Organization History:
Why Not Sports (WNS), is a youth serving educational based 501(c)(3) organization formed in 2000. We have touched the lives of over 9,500 youth (ages 13-22) across the nation through our three signature programs:
1. The Field Goals & Assists Program
2. The Sports Career Expo (NFL Super Bowl)
3. The Sports Career & College Expo (NCAA Men's Final Four)
WNS promotes academic and social excellence for students through career building and effective outreach programming, which has been designed to equip high school student athletes with the skills necessary to achieve academic, career, and social success beyond their years of playing interscholastic sports.
Mission
To Educate student athletes on the academic requirements needed to successfully transition from high school to college; and to Explore a myriad of career opportunities within the professional sports industry…Off the Field and Off the Court!
Vision
To Empower student athletes to achieve academic excellence and pursue career and social success.
Program Goals
To Enable student athletes to achieve excellence through career building, mentoring, character development, and academic readiness.
The Sports Career Expo is a national campaign that enlists professionals from all aspects of the sports industry to inform, to educate, and to enlighten student athletes on athletic & non-athletic sports career options.
This distinctive one-day sports career conference, launched in January 2000, offers students an inside look at the sacrifice, dedication and discipline it takes to perform successfully as a sports professional. As a result of the recognition given to The Sports Career Expo as a highly effective educational program, Why Not Sports was chosen to produce the National Football League's “Careers in Sports” lecture series as an extension of the 2006 Sports Career Expo.
Our Field Goals & Assists Program utilizes the student athletes' interest in sports as a tool to motivate them to place their highest priorities as an athlete on academics and in obtaining the life skills necessary to allow them to be admitted to college, to graduate and to become productive citizens.
Through a structured curriculum and a series of speakers our program participants come to clearly understand the “opportunities” that are often presented to student athletes who are successful in balancing their academic and social situations.
Primary audiences are high school and college student athletes between the ages of 13-22. Our secondary audience are students and individuals who are interested in pursuing alternative careers opportunities within sports industry.
Past Prominent Speakers:
Since the inception of the Sports Career Expo, several prominent sports professionals have supported the mission of Why Not Sports, Inc. by offering their time and expertise. Kenny Smith, of TNT Sports, Wes Welker, of the New England Patriots; John Shumate, Gatorade; Cynthia Cooper, Houston Comets; Howard White, Vice President of Jordan Brand, Roxanne Jones, Senior Editor for ESPN the Magazine; Arthur Blank, Owner of the Atlanta Falcons; Lennox Lewis, Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World; Asante Samuels, of the Eagles; Antonio Pierce, of the New York Giants; Braylon Edwards, of the New York Jets, and many others.
Past Sponsors Participating Corporations:
New York Giants, Green Bay Packers, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, Canon USA, Inc., Frito Lay, Gatorade, University of Houston Athletics, Axcess Sports & Entertainment, Players, Inc., National Football League.
Program Partners:
Atlanta Public Schools, Dekalb County Schools, National Football League, East Lake and Carver Family YMCA, National Football League, NCAA.
Nenette A. Chambliss, CHES
Founder/CEO
Cynthia L. Ware
Production Manager
Paul R. Savage
Programs & Operation Manager
Executive Officers:
William A. Smith, Senior Director of Finance and Administration
Detroit Riverfront Conservancy
Board President
Deanna Hamilton, Circle One, Inc.
Vice President
Vanessa Lipske, Power Flow Media
Secretary
Marcella Johnson, Emory University
Treasurer
Board of Directors:
Russell Clark
General Manager
Alexander Sports Properties, LLC
Walter Stith
Former NFL and CFL Player
Financial Advisor, Morgan Stanley
Adolpho A. Birch III
Senior Vice President Labor Policy & Player Development
National Football League
Violet Lewis
Principal
Lennox Lewis Enterprises
Sam Perkins
Retired NBA Player
Perkins, Inc.
Youth Advisory Board:
Rashad Ponder
Cedar Grove High School
Student Athlete
Xavier L. Darity
Fort Valley University
WHY NOT SPORTS
P.O. BOX 3379
ATLANTA, GA 30303
770 323-8280
info_whynotsports.org
