of both teams.

Thursday, November 13 – 8 PM EST: Latin GRAMMY Awards
Hosted by three-time Emmy winner and author Gaby Natale.

Sunday, November 23 – 4:25 PM EST: Falcons @ Saints
Vernon Davis and Mohamed Sanu return to hang with fans.

PRESS CONTACT:
LeslieAnne Wade
Wade Media Management
Lwade@wademediamanagement.com

NEWS SOURCE: HANG Media

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (HANG Media), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/hang-media-and-wells-fargo-kickoff-fall-fandom-festival/

Elite 11 Partners with The GLD Shop to Showcase the Nation’s Top High School Quarterbacks with Exclusive Championship Chains

DALLAS, Texas, April 22, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Elite 11, a Stack Sports company, stands as the leading platform for spotlighting the nation’s top high school quarterbacks, are excited to announce a new partnership with The GLD Shop, the globally recognized jewelry brand celebrated for honoring winners from all walks of life – whether athletes, artists, or everyday heroes.

Image caption: Elite 11 Partners with The GLD Shop.

This dynamic partnership brings together two renowned brands united by a shared commitment to performance, prestige, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. As the official designer of the Elite 11 Chains, The GLD Shop is creating custom pieces that serve as powerful symbols of achievement for quarterbacks earning their place in the Elite 11 Finals.

“Athletes have played a key role in building the GLD Gang community from the ground up, drawn to our quality jewelry and winning mentality,” said Christian Johnston, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of The GLD Shop. “GLD has always been about celebrating those who set new standards and redefine success, whether in music, sports, fashion, or any other arena. Partnering with Elite 11 is a perfect extension of that mission, and it’s been an incredible experience creating custom pieces that symbolize the hard work, dedication, and championship mindset of these exceptional young athletes.”

Brian Stumpf, Head of Operations for Elite 11, added: “At Elite 11, we pride ourselves in providing a best-in-class experience to the QBs on and off the field and partnering with best-in-class brands in their respective categories. We couldn’t be more excited to work with The GLD Shop and bring some exclusive pieces to the most exclusive QB event in the country.”

From the biggest names in professional sports to rising stars across the globe, The GLD Shop has become the brand that represents those who put in the work to win. This collaboration with Elite 11 honors the next generation of elite athletes—quarterbacks who have earned the right to be recognized for their talent, relentless drive, and leadership on and off the field.

Each Elite 11 Chain is more than just jewelry—it’s a badge of honor, a lasting reminder of a young athlete’s journey, and a marker of the greatness still to come.

About Elite 11:

Founded in 1999 and now part of Stack AthleteX, Elite 11 is the premier quarterback event in the nation. Elite 11 event alumni include 28 of the 32 current NFL starting quarterbacks and 16 of the past 17 quarterbacks who have hoisted the Heisman Trophy. Learn more at https://www.elite11.com/.

About Stack Sports:

Stack Sports is a global technology leader in SaaS platform offerings for the sports industry, with a presence in 35 countries and nearly 50 million users. The company provides world-class software and services to support national governing bodies, youth sports associations, race directors, 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. To learn more about how Stack Sports transforms the sports experience, please visit https://stacksports.com.

About The GLD Shop

The GLD Shop is a Miami-based, international lifestyle jewelry brand specializing in both classic and customized chains, pendants, watches, and other accessories for men and women. Since 2015, GLD has been worn by A-list celebrities, including A$AP Rocky, Cardi B, Rihanna, Snoop Dogg, and world-class athletes like Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, and Paul Pogba. GLD is also an official licensing partner of the NBA, NFL, MLB, NCAA, and Marvel. To join the #GLDGang or learn more, visit www.thegldshop.com and follow GLD on Facebook (@thegldshop), TikTok (@shopGLD), Instagram (@shopGLD), YouTube (@thegldshop), and Twitter (@shopGLD).

NEWS SOURCE: Stack Sports

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Stack Sports), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/elite-11-partners-with-the-gld-shop-to-showcase-the-nations-top-high-school-quarterbacks-with-exclusive-championship-chains/

Stack Sports Teams Up with Gridiron Football to Drive the Sport of Flag Football Forward

Through Stack Sports’ easy-to-use Sports Connect platform, Gridiron Football leagues everywhere have access to an innovative suite of tools

PLANO, Texas, Dec. 23, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Stack Sports, the leading provider of sports management solutions, is excited to announce its renewed partnership with Gridiron Football, a national leader in youth non-contact football. As part of our partnership, Sports Connect will continue to serve as a preferred registration and website provider of Gridiron Football leagues across the United States.

Image caption: Sports Connect and Gridiron Football partner.

Through Stack Sports’ easy-to-use Sports Connect platform, Gridiron Football leagues everywhere have access to an innovative suite of tools that allow administrators to streamline online and mobile-first player registration processes, easily manage schedules, and improve communication channels, resulting in a more seamless experience for athletes, coaches, and parents.

Adam Abney, General Manager of Sports Connect, expressed excitement over the renewed partnership with Gridiron Football. “This partnership perfectly aligns with our mission to make youth sports more accessible and inclusive. By providing Gridiron Football leagues with our user-friendly solutions, we’re excited to empower operators to build exceptional programs and inspire young athletes of all abilities to thrive.”

Key highlights of the partnership include:

Access to Stack Sports’ comprehensive ecosystem of solutions, including industry-leading registration management, robust scheduling tools, an extensive communication hub, and more.
Access to a connected Mobile-App experience through Stack Team App and live streaming capabilities via Stack Streaming.
Committed support from Stack Sports’ team of experts, offering training and assistance to optimize Gridiron Football’s platform utilization, including Sports Connect Academy, a learning management system designed to assist and educate all Sports Connect administrators.

“At Gridiron Football, we’re committed to providing exceptional experiences for families and comprehensive development for athletes through non-contact football leagues, camps and tournaments”, said Scott Dillon, CEO of Gridiron Football. “We’re continuing our partnership with Stack Sports because it provides an efficient platform to communicate with our football community, helping us achieve those goals.”

Partnering with Gridiron Football aligns with Stack Sports’ mission of transforming the youth sports experience, and reaffirms its commitment to driving innovation and excellence within the youth sports industry.

For more information about Stack Sports and its solutions, visit: https://sportsconnect.com. To learn more about Gridiron Football, visit: https://gridironfb.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/.

About Gridiron Football:

Gridiron Football is the largest independent non-contact football organization, operating 175 leagues across the country. We bring together professionally trained coaches, officials and league organizers to provide an unrivaled football experience for all boys and girls, ages 4-17. From recreational to highly competitive, our nationally recognized 5v5 flag and 7v7 football leagues, camps and tournaments help young athletes develop on-and-off the field. For more information, visit https://gridironfb.com/.

NEWS SOURCE: Stack Sports

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/stack-sports-teams-up-with-gridiron-football-to-drive-the-sport-of-flag-football-forward/

Wells Fargo Partners with Award-Winning Online Fan-Athlete Community, HANG, to Connect HBCU Fans and Stars for The Celebration Bowl

NEW YORK, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- Wells Fargo, in partnership with the award-winning fan-athlete community, HANG, will bring a one-of-a-kind watch-party game experience to HBCU fans for the storied match-up between Howard University and Florida A&M at the Celebration Bowl on December 14, 2023. Actor and former NFL linebacker Isaac Keys (Morehouse); NFL Hall of Famer Aeneas Williams (Southern); Miami Dolphins star Terron Armstead (UAPB), Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive lineman Nick Leverett (North Carolina Central) and pro basketball player Shakyla Hill (Grambling) will be among the HBCU notables who will celebrate the HBCU experience while discussing the game with fans around the country who register for free via https://letshang.live/.

"Wells Fargo looks forward to partnering with the HANG team for the second straight year to bring a unique virtual game experience to HBCU fans during the Celebration Bowl broadcast," said Dewey Norwood, Senior Diversity and Inclusion Consultant. "We're thrilled to celebrate the two competing schools - Florida A&M University and Howard University."

"We're staging a special event with a unique partner for an extraordinary community," said Jon Klein, HANG's co‐founder and CEO and the former president of CNN/US. "Our Celebration Bowl HANG will be a virtual reunion for the entire HBCU family - personifying Wells Fargo's commitment to enriching peoples' lives."

Wells Fargo is a longtime supporter of HBCUs. Since 2011, they have given more than $40 million in scholarships and programming to HBCUs and organizations that support them. Prior to the start of the 2023 college football season Wells Fargo announced plans to expand its support to six major HBCU football classics, committing $300,000 in scholarships to the competing schools and providing financial workshops for students, alumni and fans.

About Wells Fargo:

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a leading financial services company that has approximately $1.9 trillion in assets, proudly serves one in three U.S. households and more than 10% of small businesses in the U.S., and is a leading middle market banking provider in the U.S. We provide a diversified set of banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through our four reportable operating segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth & Investment Management. Wells Fargo ranked No. 47 on Fortune's 2023 rankings of America's largest corporations. In the communities we serve, the company focuses its social impact on building a sustainable, inclusive future for all by supporting housing affordability, small business growth, financial health, and a low-carbon economy. News, insights, and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories.

Additional information may be found at https://www.wellsfargo.com/.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wellsfargo

About HANG:

Hang Media, winner of the 2023 Cynopsis Sports Award for best production innovation, is the leading celebrity‐fan community, with nearly one million views of each virtual watch party around major sports events including pro and college football, basketball, baseball, and soccer. Since HANG's founding in September 2021, over 25 million sports fans have come face to face with their idols and star athletes, performers, and influencers - while everyone watches the game on their own TV's. It's a dream come true for sports lovers, who get to have fun and frank conversations with their heroes about life on and off the field, play trivia contests, and sample products delivered by top sponsors including Toyota, Coca‐Cola, Wells Fargo, MolsonCoors, Dave & Busters, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Pernod Ricard, and others.

Join the fun at https://letshang.live - or contact LeslieAnne Wade at Lwade@wademediamanagement.com for more information.

RELATED LINKS:

https://newsroom.wf.com/English/news-releases/news-release-details/2023/Wells-Fargo-expands-support-to-six-major-HBCU-football-classics-through-scholarships-and-financial-workshops/default.aspx

https://stories.wf.com/

Wells Fargo, in partnership with the award-winning fan-athlete community, HANG, will bring a one-of-a-kind watch-party game experience to HBCU fans for the storied match-up between Howard University and Florida A&M at the Celebration Bowl on December 14, 2023. Actor and former NFL linebacker Isaac Keys (Morehouse); NFL Hall of Famer Aeneas Williams (Southern); Miami Dolphins star Terron Armstead (UAPB), Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive lineman Nick Leverett (North Carolina Central) and pro basketball player Shakyla Hill (Grambling) will be among the HBCU notables who will celebrate the HBCU experience while discussing the game with fans around the country.

Related link: https://letshang.live/

Toyota and Hang Media Partner to Offer a Grand New and Connected Way to Watch The HBCU NY Classic From MetLife Stadium

NEW YORK, N.Y /ScoopCloud/ -- Toyota, whose first‐ever 2024 Grand Highlander SUV touts "the best views from every row," will be offering fans the best viewing experience when Morehouse College faces Albany State University in the 2nd annual HBCU NY Classic football game at MetLife Stadium on Saturday, September 16. Teaming with HANG, the leading fan-athlete community, Toyota will be hosting a virtual watch party in which fans will mingle with athletes and celebrities in a video chat room while watching the action on TV. Howard University Class of '22 graduate and multiple Emmy nominee Anthony Anderson, and Morehouse alums Isaac Keys, the actor and former NFL star and Edwin Moses, the renowned track and field champion, will watch from a Toyota suite at the game.

Anderson will be flipping the coin at the start of the game, which Toyota is sponsoring for the second straight year. He'll then head up to a skybox to socialize with fellow alums for what will be his fourth HANG party, following two HBCU Celebration Bowl HANGS as well as the Kentucky Derby. Isaac Keys- an ex‐linebacker who appreciates every inch of extra space-will be showcasing the roomier‐than‐ever 2024 Grand Highlander at Toyota's pre‐game YardFest at MetLife.

Joining Anderson, Keys and Moses virtually will be HBCU legend Aeneas Williams (NFL Hall of Famer and Southern University alum) as well as current NFL standouts Grover Stewart (Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle and Albany State graduate), Joshua Williams (Kansas City Chiefs cornerback and Fayetteville State alum) and University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff graduates Terron Armstead (Miami Dolphins four‐time Pro Bowl left tackle) and his protégé, Mark Evans II (New Orleans Saints rookie offensive tackle).

Hundreds of thousands of HBCU supporters are expected to join the HANG either on camera, via text thread or by watching the live stream on YouTube, Facebook Live or Twitch.

"Toyota and HANG are a natural fit," said William Moore, VP/Media Director with Burrell Communications Group. "HANG watch parties create a comfortable space for the whole family to enjoy an amazing experience-just like the new Grand Highlander does. We're thrilled to be hosting an HBCU 'family reunion' where committed alumni, students and parents across the country can join the HBCU NY Classic without ever leaving home, while asking questions and swapping stories with legendary classmates and heroes. There's room to spare in a HANG, and in a Grand Highlander."

"The entire media industry is eager to engage audiences directly, and HANG has been ahead of the pack in understanding the power of eliminating the middleman," said Jon Klein, HANG's co‐founder and CEO and the former president of CNN/US. "We've learned that the glue connecting athletes, fans and brands is love-the fans' love of their teams and favorite players; the athletes' love of getting out from under the helmet to reveal the fully‐formed person inside and everyone's love of products that make their lives easier and more fun."

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next‐generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs more than 48,000 people in North America, who have contributed to the design, engineering and assembly of nearly 45 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota's 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 20 electrified options, with more in showrooms later this year.

Through the Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address our society's most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

About HANG

Hang Media, winner of the 2023 Cynopsis Sports Award for best production innovation, is the leading celebrity‐fan community, with nearly one million views of each virtual watch party around majors ports events including pro and college football, basketball, baseball, and soccer. Since HANG's founding in September 2021, nearly 20 million sports fans have come face to face with their idols ‐ star athletes, performers, and influencers - while everyone watches the game on their own TV's. It's a dream come true for sports lovers, who get to have fun and frank conversations with their heroes about life on and off the field, play trivia contests, and sample products delivered by top sponsors including Coca‐Cola, Wells Fargo, MolsonCoors, Dave & Busters, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Pernod Ricard, and others.

Join the fun at https://letshang.live

MEDIA CONTACT:

LeslieAnne Wade

Hang Media

Lwade@wademediamanagment.com

917-751-7693

Toyota, whose first‐ever 2024 Grand Highlander SUV touts "the best views from every row," will be offering fans the best viewing experience when Morehouse College faces Albany State University in the 2nd annual HBCU NY Classic football game at MetLife Stadium on Saturday, September 16. Teaming with HANG, the leading fan-athlete community, Toyota will be hosting a virtual watch party in which fans will mingle with athletes and celebrities in a video chat room while watching the action on TV.

Related link: https://letshang.live/

Elite 11 and Panini Renew Partnership to Empower Young Athletes

TORRANCE, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Elite 11, the renowned quarterback competition for high school football players, and Panini America, the world's largest licensed sports and entertainment collectibles company, have announced the renewal of their partnership to inspire and empower young athletes across the country. Elite 11, powered by Stack Sports, is in full swing hosting their highly anticipated finals, taking place this week, June 14-16, 2023.

This prestigious event serves as the culmination of a rigorous selection process, bringing together the top high school quarterbacks in the nation for a thrilling display of talent, determination, and sportsmanship. This year's finals is a spectacular meeting of two of the top prospects in the country, Dylan Raiola, the #1 QB recruit in the class committed to Georgia and Jadyn Davis the #2 QB recruit in the class committed to Michigan.

During the Elite 11 Finals, these exceptional young athletes will participate in a series of challenging drills, situational exercises, and competitive sessions designed to showcase their skills under the guidance of renowned coaches and mentors. The event offers a unique platform for these rising stars to demonstrate their abilities and compete among their peers, all with the goal of securing recognition and potential opportunities at the collegiate and professional levels.

Panini America, as the exclusive trading card and collectibles partner for Elite 11, will be actively involved in capturing the excitement and significance of the finals. Through their expertise in creating high-quality collectibles, Panini will create exclusive trading cards and other commemorative items featuring the participating quarterbacks. These collectibles will allow fans to connect with the journey of these athletes, relive their standout moments, and build a lasting connection with the next generation of football stars.

"Elite 11 is thrilled to continue our partnership with Panini America, especially as we host the highly anticipated 2023 Elite 11 Finals," expressed Brian Stumpf, Senior Vice President of Elite 11. "This event represents the culmination of a tremendous amount of hard work and dedication by these young athletes. We are excited to collaborate with Panini to create memorable experiences for the participants and offer fans a unique way to engage with their favorite quarterbacks."

Panini America's involvement in the Elite 11 Finals reflects its commitment to showcasing the talents and accomplishments of these exceptional athletes. By producing exclusive collectibles, Panini ensures that the achievements and journeys of these quarterbacks are captured in a tangible and cherished form, serving as a testament to their hard work and future potential.

"We are proud to be a part of the Elite 11 Finals, a momentous event that celebrates the very best high school quarterbacks in the nation," said Mark Warsop, CEO of Panini America. "Through our exclusive collectibles, we aim to create lasting memories and provide fans with an opportunity to engage with the future stars of football. We look forward to witnessing the incredible talent on display during the Elite 11 Finals."

The collaboration between Elite 11 and Panini America not only highlights the dedication to the development of young athletes but also underscores the importance of preserving their legacies through collectibles that will be cherished by fans and sports enthusiasts for years to come.

For more information on Elite 11 and Panini America, please visit their respective websites at https://www.elite11.com/ and https://www.paniniamerica.net/.

About Panini America:

The Panini Group, established 60 years ago in Modena, Italy, has subsidiaries throughout Europe, Latin America, and the United States. Panini is the world leader in officially licensed collectibles and is the most significant publisher of collectibles in the U.S., with official licenses for NFL, NFLPA, NBA, NBPA, FIFA, UFC, NASCAR, College, Disney, and other key properties from many other licensors. Panini is also the exclusive trading card and sticker partner of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc.

About Elite 11:

Founded in 1999, the Elite 11 is the premier quarterback event in the nation, that identifies and develops the top high school quarterbacks in the country. Elite 11 has a rich history of producing some of the most successful quarterbacks in college and professional football. The program combines on-field drills and competitions with classroom instruction and mentorship to provide young athletes with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed on and off the field. Elite 11 is a part of the Stack Sports ecosystem, a leading sports technology company that provides a range of products and services to youth sports organizations. Elite 11 event alumni include 26 of the 32 current NFL starting quarterbacks, and 14 of the past 16 quarterbacks who have won the Heisman Trophy. For additional information on Elite 11, please visit: https://www.elite11.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 is transforming the sports experience, please visit https://www.stacksports.com/.

Elite 11, the renowned quarterback competition for high school football players, and Panini America, the world's largest licensed sports and entertainment collectibles company, have announced the renewal of their partnership to inspire and empower young athletes across the country. Elite 11, powered by Stack Sports, is in full swing hosting their highly anticipated finals, taking place this week, June 14-16, 2023.

Related link: https://stacksports.com/

Phil Simms, Marshall Faulk, Michael Fabiano, Tyler Smith, Tony Richardson, Justin Watson Join HANG Draft Virtual Watch Party Sponsored by Academy Sports + Outdoors

NEW YORK, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- Former first-round picks Phil Simms - the Super Bowl MVP and CBS Sports broadcaster, Marshall Faulk - the NFL Hall of Famer, and Tyler Smith of the Dallas Cowboys, along with fantasy football guru Michael Fabiano join HANG on Thursday, April 27 at 8 p.m. ET, to connect face to face with fans during early opening round action of the 2023 NFL Draft. Also joining live from the Draft's venue at Kansas City's Union Station will be former Chiefs great Tony Richardson and current Chiefs receiver Justin Watson, along with potential first-round picks sweating out the selections. Former Chief and current San Francisco 49ers receiver Chris Conley hosts along with Dallas broadcaster Lady Jade.

The HANG virtual watch party platform, offering free access, is averaging over 800,000 viewers per game and is recognized as the 2023 Cynopsis Sports Award Winner for best production innovation.

The event is sponsored by Academy Sports + Outdoors, and is accessed at https://letshang.live/.

Simms, who says Bryce Young of Alabama will be the #1 draft pick and suggests possibly CJ Stroud of Ohio State will be No. 2 says, "The third one will be interesting. Could it be Kentucky's Will Levis or Florida's Anthony Richardson? That's what makes it fun to watch and talk about. We know Bryce Young goes first as he canceled all his visits and that tells me he knows he is going first in the draft. If you are a quarterback in the NFL right now, you better keep working because there are a lot of good quarterbacks coming out and more right behind them."

About HANG:

HANG, winner of the 2023 Cynopsis Sports Award for best production innovation, is the leading celebrity-fan community, with 16+ million users taking part in virtual watch parties and IRL gatherings around major sports events including pro and college football, MLB, and both men's and women's basketball and soccer. Fans come face to face with their idols - star athletes, performers, and influencers - while everyone is watching the game on their own TV's. It's a dream come true for sports lovers, who get to have fun and frank conversations with their heroes about life on and off the field, play trivia contests, and sample products delivered by top sponsors including Coca-Cola, Wells Fargo, Miller Lite, Dave & Busters, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Pernod Ricard, and others.

Join the fun at https://letshang.live, or contact LeslieAnne Wade Lwade@wademediamanagement.com for more information.

Former first-round picks Phil Simms - the Super Bowl MVP and CBS Sports broadcaster, Marshall Faulk - the NFL Hall of Famer, and Tyler Smith of the Dallas Cowboys, along with fantasy football guru Michael Fabiano join HANG on Thursday, April 27 at 8 p.m. ET, to connect face to face with fans during early opening round action of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Related link: https://letshang.live/

Orange Blossom Classic Partners with HANG Media in Creating National Watch Party Featuring Exclusive Connections to Conversations with Star Athletes and Celebrities

NEW YORK, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- One of the country's most historic college football games, the storied Denny's Orange Blossom Classic presented by Ready Life, is poised to continue shining light on its bright future. Fans are invited to join a national watch party, which includes the opportunity to discuss an array of topics while viewing the game with sports heroes and celebrities through online channel, HANG Media.

Kendra Bulluck is the executive director of the Orange Blossom Classic Committee (OBC). She is one of only a few women who own rights to a major sports property. Today she is thrilled to announce a partnership with New York-based, HANG Media. Together, they will provide a live game co-viewing experience in an effort to bring HBCUs and the community together. Fans will have the opportunity to mingle with HBCU legends and supporters, which includes current NFL players and entertainers. In addition, the partnership creates a new and national media platform for brands to connect directly with consumers through bespoke association with the OBC.

Founded in 1933 ran consecutively through 1978 and after a 43-year hiatus, the Orange Blossom Classic was re-established by Bulluck in 2021. Its historic importance in the college football landscape and HBCU experience is significant. 2023 marks the third year of the Orange Blossom Classic and the big game will be held on Sunday, September 3 at Hard Rock Stadium. With fans, alumni, HBCU students, and sports enthusiasts ascending on the city of Miami Gardens, this year's theme has been dubbed "The Reunion."

"At its inception, The Orange Blossom Classic created opportunity and inspiration under strict segregation laws. To see this property return on new stages with new platforms in what we trust is a new media world, is an honor and a responsibility," said Jon Klein, HANG ceo and co-founder. "We are thrilled to be working with Kendra and her team to elevate conversations around the Orange Blossom Classic and increase its connections with real people and supportive brands who honor and value the HBCU missions of education and opportunity."

"As the buzz around HBCUs continues to grow, we are proud to partner with HANG in hosting the watch party of the year. We are so proud to bring fans, legendary football players, and entertainers together in what's sure to be a memorable experience for all. Bringing members from across all spectrums of the community together is our top priority. This star-studded watch party is sure to do just that," stated Kendra Bulluck, Orange Blossom Classic Committee executive director.

Denny's Orange Blossom Classic Presented by Ready Life will also be televised on one ESPN's family of networks.

About Orange Blossom Classic:

Founded in 1933 by the son of Florida A&M University's president, J.R.E. Lee Jr. The inaugural Orange Blossom Classic welcomed 2,000 fans to the "blacks-only" ballpark in Jacksonville, Florida, where FAMU beat Howard 9-0 and successfully established the foundation of HBCU classics. After a 43-year hiatus, The Orange Blossom Classic was re-established in 2021 with a mission to enhance the exposure of Historically Black Colleges & Universities.

In its second year, the OBC attracts thousands of fans, alumni, school members, and family members, highlighting interest in HBCUs and their roles in educating aspiring professionals and developing future leaders. However, its main goal remains to raise scholarship funds for the participating schools for years to come, helping to support the knowledge and experience offered by the discipline, commitment, and dedication it takes to be a Historically Black College & University student.

About HANG:

HANG is the leading celebrity-fan community, with 13+ million users taking part in virtual watch parties and IRL gatherings around major sports events including pro and college football, basketball, baseball, and soccer. Fans come face to face with their idols - star athletes, performers, and influencers - while everyone is watching the game on their own TV's. It's a dream come true for sports lovers, who get to have fun and frank conversations with their heroes about life on and off the field, play trivia contests, and sample products delivered by top sponsors including Coca-Cola, Dave & Busters, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Pernod Ricard, Twang, and others.

Join the fun at https://letshang.live.

One of the country's most historic college football games, the storied Denny's Orange Blossom Classic presented by Ready Life, is poised to continue shining light on its bright future. Fans are invited to join a national watch party, which includes the opportunity to discuss an array of topics while viewing the game with sports heroes and celebrities through online channel, HANG Media.

Related link: https://letshang.live/

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

TORRANCE, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- 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

lijah 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.

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

We Are G.A.M.E. Alum DJ Reed’s NFL Career Demonstrates ‘It Takes a Village’

TORRANCE, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Allen Thigpen, co-founder of We Are G.A.M.E., grew up in Plainfield, New Jersey rooting for the New York Jets, even back when they were the Titans. After graduating from Pennsylvania Military College (now Widener University), in Chester, Pennsylvania, Thigpen was commissioned as a second Lieutenant in the United States Army and served as an officer during the Vietnam era.

Fast forward to 2008, and Thigpen - still a Jets fan - founded We Are G.A.M.E. (Getting Athletes Mentoring and Education) with his wife Joyce. A few years later, the Thigpens received an email from Linda Reed, a single parent and cancer survivor in Bakersfield, California. She inquired if her son, DJ, could join the program while attending Independence High School.

The answer was yes. After mentoring DJ through high school, the Thigpens helped to set him up for success in college. Joyce attended Fresno State University's "Dog Days" orientation with DJ and Linda. At the time, it was unheard of for a student-athlete to arrive on campus with their own college counselor.

Ultimately, after some time attending Fresno State, DJ determined that it wasn't the right fit. The Thigpens jumped back in, helping him interview at four different community colleges. DJ chose Cerritos College, where Linda made the three-hour drive to attend every home game. At the same time, Blaze and Cheryl Bhence attended his home games and practices and took him out to dinner frequently. Meanwhile, Joyce developed an education plan, helping DJ get his Associate of Arts degree in just one year.

His performance at Cerritos landed him a football scholarship to Kansas State University, where Allen and Joyce, along with mentor Karen Rogers, regularly attended games. They also traveled to Phoenix to watch DJ and Elijah Walker play in the Cactus Bowl. At that game, DJ literally gave the shirt off his back and his cleats to kids in attendance so they wouldn't leave empty-handed.

After that bowl game, DJ declared for the NFL draft. The We Are G.A.M.E. family got to attend the draft party to hear his name called in the fifth round as he was picked up by the San Francisco 49ers.

The story doesn't end there, though. One day, Allen got a call that DJ had signed with the New York Jets. His football life had now come full circle. As the regular season starts this weekend, you can spot DJ wearing #4 for the Jets, his mentor's longtime team of choice.

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/.

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

Allen Thigpen, co-founder of We Are G.A.M.E., grew up in Plainfield, New Jersey rooting for the New York Jets, even back when they were the Titans. After graduating from Pennsylvania Military College (now Widener University), in Chester, Pennsylvania, Thigpen was commissioned as a second Lieutenant in the United States Army and served as an officer during the Vietnam era.

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

Toledo’s GPRS ‘Goes Hollywood’ to Help Bring Augmented Reality to the NFL

TOLEDO, Ohio /ScoopCloud/ -- When football fans tune in this season to watch their favorite teams play, and marvel at the amazing 3D mixed reality graphics that seem to leap off the field and onto their screens, they won't realize that a Toledo-based company - GPRS, and their latest acquisition, TruePoint Laser Scanning - played a large part in their enhanced fan experience.

Videos of Baltimore's menacing raven swooping in to perch on the uprights at M&T Bank Stadium and a fearsome panther stalking across the roof of Bank of America Stadium have gone viral, with millions of hits online, and they showcase just some of GPRS/TruePoint's exceptional work for clients like The Famous Group, who create the amazing mixed reality (MR) graphics for the NFL, among others.

Toledo's engineering powerhouse laser scans every millimeter of an NFL stadium (or NBA court, NHL rink, MLB diamond, or PGA course) to create the hyper-accurate 3D models that Hollywood special effects makers need to bring those video-game-inspired graphics to life.

In a recent interview, The Famous Group's Greg Harvey shared his thoughts about the particular difficulties associated with making the unreal, real, for the Baltimore Ravens:

"The beauty of mixed reality is the ability of computer-generated objects to interact with the physical environment, this sells the realism. To achieve this, parts of the stadium were captured with a laser-scanning technique. We scanned where the goal post was, where the field was, the vertical boards and brought that into a computer. When the bird is actually on the uprights, its claws wrap around the crossbar and its wings appear behind the uprights."

The Famous Group has tasked TruePoint with everything from creating a delicate 3D mesh virtual model of the "Gentle Giant" sculpture they used to create the North Carolina team's Panther in 3D, to scanning the entirety of the 3.1 million square feet of L.A.'s SoFi Stadium for Super Bowl LVI's amazing mixed reality effects, which featured everything from Halle Berry to a perfectly rendered L.A. Memorial Coliseum, to virtual drones delivering the Vince Lombardi Trophy to centerfield.

None of those mind-boggling, real-time fan experiences could have occurred without GPRS/ TruePoint 3D laser scans, point clouds, and 3D models. TruePoint's Director of Laser Scanning, Ryan Hacker loves watching people's reaction to what they do.

"My favorite thing is to sit with a client, either a new client or somebody that just hasn't used laser scanning a lot, and just watch their jaw drop as they realize how much information they truly have at their fingertips," he shared with the Wrapped 2020 podcast.

One of the most unexpected outcomes of GPRS' recent acquisition of TruePoint Laser Scanning is how it brings professional football - and a host of other pro sports - to the forefront for this construction-centered business. Sr. Vice President of Customer Service & Marketing, Jason Schaff, explains why the work for pro sports differs from their usual construction-based contracts.

"Most of the work we do is completed and then we move on to the next project. These types of projects are rewarding because you can see the results of your efforts down the road implemented in such a unique way."

GPRS & TruePoint are full of former college and professional players and football fans who consider this work a special privilege.

About Ground Penetrating Radar Systems:

GPRS, headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, visualizes the built world by providing utility locating, concrete scanning, 3D laser scanning, video pipe inspection, leak detection, and mapping & modeling services to utilities, contractors, engineering firms, and environmental consultants in every major market in the United States.

To learn more, visit https://www.gp-radar.com/.

VIDEO (YouTube): https://youtu.be/F9vyBz06uXk

When football fans tune in this season to watch their favorite teams play, and marvel at the amazing 3D mixed reality graphics that seem to leap off the field and onto their screens, they won't realize that a Toledo-based company - GPRS, and their latest acquisition, TruePoint Laser Scanning - played a large part in their enhanced fan experience.

Related link: https://www.gp-radar.com/

NFL FLAG Football Partners with Stack Sports to Implement State-of-the-Art Ecommerce and League Management Solution

DALLAS, Texas /ScoopCloud/ -- NFL FLAG Football, the official flag football program of the National Football League (NFL) and one of the fastest-growing youth sports organizations, has teamed up with Sports Connect, the leader in league and club management solutions, to further accelerate its league and participant growth. Sports Connect, powered by Stack Sports, makes sports easy by connecting administrators, volunteers, coaches, teams, and families with tools that help reduce administrative time and grow participation.

"Growing sports participation through partnerships is at the heart of what we do at Sports Connect," said Adam Abney, General Manager of Sports Connect. "NFL FLAG's vision and emphasis on providing great experiences to their membership base will change the way organizations use sports management technology. We are honored to serve as NFL FLAG's partner as they work towards their mission of getting more players involved in the game."

Sports Connect is a participation growth platform used by more than 20,000 clubs and leagues, including current partnerships with U.S. Soccer, USA Lacrosse, and Little League Baseball and Softball(r), among other national organizations. Sports Connect's software provides league registration tools to assist sports organizations in running their programs more efficiently.

"NFL FLAG is always looking for the latest tools and technology to best support our leagues and Sports Connect's solutions was an obvious choice to help us improve efficiency and accelerate growth," said NFL FLAG Executive Director and RCX Sports CEO Izell Reese. "This partnership reinforces our commitment to being at the forefront of innovation both on and off the field."

"One of our primary goals at the NFL is to continue to evolve and grow the game of football," said NFL Vice President Football Operations Roman Oben. "Stack Sports and Sports Connect will play an important role in providing our leagues with premier technology while growing NFL FLAG participation across the country."

Flag football is a growing sport with regular participation of more than 3 million youth and adults. NFL FLAG is an NFL licensed property of more than 1,600 locally operated leagues and over 500,000 youth athletes across all 50 states. A fun and accessible non-contact program, NFL FLAG is available for girls and boys ages 5-17.

Sports Connect and NFL FLAG combine the most comprehensive participation growth matrix with the fastest growing youth sports to introduce a new generation of athletes to the game of football.

About NFL FLAG:

NFL FLAG is an NFL-licensed property of more than 1,600 locally operated leagues and over 500,000 youth athletes across all 50 states. NFL FLAG is a fun and accessible non-contact program available for girls and boys ages 5-17. Players benefit by being physically active through non-contact, continuous action while learning the fundamentals of football as well as lessons in teamwork and sportsmanship. RCX Sports is the official operator of NFL FLAG.

About RCX Sports:

RCX Sports is the premier youth-sports experiences business, running and operating leagues, camps, combines, tournaments, and events. RCX works with professional leagues, national governing bodies, sports-centric businesses and brands to reimagine youth sports experiences. RCX produces events with world-class partners including the NFL, Jr. NBA, MLB, NHL, NAIA, Rivals.com and the 2022 World Games.

RCX is committed to improving the accessibility and inclusivity of sports by enhancing the youth sports experience and creating opportunities for all athletes to play. We believe sports have the power to transform lives and that every athlete should have the opportunity to experience the value of sports. For more information, visit http://www.rcxsports.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 is transforming the sports experience, please visit https://stacksports.com/.

NFL FLAG Football, the official flag football program of the National Football League (NFL) and one of the fastest-growing youth sports organizations, has teamed up with Sports Connect, powered by Stack Sports, the leader in league and club management solutions, to further accelerate its league and participant growth.

Related link: https://stacksports.com/

Pop Warner Little Scholars Extends Long-Standing Partnership with Sports Connect

LANGHORNE, Pa. /ScoopCloud/ -- Pop Warner Little Scholars (PWLS), a non-profit organization that promotes youth football and cheer & dance programs, has announced a five-year partnership extension with Sports Connect powered by Stack Sports. As the exclusive technology and online registration provider of Pop Warner, Sports Connect will continue to provide technology solutions for the governing body, local affiliated leagues, and the participating players, coaches, families, and volunteers.

"We are proud to extend our existing partnership with Sports Connect as the exclusive technology and online registration provider of Pop Warner," said Jon Butler, Executive Director of Pop Warner. "Many Pop Warner programs already trust Sports Connect with their league management needs, and we are confident that our continued partnership will guarantee leagues the most innovative solution on the market along with unmatched support for the volunteers that make each season possible."

Pop Warner affiliated leagues partnering with Sports Connect have access to a full suite of features, including Mobile-First Registration, seamless data sharing with the national system, exclusive website designs, secure online payment processing, and more.

"Pop Warner has been a partner of Sports Connect for five years and we are honored to extend the relationship for another five," said Adam Abney, General Manager of Sports Connect. "For decades, Pop Warner has been a leader in the growth of youth football, cheerleading, and dance. This partnership allows for continued innovation and resources that will serve our shared mission of giving more young players the opportunity to play sports."

In addition to local league management tools, Sports Connect has worked together with Pop Warner to provide better insights into the make-up of their affiliated leagues.

To learn more about Sports Connect features for Pop Warner, visit: https://sportsconnect.com/pop-warner/.

About Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc.

Founded in 1929 and headquartered in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, Pop Warner Little Scholars is the nation's oldest youth football, cheerleading and dance organization and the only youth sports organization that emphasizes academics as a prerequisite for participation. Pop Warner participants enjoy the opportunity to learn and compete in their sports in an atmosphere that emphasizes fun, safety, academics and character. For more information on Pop Warner and its programs visit https://www.popwarner.com/ or follow Pop Warner on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Pop_Warner.

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://stacksports.com/.

Pop Warner Little Scholars (PWLS), a non-profit organization that promotes youth football and cheer & dance programs, has announced a five-year partnership extension with Sports Connect powered by Stack Sports. As the exclusive technology and online registration provider of Pop Warner, Sports Connect will continue to provide technology solutions for the governing body, local affiliated leagues, and the participating players, coaches, families, and volunteers.

Related link: https://stacksports.com/

New York Jets Sign We Are G.A.M.E. Alum DJ Reed with a 3-Year, $33 Million Contract

TORRANCE, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- When DJ Reed connected with We Are G.A.M.E. (Getting Athletes Mentoring and Education) during his junior year of high school, he had big plans to play Division I football in college. He needed scholarships to do so, though, and scholarships didn't come. Fast forward nearly a decade, and Reed just inked a three-year, $33 million contract with the New York Jets.

How does a kid from Bakersfield become one of the hottest cornerbacks available in the offseason? More importantly, how does he go from community college football to a standout NFL career?

Part of Reed's success stems from his hard work, determination, and unwavering faith. Another portion of it, though, can be attributed to We Are G.A.M.E., a nonprofit that helps student-athletes learn the skills they need to not just navigate the world of college athletics, but the world at large.

When Reed connected with We Are G.A.M.E. in high school, his mentors placed a heavy emphasis on education. They encouraged him to apply to a variety of colleges as a backup plan if football didn't provide the path he wanted. As it turned out, the scholarship offers Reed needed to play higher-level college football didn't materialize. Fortunately, he had applied and was accepted - with a small academic scholarship - to Fresno State.

There, Reed started his collegiate academic and football careers. At Fresno State, he didn't get much playing time, but he moved to Cerritos College and had an explosive season there - so much so that he caught the eye of then-Kansas State defensive coordinator Tom Hayes.

During his first year playing for Kansas State, Reed ranked fifth nationally in passes defended, was voted First-Team All-Conference, and was named Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year. His second season was equally successful, if not more so.

It was enough to get drafted into the NFL in the fifth round with the San Francisco 49ers, but his 5-foot 9-inch height held him back at first. His playtime was limited and he was pigeonholed because the coaching staff felt he was too small to play on the outside (they now admit that was a mistake).

Fortunately, the Seattle Seahawks picked him up and Reed had a stellar start, picking off an interception against his former quarterback in his Seahawks debut. Initially put in as a replacement for the injured right cornerback, Reed performed so well he kept the spot once the other player was deemed healthy.

In his last year with the Seahawks, Reed started 14 games, defended 10 passes, had two interceptions, and posted 78 tackles.

Now, as Reed begins his tenure with the Jets, a recent Bleacher Report article says, "Cornerback D.J. Reed has elite potential and headlines a list of quality starters."

As Jets fans and We Are G.A.M.E. team members alike anticipate Reed's first season in New York, one thing is certain: his involvement with We Are G.A.M.E. helped Reed navigate the more unpredictable steps of his path to get to this point.

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

MULTIMEDIA:

VIDEO (YouTube): https://youtu.be/5RvtWPsr-kA

When DJ Reed connected with We Are G.A.M.E. (Getting Athletes Mentoring and Education) during his junior year of high school, he had big plans to play Division I football in college. He needed scholarships to do so, though, and scholarships didn't come. Fast forward nearly a decade, and Reed just inked a three-year, $33 million contract with the New York Jets.

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

Game Prep Technology GamePlan powered by Stack Sports helps lift the Los Angeles Rams to first Super Bowl win since 1999

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- A National Football League team based in Los Angeles, California recently won the 2021 Super Bowl LVI. While everyone watched them play, what they didn't see was their preparation using GamePlan - a mobile game preparation tool from Stack Sports - to win the championship.

Anyone watching the game could see that both teams, the Bengals who have never won a super bowl, and the Rams pushing for just their second Lombardi trophy since 1999, were fighting for this Championship. Each team was competing at their highest level to secure the win, but the LA Rams had something that the Bengals didn't.

In addition to an outstanding physical performance by a superior team, what you don't often see or hear about in the press or on television is how teams like the LA Rams prepare behind the scenes.

"It just comes down to this team, how we've prepared, the way we've loved each other, trusted each other," Cooper Kupp said about his MVP Super Bowl win. In this era of heightened technology, mobile apps like GamePlan are an extremely common tool among the majority of pro and top tier college teams and their popularity grows more every year.

"It's great to see the success of so many of our Partners this year including the Super Bowl Champion LA Rams," said Brandon Shangraw, VP of Marketing and Innovation at Stack Sports. "With continued innovation in our products and world-class support we expect to see our Partners continue to have success at the highest levels for years to come."

GamePlan is available to all levels of play from elite high school sports to the professional ranks and includes a number of key features:

* Mobile Distribution - seamless mobile video distribution for online or offline viewing

* Side-by-Side Video/Document - dynamically pair videos or a video/document combo side by side with our robust feature

* Video to Doc Embed - attach video to documents to create a powerful and interactive film study experience

* Go Contactless - Sync up with your calendar and instantly distribute scouting reports, playbooks, travel itineraries, and more

* Team Messaging - Built-in direct messaging to individual players or groups, attach documents to messages, access chat history, and more

* Survey - Share surveys, quizzes, and flashcards to gain valuable insight and continue growing

* Video Telestration & Analysis - Write, draw, comment, and speak over video clips to streamline player development through advanced video analysis

* Reporting - Keep track of usage by athletes and monitor who is engaging regularly with your content

GamePlan is Game Prep Made Easy. For more information on GamePlan or Stack Sports, please visit https://gameplan.stacksports.com/ or https://stacksports.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 is transforming the sports experience, please visit https://www.stacksports.com/.

A National Football League team based in Los Angeles, California recently won the 2021 Super Bowl LVI. While everyone watched them play, what they didn't see was their preparation using GamePlan - a mobile game preparation tool from Stack Sports - to win the championship.

Related link: https://stacksports.com/

Pop Warner’s Southern California Conference Hosts 2021 Championship at So-Fi Stadium

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Southern California Conference (SCC) of Pop-Warner Football & Cheer announced today that it will host its annual Championship at So-Fi Stadium. It will be the first youth sports organization to play in the new Los Angeles So-Fi Stadium. Southern California has produced some of the top football and cheer talent in the country and the city associations in SCC are pleased to be part of their athletic and academic journey. All associations in our conference are dedicated to the positive development of youth in our football and cheer program.

"After losing an entire season to COVID-19, we really wanted to bring a special experience to our football & cheer participants this year. We have many excited football players who are working hard to earn a chance to play at So-Fi Stadium," said Scottie Strong, Executive Commissioner for the Southern California Conference. "We are very proud of our players for their resiliency, dedication and work ethic."

Serving children ages 5 through 14, we are excited to give this opportunity to all our participants. On October 28th, beginning at 12:00pm there will be a full day of football starting with a Tiny Mite exhibition followed by Championship games from the top two teams for each of our divisions including: Mitey Mite, Junior Pee Wee, 12U and 14U with the last game starting at 7 p.m.

Spectators will enjoy cheer performances from our award-winning cheer programs and our Challengers will get to scrimmage on the So-Fi field. Tickets can be purchased at our SCC website www.teamscc.com for $20 until the week of competition when prices go up to $25 per ticket.

We pride ourselves on running a well-rounded and inclusive program for our participants with the goal of prepare for competition in high school. All of our coaches, refs and EMTs undergo background checks and must meet strict training criteria to serve the children in our program. Teams who play in the SCC Championship games will go on to play in regional games for a chance to compete in the 2021 Pop Warner Super Bowl which takes place December 4-11, 2021 in Orlando, Florida.

About the Southern California Conference

The Southern California Conference is a non-profit organization that has been serving the youth football and cheer enthusiasts in Southern California for more than 12 years. Our football and cheer associations are proud members of Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc. Prioritizing academics and emphasizing the importance of education is one of our core values. As a feeder system to many high schools in the area, we are viewed as being an integral part of the tremendous success that has been achieved at the schools across Southern California. Community involvement and giving back is an important element of our program to help produce well rounded leaders and athletes.

Please visit https://www.teamscc.com/ for additional information.

The Southern California Conference (SCC) of Pop-Warner Football & Cheer announced today that it will host its annual Championship at So-Fi Stadium. It will be the first youth sports organization to play in the new Los Angeles So-Fi Stadium.

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

Legacy Launch Pad Publishing Releases Memoir by Writer-Comedian and Widow of NFL Super Bowl Champion Nate Hobgood-Chittick

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Legacy Launch Pad Publishing is releasing the first book by writer and comedian Kelsey Chittick. The hilarious and moving memoir, "Second Half: Surviving Loss and Finding Magic in the Missing" (ISBN: 978-1951407445), documents her experience losing her husband, NFL football player Nate Hobgood-Chittick, when he was 42 and then navigating love, loss and widowhood while raising two children.

Hobgood-Chittick, who played for the New York Giants, Indianapolis Colts and San Francisco 49ers, among other teams, was part of the team that won Super Bowl XXXIV. His sudden heart attack devasted not only the loving family he left in his wake but also the legions of friends and fans who'd been impacted by his infectious spirit.

"Second Half: Surviving Loss and Finding Magic in the Missing" follows Kelsey Chittick's journey from grief-stricken mother to advocate for joy no matter the circumstances. Simultaneously laugh out loud hilarious and deeply heartbreaking, Chittick's memoir serves as a guide not only for anyone navigating loss but for anyone who needs a reminder that happiness can come in the most surprising places.

"It feels a little inappropriate to admit this about a memoir about losing your husband but I howled with laughter on almost every page of this book," says publisher Anna David. "Kelsey has a gift I've never seen before of weaving hilarity into tragedy. She's pretty much who I want to be when I grow up, even though I'm older than her."

"Second Half: Surviving Loss and Finding Magic in the Missing" is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, among many other outlets.

To learn more visit: https://www.secondhalfbook.com/

About Legacy Launch Pad Publishing:

A boutique publishing company primarily for entrepreneurs who are the leaders in their field, Legacy Launch Pad has published authors from the entertainment world, including KTLA anchor Courtney Friel and Real Housewives of New Jersey star Joe Gorga, in addition to government sales expert Gene Moran, Magic Johnson agent Darren Prince and franchise expert Tim Conn, among many others.

MEDIA CONTACT

Kaitlin Anthony
kaitlin@launchpadpub.com

MULTIMEDIA:

*IMAGE link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/21-0830s2p-second-half-300dpi.jpg

Legacy Launch Pad Publishing is releasing the first book by writer and comedian Kelsey Chittick. The hilarious and moving memoir, "Second Half: Surviving Loss and Finding Magic in the Missing" (ISBN: 978-1951407445), documents her experience losing her husband, NFL football player Nate Hobgood-Chittick, when he was 42 and then navigating love, loss and widowhood while raising two children.

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

Elite 11 Taps Opendorse to Prepare Top Quarterbacks for NIL

LINCOLN, Neb. /ScoopCloud/ -- Elite 11, powered by Stack Sports, and Opendorse announced today the launch of a new partnership to prepare the country's top high school quarterbacks for coming changes to name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights monetization. The partnership features the addition of Opendorse Ready™, the company's industry-leading NIL education solution that is currently used by more than 30 top programs in college sports including Clemson, Florida, and Ohio State Athletics.

As the nation's premier quarterback competition, Elite 11 competitors are poised to soon be among the most marketable athletes in college sports. Recent notable Elite 11 Alumni include Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones. With Opendorse Ready, each athlete will receive a personalized assessment of their current brand value with a roadmap to maximize it. NIL industry leaders will host live education sessions at the competition, and the program will provide athletes with on-demand access to the Opendorse NIL Masterclass, a video series featuring brand building and monetization experts from leading brands including Instagram, the Players' Tribune, and Overtime.

"We've always looked at Elite 11 as a place to bring the best in sport together and that is what we are doing by partnering with Opendorse," said Elite 11 President Brian Stumpf. "We want to evolve with changing landscapes and Opendorse will help us to continue to serve and educate this next generation of quarterbacks early on to ensure they have the tools both in football and in life necessary to reach their potential."

The program is built to provide an elite athlete development experience on-and-off the field. In addition to NIL education, competitors can use Opendorse to access photography and videos from Elite 11 events, and publish it to their personal social media channels with a single tap.

"Elite 11 competitors and counselors are poised to be among the most marketable athletes in college sports," said Opendorse CEO Blake Lawrence. "These quarterbacks will be the face of the new era. Knowing that, it's vital that they understand how to build and protect their brands now to be successful and safe in the very near future. I'm proud to provide Opendorse products to empower this next generation of greats."

By partnering with Opendorse, Elite 11 becomes the first camp or competition series to provide athletes brand building and NIL readiness resources.

About Opendorse

Opendorse is the sports technology company that maximizes endorsement value for athletes. Today more than 40,000 athletes around the world use Opendorse to understand, build, protect, and monetize their brands with support from partners including the PGA TOUR, NHL, NFLPA, MLBPA, WNBPA, LPGA, over 100 professional and collegiate sports teams, and hundreds of brands. From All-Americans to All-Pros - when athletes connect with their organizations, brands, or fans - they do it with Opendorse.

To learn more about Opendorse, visit https://opendorse.com/

About Elite 11

Founded in 1999, the Elite 11 is the premier quarterback event in the nation, bringing together the nation's top signal callers each offseason to compete and improve their skillset both on and off-the-field. Elite 11 event alumni include 26 of the 32 current NFL starting quarterbacks, and 13 of the past 14 quarterbacks who have won the Heisman Trophy.

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 three key pillars - Play, Improve, and Engage.

To learn more about how Stack Sports is transforming the sports experience, please visit http://www.stacksports.com/

Elite 11, powered by Stack Sports, and Opendorse announced today the launch of a new partnership to prepare the country's top high school quarterbacks for coming changes to name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights monetization. The partnership features the addition of Opendorse Ready™, the company's industry-leading NIL education solution.

Related link: https://stacksports.com/

The Florida vs Georgia All-Star Game Shines a Spotlight on Some of the South’s Most Prominent High School Athletes

MIAMI, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Florida vs Georgia All-Star Football Game presented by DRV PNK, a game set to host one of the most premier all-star high school football games in the country, will be taking place January 17, 2021 in the beautiful city of Miami, Florida at Traz Powell Stadium "The Mecca."

This high-energy, high-impact game, will showcase some of the best high school athletes that Florida and Georgia have to offer.

"Having covered all the original Florida vs Georgia games through the years, you tend to remember the players and coaches who made these games what they were. You look back 20 to 30 years ago and see some of the greats who have played and participated in this event go on and make waves in the league," says Larry Blustein, Director of the Florida vs Georgia.

He adds, "Often I talk to football players who took part in this game decades ago and all of them have such fond memories. Past and present players have always seen this game as their chance to compete against some of the best football talent in the country."

For decades, this game has brought out legendary coaches and the top high-school football prospects from the states of Florida and Georgia. A few prestigious all-star game alumni include Emmitt Smith, Sammie Smith, Fred Taylor, Derrick Brooks, Marquette Smith, Deion Sanders, Garrison Hearst, Hines Ward, Champ Bailey, and Andre Hastings.

Tickets to attend the most prestigious game in the south, must be purchased in advance at https://www.flvsgagame.com/.

MEDIA AND OTHER QUERIES:

For more information or media inquiries, contact Jessica Williams at (954)560-4812 or info@southpromo.com. For sponsorship information, contact info@flvsgagame.com.

The Florida vs Georgia All-Star Football Game presented by DRV PNK, a game set to host one of the most premier all-star high school football games in the country, will be taking place January 17, 2021 in the beautiful city of Miami, Florida at Traz Powell Stadium "The Mecca."

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

Brent Grablachoff Discusses What Makes Miami Dolphins Kicker Jason Sanders so Consistent

MIAMI, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- Brent Grablachoff, Owner of Kicking World, a program for high school football kickers to improve their skills and earn college scholarships, recently interviewed one of his most successful students, Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders.

Jason Sanders has been working with Coach Brent Grablachoff since they first met during Jason's junior year of high school. The pair have stuck together over the years refining Sanders craft through college and today as a professional football player. Whether in Brent's camp in Austin during the offseason, or conducting video analysis virtually during the NFL season, it has made Sanders one of the top young kickers in the NFL today.

"He's unlike any other kicker I've coached before. No matter the situation he doesn't get up and he doesn't get down; he stays right in the middle, which allows him to focus on the process and not worry so much about the outcome," said Brent Grablachoff, owner of Kicking World.

During the podcast, which can be heard on DolphinsTalk.com, Brent Grablachoff discusses Jason's training regime and about his mental makeup, which allowed him to have incredible success, setting numerous records amongst NFL kickers this season. The outlook is that once his rookie contract expires next year, Jason will be in line for a very large deal.

Podcast link: https://dolphinstalk.com/2020/12/10/dolphinstalk-podcast-brent-grablachoff-talks-about-working-with-jason-sanders/amp/

Jason Sanders records this year include earning back-to-back AFC Special Teams Player of the Month honors - in October and November of 2020 - and connecting for a perfect 5 for 5 field goals in two different games this season already. Jason also currently holds an active NFL kicking record for the most consecutive field goals made over 50 yards this season.

About Kicking World

Kicking World hosts over 40 football kicking, punting and snapping camps in 30 cities and 22 states, in addition to year-round private instruction for pro, college, high school and youth specialists. The emphasis is on quality instruction, a high coach to student ratio, and improving performance of football kickers. Learn more: https://www.kickingworld.com/

About Brent Grablachoff

Brent Grablachoff is the Owner and Head Coach of Kicking World, providing year-round kicking lessons in Texas. He conducts most of his sessions out of Austin, Texas and also travels to over 70% of their nationwide kicking camps. Brent is the author of the "Complete Guide to Kicking" and "Step by Step Guide to Punting" DVD series. He also launched an app and wrote a book, all related to football kicking. Learn more at: https://www.kickingworld.com/staff/brent-grablachoff/

MULTIMEDIA

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/cqTqzpm1RH8

SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/dolphinstalk/dolphinstalk-podcast-brent-grablachoff-talks-about-working-with-jason-sanders

MEDIA CONTACT:
Brent Grablachoff, 512-817-1333, brent@kickingworld.com

Brent Grablachoff, Owner of Kicking World, a program for high school football kickers to improve their skills and earn college scholarships, recently interviewed one of his most successful students, Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders.

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

Brent Grablachoff donates $500 to Hurricane Dorian Relief in the Bahamas

AUSTIN, Texas /ScoopCloud/ -- Kicking World owner Brent Grablachoff contributed $500 to the Hurricane Dorian Relief Fund in the Bahamas, set up by the large crowdsourced funding platform GlobalGiving.

Hurricane Dorian's devastating impact caused catastrophic losses throughout the Caribbean nation of the Bahamas, particularly the small islands of The Abacos and Grand Bahama.

"I've been very fortunate to visit various islands of the Bahamas over the years and its beautiful, clear turquoise water always draws me in. It's hard to fathom the destruction that took place, with some parts of the Abaco Islands completely decimated. My thoughts and prayers go out to all affected by this terrible hurricane in the Bahamas and beyond," said Brent Grablachoff, owner of Kicking World.

The GlobalGiving Hurricane Dorian Relief Fund states that all donations will exclusively support relief and recovery efforts in areas impacted by Hurricane Dorian. Initially, the fund will help first responders meet survivors' immediate needs for food, fuel, clean water, hygiene products, and shelter. The fund will transition to support longer-term recovery efforts run by local, vetted organizations in The Bahamas, the United States and the Caribbean.

See a chilling aerial video and an article on the aftermath in the Abacos: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna1051251

Make a Donation:
Your charitable contribution to the Hurricane Dorian Relief Fund will support people impacted by the storm system in the form of emergency supplies like food, water, and medicine, in addition to longer-term recovery assistance to help residents recover and rebuild.

At the time of donation, the campaign had raised $897,500 from its 8,0929 donations, with a projected goal of $2 Million.

Learn more at: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/hurricane-dorian-relief-fund/

About Kicking World

Kicking World (https://www.kickingworld.com/) is the leading football kicking, punting & snapping instruction provider in the world. The Company, based in Austin, Texas and head up by owner Brent Grablachoff holds over 50 national kicking camps in 34 major cities in 20 states training over 1,500 students a season.

Media Relations
Brent Grablachoff
Owner & Coach
Kicking World
512-817-1333
https://www.kickingworld.com/press-kit

Kicking World owner Brent Grablachoff contributed $500 to the Hurricane Dorian Relief Fund in the Bahamas, set up by the large crowdsourced funding platform GlobalGiving.

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

Brent Grablachoff Appoints 3 New Coaches to Kicking World Staff

AUSTIN, Texas /ScoopCloud/ -- Kicking World expanded its reach today by deploying three new coaches who will service the football enthused states of New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Owner Brent Grablachoff made the announcement.

"These three young men have done phenomenal jobs assisting as student coaches at our camps over the last few seasons. After having come through our program as campers, and more recently as student coaches, we realized it was the right time to enlist them as regional kicking coaches to help grow our national presence even further," said Brent Grablachoff, owner of Kicking World.

Pat Davis
The Lacey Township (Lacey, NJ) native Pat Davis has been a student of Kicking World since the 8th grade. The new kicking coach studied under Coach Brent Grablachoff throughout HS and College and is wrapping up his final season at Pace University. Pat will handle Kicking World's very popular NJ/NYC corridor.

Patrick Sandler
The Roncalli HS (Indianapolis, IN) standout kicked 2 game-winning field goals in the Indiana HS state playoffs. Patrick Sandler attends the University of Dayton in Ohio and serves as a student coach at Kicking World camps across the Midwest. Patrick will now offer kicking lessons in Indianapolis.

David Carney
The Johnstown (PA) native has studied under Kicking World lead snapping coach Steve Terlesky. David Carney had a standout long-snapping career at Division II programs - Bloomsburg University / California University of Pennsylvania. The new long snapping coach will handle Kicking World's Pittsburgh and Central PA regions.

About Kicking World
Kicking World (www.kickingworld.com/) is the leading football kicking, punting & snapping instruction provider in the world. The Company, based in Austin, Texas holds over 50 national kicking camps in 34 major cities in 20 states training over 1,500 students a season. Coach Brent Grablachoff and his staff also provide year-round private instruction. Kicking World's clients include hundreds of students from all levels including Professional, Collegiate, High School and Youth from various geographic locations across the world.

Visit https://www.kickingworld.com/ for more information.

Media Relations
Brent Grablachoff
Owner & Coach
Kicking World
512-817-1333
https://www.kickingworld.com/press-kit

*PHOTO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/19-0904s2p-grablachoff-300dpi.jpg
*Photo caption: Coach Brent Grablachoff.

VIDEO - Kicking World Camps (YouTube); https://youtu.be/kbP14DrN1pg

Kicking World expanded its reach today by deploying three new coaches who will service the football enthused states of New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Owner Brent Grablachoff made the announcement.

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

HS Football Preview: The Top Kickers in Texas

AUSTIN, Texas /ScoopCloud/ -- The largest instructional kicking camp in the country, Kicking World, announced its 2019 list of the top kickers in Texas.

"The best HS kickers and punters are in the great state of Texas. With Kicking World based in Austin we're fortunate to work with them year-round. This year's list not only encompasses the best prep specialists in Texas, but some of the top kickers in the country," said Brent Grablachoff, owner of Kicking World.

:: Seniors (2020)

Jared Zirkel
Tivy HS - Kerrville, Texas
The cannon-legged Class of 2020 kicker is verbally committed to the University of Georgia on scholarship. It will be hard for the HS senior to improve on last year's wow season where he connected on a 59 yard field goal with 63 of his 70 (90%) kickoffs going for touchbacks. Jared Zirkel has undoubtedly the biggest kicking leg in the country. The 6'3 Hill Country kicker hit a 70 yard field goal at practice and several kickoffs over 80 yards and 4.3+ seconds putting his leg strength amongst NFL kickers.

Trey McTaggart
Muenster HS - Muenster, Texas
The small German town of Muenster houses one of the most consistent HS kickers in the nation. McTaggart had a perfect 100/100 PAT streak throughout 2017, amassing 127 points his sophomore season putting him at #2 in the entire country for points by a kicker. The 2x All-State kicker holds multiple offers and turned heads on the college camp circuit winning events at Notre Dame and finishing among the top at Wisconsin.

Everett Ornstein
Langham Creek HS - Houston, Texas
The Houston product is verbally committed to UTSA on scholarship. He has emerged as one of the top kicker/punter recruits in the state. Everett has a big leg and can do all 3 - field goals, kickoffs, and punts.

Anthony Ortiz
Royse City HS - Royse City, Texas
The 5A All-District kicker only started kicking 2 years ago and has evolved quickly. He's won several Kicking World field goal and kickoff events. Anthony completed his junior year football season with a perfect 9/9 FG and 14/14 PAT.

Perrin Teer
Huntington HS - Huntington, Texas
Perrin has a big kickoff leg and a field goal range from inside 55 yards. The All-District kicker shows a lot of potential and if he can get some in-game opportunities this season colleges should start coming around. Perrin has a 1240 SAT score.

Alejandro Chavarria
Central Catholic HS - San Antonio, Texas
Alejandro switched from soccer to football just a year ago and was very raw at the start but made huge progress in less than a few months. The quick learner can do all 3 (FG/KO/P) and has one of the strongest legs of HS kickers in San Antonio.

:: Juniors (2021)

Justin Bohrer
Cedar Park HS - Cedar Park, Texas
Last season the junior helped propel the Timberwolves into the 2nd round of the Texas HS Football state playoffs with a 37 yard game-winning overtime field goal. Justin Bohrer is listed as the top Class of 2021 kicker on the Kicking World Hot Prospect List, ranking him as one of the best kickers in the nation. The Cedar Park product is poised for a big junior season and is scholarship ready.

Garrett Stiles
Seguin HS - Seguin, Texas
The 6'2 kicker made All-District and All-Area honors last season. Garrett has a big kickoff leg and although he only had a few kicks in-game last year, he's got the big kick range and with more in-game opportunities this season he will get college offers.

Tripp Daniel
St Michael's Catholic Academy - Austin, Texas
The top private school kicker in Austin hit a 42 yard field goal last season with 7 of 8 made (88%) and 21 of his 22 PATs (95%) showing a very consistent sophomore campaign. The St Michael's kicker has a 29 ACT.

Nick Hernandez
Ronald Reagan HS - San Antonio, Texas
Following a very impressive HS career from former Reagan kicker Steven Opella who's now off to the University of Nevada, Nick looks to make his mark on Varsity this season. Hernandez can do all 3 - field goals, kickoffs, and punts, and shows a lot of upside and should start getting interest from colleges very soon.

:: Sophomores (2022)

Buck Buchanan
Hallsville HS - Hallsville, Texas
One of Kicking World's youngest Hot Prospects, Buck had an impressive performance at the 2018 National Showcase where he finished near the top of his class and in the upper tier of over 60 kickers who attended from over 20 states. The HS sophomore has shown he can kick field goals from 55 yards out and kickoffs deep in the end zone. He's an under-classmen kicker that should turn heads this season.

About Kicking World
Kicking World ( https://www.kickingworld.com/ ) is the leading football kicking, punting & snapping instruction provider in the world. The Company, based in Austin, Texas holds over 50 national kicking camps in 34 major cities in 20 states training over 1,500 students a season. Owner Brent Grablachoff provides year-round private instruction across the state of Texas.

Visit the Kicking World Hot Prospect List for bios, photos, video, and detailed write-ups on each of this year's top kickers in Texas: https://www.kickingworld.com/hot-prospect-list/

Media Relations
Brent Grablachoff
Owner & Coach
Kicking World
512-817-1333
Press Kit: https://www.kickingworld.com/press-kit

The largest instructional kicking camp in the country, Kicking World, announced its 2019 list of the top kickers in Texas. "The best HS kickers and punters are in the great state of Texas. This year's list not only encompasses the best prep specialists in Texas, but some of the top kickers in the country," said Brent Grablachoff, owner of Kicking World.

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

My Sports Vote Launches New App and Website

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. /ScoopCloud/ -- Since yelling at the TV just doesn't cut it, My Sports Vote has launched a new app for enthusiastic sports fans. It allows users to have their voices heard through votes and opinions, which are shared with teams and league offices.

My Sports Vote allows MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, and NCAA fans to connect and engage with their favorite players and teams. Fans can read articles and view videos on topics they choose. Each story has a poll in which fans can vote. The app provides an excellent user experience, with a clear interface design and continually populating sports topics.

Fans are also able to comment with each other, answer trivia questions, and earn points as they interact. This gamification allows fans to move up in rankings, with the possibility of winning prizes and becoming the "ultimate sports fan."

"We found that 22% of sports fans are willing to switch teams and 30% already have in the past year," says sports writer, Dan Fergusson, "If teams don't listen to fan feedback and include them in their decision-making process, fans may not stick around for long." [*see note 1]

Fortunately, My Sports Vote is specifically designed for the purpose of connecting fans with their favorite teams. This increased engagement will not only make fans feel more connected with their teams, but also allow the teams themselves to hear the fans' voices.

The free app is available for download on the Apple and Google app stores.

About My Sports Vote (owned by Voter Connect, LLC):

The company was founded by Paul Stanley, who is a 10-year television sports broadcasting veteran. After running a billion-dollar region for a Fortune 500 company, he combined his resume skills into forming My Sports Vote. A team of app and sports experts have dedicated more than one year of development into creating this unique app and website.

Learn more at: https://www.mysportsvote.com/

[*note 1] Fergusson, Dan (2019, May 4th). "7 reasons why sports teams should listen to their fans." Retrieved from https://www.visioncritical.com.

For more information, contact:
Kevin vanBenthuysen
President - My Sports Vote
800-647-6008
kevin@mysportsvote.com

*IMAGE link for media: Send2Press.com/300dpi/19-0822s2p-my-sports-vote-300dpi.jpg

VIDEO (YouTube): https://youtu.be/HYunWlje23M

Since yelling at the TV just doesn't cut it, My Sports Vote has launched a new app for enthusiastic sports fans. It allows users to have their voices heard through votes and opinions, which are shared with teams and league offices.

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

Jim Rooney from Pittsburgh Steelers and Jon Kolb, 4x Super Bowl Champion to Keynote Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs Passing of the Leash Community Awareness Event

PITTSBURGH, Pa. /ScoopCloud/ -- Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs cordially invites the public to attend our 2019 Pittsburgh Passing of the Leash Ceremony. This heart-warming event showcases the incredible difference Service Dogs have made in the lives of their recipients in Pennsylvania communities. Meet some of these life-saving dogs and teams, and enjoy lunch with us.

The Passing of the Leash will be held at Duquesne Union Ballroom, on Tuesday, June 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Admission is $35 per person, and tickets can be purchased in advance online at: https://medicalservicedogs.networkforgood.com/events/12383-passing-of-the-leash.

Full tables and sponsorships are available. Seating is limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.

You can find more information, and learn additional information about this uplifting event at: http://www.medicalservicedogs.org/event/passing-leash-pittsburgh/

We would like to thank our Title Sponsor, Mosites Construction Company for their support of our event. Special thanks also to the Sons of the American Legion, Post 892 for their support. If you have questions regarding the event, or would like to become a sponsor, please call Christine at (779) 970-6430 or send an e-mail to: Christine@medicalservicedogs.org for more information.

About Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs:

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs is a 501(c)(3) Based in Williston, Florida that raises, trains and then donates individually trained medical service dogs to veterans and others who suffer from disabilities including PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, mobility issues and much more. We receive no state or federal funding available for this critical life-saving program. Over the past nine years, Guardian Angels has paired nearly 300 individually trained medical service dogs with those in need, and with your help, they can help even more. Reserve your tickets today.

VIDEO (YouTube): https://youtu.be/qIrknXtV0ss

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs cordially invites the public to attend our 2019 Pittsburgh Passing of the Leash Ceremony. This heart-warming event showcases the incredible difference Service Dogs have made in the lives of their recipients in Pennsylvania communities. Meet some of these life-saving dogs and teams, and enjoy lunch with us.

Related link: http://www.medicalservicedogs.org/

Keystone Homes Pledges $100,000 Towards the Construction of New Tipp City Stadium

TIPP CITY, Ohio /ScoopCloud/ -- The Tipp Pride Association Board of Directors announced today that the organization has received a $100,000 sponsorship from Keystone Homes of Troy, Ohio for the construction of Tipp City's new community stadium. The generous gift will lead ongoing fundraising to support stadium construction.

Mashell Stith, president of TPA shared, "We are so thrilled about this sponsorship from Tony and Katy Scott and Keystone Homes. He has been so very involved in improving our community. Tony's been a vital part of the home builder and remodeling community, as well as a stand-out supporter of everything Tipp City."

The new Tipp City stadium will be constructed at the location of the current stadium within City Park. Replacement of the field, stands, buildings and scoreboard are estimated to cost approximately 5.6 million dollars. Tipp Pride Association is seeking private funding for this project.

"We are extremely grateful, humbled and honored by Keystone Homes' generous gift for the new football stadium," said J.D. Foust, Athletic Director for Tipp City Schools. "They understand the importance of Tipp City's athletic and academic programs, but also how much a safe and beautiful stadium will mean to our community. I believe that the vision shown by community leaders such as Tony and Katy Scott from Keystone Homes and our school administration and board leadership will ensure continued success for all of our athletic and community programs well into the future."

Tony Scott, President of Keystone Homes shared, "The team here at Keystone Homes believes it is important to help support organizations and institutions that play a significant role in enhancing the quality of life for the youth in our communities," Scott continued. "Tipp City is a beautiful town where residents care about raising their youth to be intelligent, responsible, and respectful citizens. We love Tipp City and are glad to be a part of this great undertaking."

Tipp Pride Association intends to highlight significant donors and sponsors at each home football game this season. "There is no better place to provide recognition to donors than at the very same venue we are working to provide upgrades", states Scott George, vice-president of TPA.

The new stadium will increase available seating for home, visitor, and band to 3,500.

With a successful fundraising campaign, the stadium project could begin construction at the end of the 2017 football season.

ABOUT KEYSTONE HOMES:
Keystone Homes is a leader in Miami County for providing quality construction services at an affordable price. Keystone is a diverse construction company, capable of building new construction, renewing existing structures, and remodeling areas within a home. Keystone Homes has the expertise of building over 400 homes while cultivating a rapport with each customer that continues even years after the construction is complete.

With each home built, renewed or remodeled, Keystone Homes uses quality products while keeping costs affordable for the homeowner. Find out more about Keystone Homes at http://keystonehomesintroy.com/.

ABOUT TIPP PRIDE ASSOCIATION:
Tipp Pride Association is committed to building a community stadium that supports our schools and is a source of pride for all of Tipp City. Our Mission is to raise private funds to build a new stadium for the community by the community. For more information, please visit https://tipppride.com/.

The Tipp Pride Association Board of Directors announced today that the organization has received a $100,000 sponsorship from Keystone Homes of Troy, Ohio for the construction of Tipp City's new community stadium. The generous gift will lead ongoing fundraising to support stadium construction.

Related link: https://tipppride.com/

Unity National Bank Pledges $100,000 Towards the Construction of New Tipp City Stadium

TIPP CITY, Ohio /ScoopCloud/ -- The Tipp Pride Association Board of Directors announced today that the organization has received a $100,000 sponsorship from Unity National Bank for the construction of Tipp City's new community stadium. The generous gift will lead ongoing fundraising to support stadium construction.

"Tipp pride can be felt everywhere in this community. You feel it as you walk down Main Street, attend school functions and participate in community events. Tipp City is a wonderful place to live, work and play. We are honored and proud to be part of it," states Lisa McGraw, Vice President, Commercial Cash Management for Unity Bank.

In recognition of the sizable donation, Members of the Tipp Pride Association (TPA) state that they intend to place Unity National Bank's logo prominently on the scoreboard of the new stadium.

Mashell Stith, president of TPA shared, "We are so thrilled about Unity National Bank stepping up to support Tipp City in this way. Words cannot describe the energy this creates for our entire community. It was so great to hear the Tippecanoe student section chant 'Thank You, Thank You' during the check presentation on the field Friday night."

The new Tipp City stadium will be constructed at the location of the current stadium within City Park. Replacement of the field, stands, buildings and scoreboard are estimated to cost approximately 5.6 million dollars. Tipp Pride Association is seeking private funding for this project.

"We are extremely grateful, humbled and honored by Unity National Bank's generous gift for the new football stadium," said J.D. Foust, Athletic Director for Tipp City Schools. "Their love and passion for Tipp City is truly incredible, and this gift will impact not only Tipp City's athletic programs but also our great community, well into the future. I believe that the vision shown by community leaders such as Unity National Bank and our school administration and board leadership will ensure continued success for all of our athletic and community programs well into the future."

Brett Baumeister, President of Unity National Bank, agrees, "Unity National Bank isn't just located in your town. We are your neighbors, and we care about helping the entire community thrive and prosper. Our commitment to you goes beyond financial services; you can count on Unity to support the people and organizations working to build a stronger community."

Tipp Pride Association intends to highlight significant donors and sponsors at each home football game this season. "There is no better place to provide recognition to donors than at the very same venue we are working to provide upgrades," states Scott George, vice-president of TPA, "It was easy to observe Friday night the packed stands in both the home and visitor bleachers while hundreds of spectators stood at the fence trying to enjoy the game."

The new stadium will increase available seating for home, visitor, and band to 3,500.

With a successful fundraising campaign, the stadium project could begin construction at the end of the 2017 football season.

ABOUT UNITY NATIONAL BANK:

With locations in Piqua, Tipp City and Troy, Unity National Bank provides customers with a full array of personal banking, business banking, and trust and investment products and services. Unity National Bank, founded in 1884, is one of the 11 Ohio community banks and two specialty finance companies in the Park National Family of Community Banks that make up The Park National Corporation (NYSE:PRK). Park had $7.8 billion in total assets as of June 30, 2017. For more information, visit https://unitynationalbk.com/.

ABOUT TIPP PRIDE ASSOCIATION:

Tipp Pride Association is committed to building a community stadium that supports our schools and is a source of pride for all of Tipp City. Our Mission is to raise private funds to build a new stadium for the community by the community. For more information, please visit https://tipppride.com/.

The Tipp Pride Association Board of Directors announced today that the organization has received a $100,000 sponsorship from Unity National Bank for the construction of Tipp City's new community stadium. The generous gift will lead ongoing fundraising to support stadium construction.

Related link: https://tipppride.com/

Ultimate Packer Fans Unite In The Name Of Charity

GREEN BAY, Wis. /ScoopCloud/ -- Join Professional Football's Ultimate Fan Association inductees Steve Tate and Wayne Sargent and former and current players invited to attend the 6th Annual Ultimate Packer Fan Connection party at The District D2 on Saturday, June 17, 2017 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

The gathering of Ultimate Packer Fans will include food, raffles and silent auction items. There will also be vendors selling their favorite Packers related wares, including the 2017 Cheesy Scarf produced by residents and volunteers of the New Community Shelter.

The Ultimate Packer Fan Connection board of directors has chosen the New Community Shelter as the beneficiary of the event because if its service to homeless adults and Community Meal Program that serves meals daily to children and adults.

"The Ultimate Packer Fan Connection is committed to making a difference in the lives of the less fortunate," said Kris Olson, New Community Shelter Development Director said. "The board has been planning this great day to bring together fans and some players all in the name of charity. They live all over the state and fans they are associated with come from around the country to be part of this great organization. We are honored to be associated with such kind people."

The Ultimate Packer Fan Connection:
Saturday, June 17, 2017
D2 - The District (formerly the Best Western Hotel)
Located next to the Resch Center across from Lambeau Field
11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Food, Fans, Fun for all!!

For more information about The Ultimate Packer Fan and events - visit: http://www.theultimatepackerfan.com/

Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/TheUltimatePackerFanConnection/

Learn more about New Community Shelter at: http://newcommunityshelter.org/.

For further information about the event, contact: Wayne Sargent, (262) 626-1053 or Jenn Schultz (920) 242-4334.

Join Professional Football's Ultimate Fan Association inductees Steve Tate and Wayne Sargent and former and current players invited to attend the 6th Annual Ultimate Packer Fan Connection party at The District D2 on Saturday, June 17, 2017 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

‘Chasing Space: An Astronaut’s Story of Grit, Grace, and Second Chances’ by Leland Melvin

NEW YORK, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- Retired pro football player Leland Melvin thought his road to the NFL was an incredible journey - until he climbed aboard the shuttle Atlantis and traveled to outer space. Twice. Melvin, a former wide receiver for the Detroit Lions, engineer and astronaut, shares his real-life experiences, triumphs and challenges in an inspirational memoir. The book: "CHASING SPACE: AN ASTRONAUT'S STORY OF GRIT, GRACE, AND SECOND CHANCES" (ISBN: 978-0062496720; Amistad Hardcover Original).

Leland, who was named the NASA Associate Administrator for Education, and served as co-chair on the White House's Federal Coordination in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education Task Force penned a version of his book for children, "CHASING SPACE YOUNG READERS' VERSION." This version also includes hands-on experiments and activities for boys and girls ages 8-12.

"CHASING SPACE" is a poignant story of Leland's personal journey from the end zone to outer space and back. He is the only person in history to have played for the National Football League and serve as mission specialist for two flights aboard the shuttle Atlantis, working on the International Space Station. His remarkable testimony is a must-read for adults and children.

"The more that I thought about it this journey of a skinny Black kid, from a small southern town going to space and with all the other things happening in our country and the world, what better way to tell a story of inspiration, hope and second chances, and doing it in with grace," says Leland, a native of Lynchburg, Virginia whose parents were longtime educators in the local school system.

I hope you will consider "CHASING SPACE" and Leland Melvin for review, interview, and feature on debut authors. Social media hashtag: #ChasingSpace.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Leland Melvin, a former wide receiver for the Detroit Lions, engineer and NASA astronaut. He served on the space shuttle Atlantis as a mission specialist and was named the NASA Associate Administrator for Education in October 2010. He also served as the co-chair on the White House's Federal Coordination in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education Task Force, developing the nation's five-year STEM education plan.

In Spring 2018, he will appear in "One Strange Rock," a National Geographic Channel event series that explores life on Earth and its rarity in the universe. He was the host of the Lifetime show "Child Genius" and a judge for ABC's "BattleBots." He holds four honorary doctorates and has received the NFL Players Association Award of Excellence. He lives in Lynchburg, Virginia.

More information: http://www.lelandmelvin.com/.

Review copies/interviews: mocha@theoraclegroupinc.net

Video trailer for book (YouTube): https://youtu.be/ELTw8Z5foYI

"CHASING SPACE: AN ASTRONAUT'S STORY OF GRIT, GRACE, AND SECOND CHANCES"
MAY 23, 2017; $25.99
Amistad
ISBN-13: 978-0062496720

"CHASING SPACE YOUNG READERS EDITION"
MAY 23, 2017; $12.59
Amistad
ISBN-13: 978-0062665928

*PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/17-0519s2p-chasingspace-300dpi.jpg

Retired pro football player Leland Melvin thought his road to the NFL was an incredible journey - until he climbed aboard the shuttle Atlantis and traveled to outer space. Twice. Melvin, a former wide receiver for the Detroit Lions, engineer and astronaut, shares his real-life experiences, triumphs and challenges in an inspirational memoir. The book: "CHASING SPACE: AN ASTRONAUT'S STORY OF GRIT, GRACE, AND SECOND CHANCES" (ISBN: 978-0062496720; Amistad Hardcover Original).

5 BARS Resets the Wi-Fi ‘BAR’ for Wireless Data Usage and Performance During Sunday’s Super Bowl LI

IRVINE, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- 5 BARS(R), a premier provider of wireless solutions, set a new record for any single-day wireless data usage event on the Wi-Fi system installed and operating at NRG Stadium. During Super Bowl LI, the Wi-Fi system recorded data usage of 12.2 TB, exceeding last year's record from Levi Stadium.

Overall data usage exceeded 40 TB when cellular data usage is included. Verizon reported a 57% increase over last year with 11 terabytes of cellular data usage. AT&T reported an 88% increase to 9.8 terabytes. Sprint reported a three-fold increase to 5.0 terabytes. T-Mobile reported data usage nearly twice as much as usual, with 2.1 terabytes reported last year.

5 Bars worked with the NFL, Verizon, Super Bowl Host Committee, Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation and SMG to plan, design and build the technologically advanced high density Wi-Fi network to support the specific needs of the sellout crowds at NRG Stadium for the 2017 Super Bowl. Connectivity was the top priority to ensure maximum fan interaction during the big game.

"We are beyond pleased with the performance of the network 5 Bars delivered to NRG Stadium on Sunday. The day was filled with new records and unexpected outcomes, and we are so proud to be a part of history," said Monnie McGaffigan, President of 5 Bars. "The partnership and team work involved to bring a state of the art Wi-Fi network and exceptional experience to 77,000 fans was nothing short of herculean," declared McGaffigan.

About 5 Bars:

5 Bars is an Irvine, California based, privately held premier provider of Wireless Master Plans for Counties, Cities and Large Scale Venues developing comprehensive wireless strategies through a unique holistic view of all assets, coverage and capacity. 5 Bars offers fully managed wireless solutions, network development, ownership and end-to-end management delivering commercial indoor and outdoor distributed antenna systems (DAS), carrier-grade Wi-Fi networks, and small cell systems on behalf of properties and service providers.

For more information visit http://www.5bars.com/.

*PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/17-0208s2p-nrg5bars-300dpi.jpg

MEDIA CONTACT:
5 Bars
(949) 514-4617
info@5bars.com

5 BARS(R), a premier provider of wireless solutions, set a new record for any single-day wireless data usage event on the Wi-Fi system installed and operating at NRG Stadium. During Super Bowl LI, the Wi-Fi system recorded data usage of 12.2 TB, exceeding last year's record from Levi Stadium.

5 BARS Positions NRG Stadium As One of the Most Connected Stadiums

IRVINE, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- 5 BARS(R), a premier provider of wireless solutions, has positioned NRG Stadium as one of the most connected football stadiums today in time to support the biggest data-usage event in sports, next week’s Super Bowl LI. 5 Bars deployed a secure, reliable high density Wi-Fi network to support the heavy demand required by the team, venue and fans.

5 Bars worked with the Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation to plan, design and build the high density Wi-Fi network to meet the needs of the biggest crowds at NRG Stadium and the upcoming Super Bowl LI. Wireless connectivity is 5 Bars’ top priority to ensure fan interaction for maximum simultaneous users at the 72,000+ seat facility.

NRG Stadium and 5 Bars embarked with great success to deliver a state-of-the-art network within a very tight time line as demanded by the NFL and ensure the performance required for the big day. The high density Wi-Fi network, which was nonexistent in the past, now covers 1.9 million square feet of the stadium through the deployment of 1,250 Extreme Networks access points and switches. This publicly-accessible, fan-enhancing network allows users to be fully connected inside the stadium.

“We are proud to be part of such a high profile venue. NRG Stadium is one of the largest and busiest stadiums in the country. To be able to deliver a world-class Wi-Fi system in such a short time frame, speaks volumes about the team we were working with and the importance of the Super Bowl,” said Monnie McGaffigan, President of 5 Bars. “We are excited to see the system in full action.”

About NRG Park:

NRG Park is the premier sports, convention, tradeshow and entertainment complex located in Harris County, the cultural center and urban hub of Houston. NRG Park hosts over 5.5 million guests annually and is comprised of four large facilities; NRG Stadium which is one of the busiest venues in the country and home to the NFL’s Houston Texans, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Super Bowl(R) LI, with hundreds of events and seating for 72,500 fans; NRG Center offering 1.4 million square feet of exhibition space, NRG Arena with 8,000 seats, 26,000 parking spaces and the Astrodome.

About 5 Bars:

5 Bars is an Irvine, California based, privately held premier provider of Wireless Master Plans for Counties, Cities and Large Scale Venues developing comprehensive wireless strategies through a unique holistic view of all assets, coverage and capacity. 5 Bars offers fully managed wireless solutions, network development, ownership and end-to-end management delivering commercial indoor and outdoor distributed antenna systems (DAS), carrier-grade Wi-Fi networks, and small cell systems on behalf of properties and service providers.

For more information, visit http://5bars.com/.

Media Contact:
5 Bars
949-514-4617
info@5bars.com

5 BARS(R), a premier provider of wireless solutions, has positioned NRG Stadium as one of the most connected football stadiums today in time to support the biggest data-usage event in sports, next week’s Super Bowl LI. 5 Bars deployed a secure, reliable high density Wi-Fi network to support the heavy demand required by the team, venue and fans.

Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll and New England Patriots leave lifetime memories for former New York Jet and Marine Wayne Wicka

WINONA, Minn., Jan. 29, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Wayne Wicka went into the U.S. Marine Corps seeking direction, leadership and success, and he got it. The techniques learned from the New England Patriots and from his then defensive coach at the New York Jets, Pete Carroll, now the Head Coach of the Seattle Seahawks, created life-changing memories for Wicka, a high school benchwarmer turned New York Jet and U.S. Marine who sacked Brett Favre.

Wicka takes the principles learned from the United States Marine Corps, the National Football League, his collegiate coaching and teaching experiences and shared it with the young and inexperienced Arcadia High School Raiders, who immediately went on to unprecedented success, two consecutive undefeated back-to-back Coulee Conference Championship seasons, finishing the 2013 and 2014 regular seasons a perfect 18-0.

His book, "The Power of Human Potential: It's In You!" is now available.

"My one goal in life is to teach others to believe and to achieve success by sharing my personal experiences, and unique methods and strategies to obtain higher success," says Wicka. "I steadfastly believe that everyone has within them The Power of Human Potential."

The abbreviated version of the book's summary follows, but the complete summary can be seen at http://www.waynewicka.com/ or http://www.thepowerofhumanpotential.com/

The true story of Wayne Wicka's life, a Horatio Alger-like rags-to-riches tale, a life that begins in Smalltown, USA, Dodge, Wisconsin (population 300), a journey including stops in Magnificent MCRD the Show Place of the Marine Corps, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, the metropolis of New York City (19 million), and the National Football League (NFL) as a New York Jet. A fascinating story of struggle and triumph in his quest to overcome failure and discover success.

Using the Marine Corps' leadership principles for success - self-discipline, hard work, dedication, determination, and perseverance to a goal - Wicka emerges from the Marine Corps to retrace his steps, confront his painful past, for a second chance "do over" of his past academic and athletic failures. This is a journey of Academic and Athletic Redemption, culminating in Final Redemption.

Wicka faces an uphill battle and difficult odds as a first-generation, non-traditional college student, because neither of his parents had a college degree. Using the power of positive thinking and the mentoring he received along the way from coaches, college professors, the U.S. Marine Corps, the National Football League, as well as many people who foretold his success, inspiration from NFL Stars Howie Long, Herman Edwards, and Head Coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks, his belief in self grows. Unleashed is his self-confidence and his renewed commitment takes him on an incredible journey of Academic and Athletic Redemption.

A story of adversity, triumph, and never giving up, the journey takes you from Small Town, USA to the metropolis of New York City, through his turbulent teen years and parents' marital heartache, the Marine Corps, college life, the NFL, and the obstacles of life. In the wake, Wayne re-emerges and leaves his indelible mark in both academics and athletics.

This story is hilariously funny, but, at times, emotionally heartbreaking. This autobiography and self-help book serves as a source of motivation and provides life lessons to help other people achieve their highest hopes and dreams.

View a sneak preview of "The Power of Human Potential: It's In You," in a thought-provoking, short slide show, at: http://www.waynewicka.com/ or http://www.thepowerofhumanpotential.com/ at the bottom of the homepage.

*PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0129-itsinyou-300dpi.jpg .

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/seahawks-coach-pete-carroll-new-england-patriots-leave-lifetime-memories-former-new-york-jet-marine-wayne-wicka-2015-01-0129-003.shtml.