During the Summer of 2021, 10 Game Changers participated in a two month internship with Wilson Sporting Goods and their activation during the Dreamville Chi-League powered by Wilson.
Wilson Returns to Provide Experience for Future Leaders in Sports Business
Game Changers will support projects with The Dreamville Chi-League Powered by Wilson.
Atlanta, GA – Today, The Winning Edge Leadership Academy announced ten Game Changers that make up the second cohort for the Gigs for Game Changers (G4G) initiative with Chicago-based Wilson Sporting Goods. This diverse cohort of student-athletes and young professionals will work remotely and on location in Chicago to support The Dreamville Chi-League powered by Wilson. After a four-year hiatus, Dreamville Records and Wilson have come together to revive one of basketball’s most celebrated competitions in Chicago, the landscape for Game Changers completing projects in marketing, operations, communications, and social responsibility.
In addition to creating projects surrounding the summer Pro-Am tournament, Wilson mentors and Dreamville employees will engage Game Changers as they participate in career and professional development content including effective networking, compelling presentations, professional dining, best practices for social media, resume writing, maximizing their digital presence, interview prep and candid discussions with industry professionals on growing a successful career in sports business. The Winning Edge and Wilson will also collaborate on community events including a career panel and town hall.
Executive Director of The Winning Edge Corinne Milien said of the partnership:“Wilson returning this summer shows their continued commitment to promote diversity in sport business by providing the next generation of leaders access to mentorship, networking and workforce training. This unique experience will engage, empower, and elevate a diverse pool of talent as they continue or begin their career in the industry.”
The G4G: Wilson Summer 2021 cohort features student-athletes and young professionals representing nine schools. Three of the 10 Game Changers are currently in graduate school and one is competing professionally overseas.
G4G: Wilson Summer 2021 Cohort
Communication & Social Media
Taya Reimer
Univ. of Notre Dame/Michigan State, Basketball
Julian Short
Indiana University East, Basketball
Corporate & Social Responsibility
Timothy Harris
Loyola University Chicago, Track & Field
Elijah Morgan
University of Notre Dame, Basketball
Event Operations
Quinton Pryor
Valencia College
David Jean-Baptiste
Univ. of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Basketball
Marketing Strategy
Sydney Wood
Northwestern University, Basketball
Jarrin Randall
Davenport University, Basketball
Storytelling Through Product
Kris Wooten
Elon University, Basketball
Jordan Haywood
Elon University, Track & Field
About The Dreamville Chi-League Powered by Wilson:
Known to bring together current NBA stars, former collegiate standouts and local high school legends, the NBA-sanctioned pro-am will feature a men’s bracket consisting of eight 10-player teams in a single-elimination tournament hosted at Chicago State on Sunday, Aug. 8, Aug. 15 and Aug. 22. For the first time, Chi-League will include a women’s bracket comprised of four 10-player teams that will play the final two weekends, following the same format.
When planning the comeback, allyship through the power of sport was equally as important as continuing Chi-League’s on-court traditions. Through the new Chi-League, Wilson will work alongside Dreamville to provide the opportunity to build bonds with its local Chicago basketball community in multiple ways:
Wilson and Dreamville will co-host youth clinics each Saturday of the league, working with local trainers and Chi-League coaches at the South Side YMCA (63rd St. & Stony Island Ave.)
The Winning Edge will facilitate a Town Hall to build a long-term relationship with the local community and enable allyship through action.
Local black-owned businesses from the surrounding neighborhoods will be engaged for on-site concessions and entertainment.
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To play in The Dreamville Chi-League Powered by Wilson email Jobba Maxey: jobbajordan@gmail.com
Wilson Contact – Sarah Houseknecht: sarah.houseknecht@wilson.com.
