Varsity Spirit’s Post

[Pictured] The moment Jon realized he was not going to be a pro athlete... The value of coaching and a $1,151 giveaway 👇 I was hopping with excitement to be #8 on the Zeeland Coach Pitch Baseball team because I was 8 years old. Coach Pitch Baseball is where 7 and 8 year athletes can advance in their baseball or softball skillset. It offers an environment where the athelete receives gentle pitches from their coach rather than an opposing player. This model allows them to gain the basis for more advanced competition. Giving a young athlete the opportunity to hit the ball in a game scenario (or strike out in a game scenario) is crucial for the next steps in their development. ⚾️ 🧢 The coach watches each player, gives them pointers for their next at-bat, and participates in the game along with them to an appropriate degree. 🔒 Funding your mission seems like an advanced competition. Should you try AI-enabled copywriting? How's the CTR on your email automations? Is your lapsing supporter segment being re-engaged? What about the talent pipeline? My partner Evan Cox and I have been in your chair. We started Strategicfundraisingplan[dot]com because organizations kicking off their individual supporter engagement plans are overwhelmed with the options. 👀 👀 Clients of ours have: raised their TWO largest ever donations, paid off their investment our Custom Strategic Fundraising Plan package within 3 days of launch through securing a multi-year commitment, and doubled the number of their year end gifts with conducting an effective matching campaign. In the theme of athletic endeavor, we are giving away free coaching and copies of our Strategic Fundraising Plan template to the organizations who place first and second in our March Madness Bracket challenge! (If you're like me and don't have a CLUE about march madness brackets, we're also giving a $100 donation to the organization that has the last place bracket.) Here's the link to fill out the bracket! https://lnkd.in/euqe22K6

Want to know How to Make Money Beyond Registrations? Check out this blog for examples on how to make money through sponsorships, donations, and shirt sales. https://lnkd.in/dcFWXh8T #Sponsorships #RaceRevenue #Donations #SponsorValue #MakeMoney

In 10 years' time I- - Signed a 3 yr-$1.45m contract at 21 years old. - Was fired after receiving less than $24k of those dollars. - Was fired/released 7 times. - Married my best friend: Taylor Copeland - Have had the pleasure of raising two amazing boys and accomplished my personal goal of making sure they saw me play multiple games in the NFL. - Was out of the league in 2014 into 2015-down to $243 in my bank account and got a once in a lifetime shot at the Vet Combine to turn it all around.  - Co-founded a non-profit with my wife, and built a great team that is projected to cross over the $1m mark in donations by the end of this year, Beyond The Basics, Inc. - Became an Ivy League Professor 6 years ago, teaching real life lessons & money concepts (Life 101) at the University of Pennsylvania. - Scaled that course to an accredited one for high schoolers through collaborative & strategic partnerships. - Starred in a Top 10 Netflix Real Estate show called "Buy My House". -Became the first undrafted athlete across the four major sports to be a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree. - Had 7 surgical procedures. - Spoke or appeared in 125+ conferences, Fortune 500 corporations, universities, pro & college sport teams associations, & media publications. …All while training 6+hours a day in the offseason, staying hydrated, and chasing down your favorite quarterback on Sundays, Mondays and sometimes Thursdays. Since then, I co-founded Athletes.org to give younger versions of myself the blueprints to create the lives they want along with the tools to help them DO it earlier. Free contract reviewal, second medical opinions, mental wellness resources, and advocating for equitable athlete compensation. Along with benefits and protection from the NCAA, conferences, and the institutions they put their bodies on the line for each and every week. In other words- we are trying to make more millionaires. Moral of the story- this week is just the beginning. Use the NFL and your talent to create the life you want and although the business will get to you- do your best to keep a strong perspective and smile throughout the journey. Remember- despite how it may feel at times, you are living the life you prayed for. Not many people can ever say that. Good luck- if I or Athletes.org can ever be helpful- reach out. To hear more about my journey and the money lessons learned along the way purchase my first book- "Your Money Playbook" at the link below! https://lnkd.in/eRAVfiW6

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

🏆 The University of Tampa Club Lacrosse team is showing us how it’s done! They’ve launched a competition among their players to see who can sell the most hats through their Signature team store. The prize? A reduction in dues for the season. 🙌 Here’s how they’re maximizing their partnership with Signature to drive donations without any inventory risk: ❌ Problem: Club teams face constant pressure to raise funds, cover expenses, and keep player dues manageable. Traditional fundraising can be time-consuming and often involves taking on the risk of inventory that might not sell. ✅ Solution: By partnering with Signature, the University of Tampa Club team set up a simple yet effective competition, leveraging their custom hats to drive sales. Players compete to sell the most hats, using their own networks and social media to spread the word—all while avoiding the upfront costs and hassle of managing inventory. The players are motivated, the team raises funds without any financial risk, and the winner gets a well-deserved reduction in dues. It’s a win-win that keeps the Club Director focused on the game, not the fundraising grind. Plus, it’s an easy, scalable model that any club or youth team can adopt! 🚀 This is the power of partnership—raising funds creatively, motivating players, and keeping club sports accessible for everyone. Huge shoutout to the Benjamin French and University of Tampa Club team for setting the example and leading this effort . Let’s keep innovating and making sports fun, affordable, and sustainable. #Fundraising #ClubSports #SignatureLocker #TeamStores #YouthSports #UniversityOfTampa

Ever wondered how non-profit sports bodies conquer big dreams with small wallets? Dive in as I unravel the playbook. Strategic planning in non-profit sports associations often presents complex hurdles, such as navigating limited resources and managing competing priorities. These challenges can impede progress and hinder the organisation's ability to achieve its overarching goals. To overcome these obstacles, it's crucial to establish a comprehensive strategic planning framework. Begin by defining a clear vision and mission statement that encapsulates the organisation's values and aspirations. Involve key stakeholders, including board members, staff, coaches, and athletes, in the planning process to ensure diverse perspectives are considered and buy-in is achieved. This collaborative approach fosters a sense of ownership and commitment to the strategic objectives. Understanding the landscape in which the association operates, leaders can identify strategic priorities that align with the organization's mission and leverage its competitive advantages. Once strategic priorities are identified, it's essential to allocate resources judiciously to initiatives that yield the highest impact. This may involve reallocating budgets, securing additional funding through sponsorships or grants, or leveraging partnerships with other organizations. Regularly evaluate progress against defined objectives, using key performance indicators to measure success and adapt strategies as needed. By maintaining flexibility and agility in the strategic planning process, sports associations can navigate challenges effectively and drive sustainable growth. #SportsBIz #StrategicPlanning #OrganizationalAlignment

LinkedIn friends - I'm sharing an incredible initiative by First Tee Western New York: the "Help Drive the Future" campaign! First Tee Western New York has been making a profound impact on the lives of young individuals through the game of golf, fostering essential life skills and character development. Now, they are gearing up for an even brighter future with the launch of their latest campaign. https://lnkd.in/eSbwAD3E More about "Help Drive the Future:" This campaign is not just about golf; it's about investing in the potential of our youth and empowering them to excel both on and off the course. First Tee Western New York aims to raise awareness and support to expand their reach, enabling more young minds to benefit from the transformative power of golf. -Scholarship Programs   - Girls Golf Program -Junior Coach Program  - Life Skills and Leadership Academy Whether you're a passionate golfer, a community advocate, or someone who believes in the power of education through sports, there are countless ways to get involved. Share this post, spread the word, or consider making a contribution to support the growth of this impactful program. Golf is more than just a sport; it's a vehicle for character development, resilience, and building lifelong friendships. By supporting First Tee Western New York, you're not just investing in golf; you're investing in the future leaders and changemakers of our community. Let's come together as a community and rally behind First Tee Western New York's "Help Drive the Future" campaign. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of young individuals and help shape a brighter, more empowered future. Like golf? It's worth a moment of your time to learn more. Thank you. #FirstTeeWNY #HelpDriveTheFuture #YouthDevelopment #GolfForGood #CommunityImpact #EmpowerTheFuture

Betting on sports, while popular, can be a minefield for not-for-profits. Exercise caution and due diligence when considering sports betting as a fundraiser. Learn more today on reacpa.com! #ReaCPA #Fundraising

Betting on sports, while popular, can be a minefield for not-for-profits. Exercise caution and due diligence when considering sports betting as a fundraiser. Learn more today on reacpa.com! #ReaCPA #Fundraising

I am thrilled to share with you the incredible initiative by First Tee Western New York: "Help Drive the Future" Campaign! First Tee Western New York has been making a profound impact on the lives of young individuals through the game of golf, fostering essential life skills and character development. Now, they are gearing up for an even brighter future with the launch of their latest campaign. https://lnkd.in/eSbwAD3E "Help Drive the Future" This campaign is not just about golf; it's about investing in the potential of our youth and empowering them to excel both on and off the course. First Tee Western New York aims to raise awareness and support to expand their reach, enabling more young minds to benefit from the transformative power of golf. -Scholarship Programs   - Girls Golf Program -Junior Coach Program  - Life Skills and Leadership Academy Whether you're a passionate golfer, a community advocate, or someone who believes in the power of education through sports, there are countless ways to get involved. Share this post, spread the word, or consider making a contribution to support the growth of this impactful program. Golf is more than just a sport; it's a vehicle for character development, resilience, and building lifelong friendships. By supporting First Tee Western New York, you're not just investing in golf; you're investing in the future leaders and changemakers of our community. Let's come together as a community and rally behind First Tee Western New York's "Help Drive the Future" Campaign. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of young individuals and help shape a brighter, more empowered future. #FirstTeeWNY #HelpDriveTheFuture #YouthDevelopment #GolfForGood #CommunityImpact #EmpowerTheFuture