SAVANNAH, Ga. — Larry “Gator” Rivers, who helped integrate high school basketball in Georgia before playing for the Harlem Globetrotters and becoming a county commissioner in his native Savannah, died Saturday at age 73.
Rivers died from cancer, Chatham County Commission Chairman Chester Ellis told the Savannah Morning News. Campbell and Sons Funeral Home said Rivers died at a hospital in Savannah.
Rivers was a sophomore on the all-Black Beach High School team that won the first Georgia High School Association basketball tournament to include Black and white players in 1967. He blossomed into an all-state player, graduating from the Savannah high school in 1969 and going on to be a small college All-American at Moberly Junior College in Missouri and an all-conference guard at what is now Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph.
He went on to play and coach for 16 years with the Harlem Globetrotters, reuniting for a time with high school coach Russell Ellington.
Rivers once told WTOC-TV that during his tryout for the Globetrotters, team legend Marques Haynes led Rivers into a closet storing tables and folding chairs, handed Rivers a basketball and said “Let’s see you dribble around this.”
“So I was dribbling around chairs, under tables, doing anything I could do to impress him,” Rivers said.
Rivers came home to Savannah and got involved in the community, volunteering in schools, promoting the rebuilding of neighborhood basketball courts and opening the non-profit youth mentorship organization Gatorball Academy to teach basketball.
Rivers ran for the county commission in 2020 as a Republican and was elected without opposition after the Democratic nominee was disqualified over a previous felony conviction.
”I don’t know when we weren’t friends,” Ellis told WTOC-TV, calling Rivers “a legend.”
”That was a big part of him, giving to the children that’s behind him,” Ellis said. “Like he said, ‘Somebody gave to me, and so it’s my job and my responsibility to give back.’ And that’s going to be missing a whole lot.”
Rivers’ death brought condolences from U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, Savannah Mayor Van Johnson and others. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said Rivers “led a life of accomplishment and chose to spend much of that life serving the people of his community.”
Johnson wrote on social media that “Legends never die, so you will always be around, my friend,” adding in an official city statement that Rivers “never forgot Savannah or Beach High School and dedicated endless hours of mentoring and teaching the rules of basketball and life to scores of young people. For this, he will always be remembered.”
Funeral arrangements had not been announced Sunday.
HARTFORD, Conn. — A federal appeals court has reinstated a challenge to Connecticut’s policy of allowing transgender girls to compete in girls high school sports, two months after a three-judge panel upheld the rules.
The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York City said the full court will rehear the appeal of four cisgender runners who said they were unfairly forced to race against transgender athletes in high school competitions.
The court said in a decision Monday that a majority of its judges voted in favor of rehearing the appeal, a rare move by the court. The court did not say why it voted on whether to rehear the case, and none of the parties to the lawsuit requested a rehearing.
The court has become more conservative in recent years, with five of its 13 judges — excluding several senior judges — having been appointed by former President Donald Trump.
Christiana Kiefer, a lawyer with the conservative Alliance Defending Freedom, which represented the four Connecticut cisgender athletes, said the group was pleased by the court’s decision.
“Every woman deserves the respect and dignity that comes with having an equal opportunity to excel and win in athletics, and ADF remains committed to protecting the future of women’s sports,” Kiefer said in a statement.
Transgender athletes’ ability to compete in sports is the subject of a continuing national debate. Eighteen states have passed laws banning transgender women or girls in sports based on the premise it gives them an unfair competitive advantage.
The four cisgender runners filed a lawsuit in 2020 against the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference, the state’s high school sports governing body, as well as several local school districts.
They sought injunctions to bar enforcement of the state policy on transgender athletes and to remove records set by transgender athletes from the books between 2017 and 2020. They also sought money damages. All the student athletes involved in the lawsuit have since graduated.
In December, a three-judge panel said the four cisgender athletes lacked standing to sue — in part because their claims that they were deprived of wins, state titles and athletic scholarship opportunities were speculative.
CIAC officials declined to comment Tuesday. The organization has said its policy is designed to comply with a state law that requires all high school students be treated according to their gender identity. It also said the policy is in accordance with Title IX, the federal law that allows girls equal educational opportunities, including in athletics.
Two transgender sprinters at the center of the lawsuit — Terry Miller and Andraya Yearwood, from Bloomfield and Cromwell, respectively — frequently outperformed their cisgender competitors.
They were defended in the lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union, which said Tuesday that it looked forward to defending the state’s policy again.
“As the initial ruling found, cisgender girls lose nothing from the participation of transgender girls and Connecticut’s policy simply recognizes the right of all student athletes to equal participation and protection under Title IX,” Joshua Block, an attorney for the ACLU, said in a statement.
HARTFORD, Conn. — A federal appeals court on Friday dismissed a challenge to Connecticut’s policy of allowing transgender girls to compete in girls high school sports, rejecting arguments by four cisgender runners who said they were unfairly forced to race against transgender athletes.
A three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York City upheld a lower court judge’s dismissal of a lawsuit challenging the policy. The panel said the four cisgender athletes lacked standing to sue — in part because their claims that they were deprived of wins, state titles and athletic scholarship opportunities were speculative.
“All four Plaintiffs regularly competed at state track championships as high school athletes, where Plaintiffs had the opportunity to compete for state titles in different events,” the decision said. “And, on numerous occasions, Plaintiffs were indeed “champions,” finishing first in various events, even sometimes when competing against (transgender athletes).”
The judges added, “Plaintiffs simply have not been deprived of a ‘chance to be champions.’”
The Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Council argued its policy is designed to comply with a state law that requires all high school students be treated according to their gender identity. It also said the policy is in accordance with Title IX, the federal law that allows girls equal educational opportunities, including in athletics.
The American Civil Liberties Union defended the two transgender athletes at the center of the lawsuit — Terry Miller and Andraya Yearwood.
“Today’s ruling is a critical victory for fairness, equality, and inclusion” Joshua Block, a lawyer for the ACLU’s LGBTQ & HIV Project, said in a statement. “This critical victory strikes at the heart of political attacks against transgender youth while helping ensure every young person has the right to play.”
Transgender athletes’ ability to compete in sports is the subject of a continuing national debate. At least 12 Republican-led states have passed laws banning transgender women or girls in sports based on the premise it gives them an unfair competitive advantage.
Transgender rights advocates counter such laws aren’t just about sports, but another way to demean and attack transgender youth.
Christiana Kiefer, a lawyer with the conservative Alliance Defending Freedom who represented the four Connecticut cisgender athletes, said she and other alliance attorneys are considering how to respond, including possibly asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review Friday’s decision.
“Our clients, like all female athletes across the country, deserve fair competition,” Kiefer said in a phone interview. “And that means fair and equal quality of competition, and that just does not happen when you’re forced to compete against biological males in their sports.”
Kiefer added, “The vast majority of the American public recognizes that in order to have fair sports, we have to protect the female category, and I think you’re seeing that trend increasingly with states across the country passing laws to protect women’s sports. … This is certainly not the end of the road in the fight for fairness for female athletes.”
The plaintiffs sought injunctions to bar enforcement of the state policy on transgender athletes and to remove records set by transgender athletes from the books, as well as money damages.
In arguments before a federal judge in Connecticut in February 2021, Roger Brooks, another lawyer for the Alliance Defending Freedom, said Title IX guarantees girls “equal quality” of competition, which he said is denied by having to race people with what he described as inherent physiological advantages.
Brooks said the transgender sprinters improperly won 15 championship races between 2017 and 2020 and cost cisgender girls the opportunity to advance to other races 85 times.
Miller and Yearwood, the transgender sprinters from Bloomfield and Cromwell, respectively, frequently outperformed their cisgender competitors.
The plaintiffs competed directly against them, almost always losing to Miller and usually finishing behind Yearwood. One of the plaintiffs, Chelsea Mitchell of Canton High School, finished third in the 2019 state championship in the girls 55-meter indoor track competition behind Miller and Yearwood.
All the athletes have since graduated from high school.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The rulemaking arm of Tennessee’s high school sports oversight organization has made a change that allows student athletes to profit off their name, image and likeness.
A news release from the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association says its legislative council voted for the change on Thursday, effective immediately.
Students could receive payment as long it is not related to their performance, doesn’t suggest the endorsement or sponsorship of their school and doesn’t include the student in gear featuring the name or logo of their school. The change also says student athletes can get paid for giving lessons.
Nineteen other states allow high school athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness without affecting their eligibility to play in college.
The changes have meant elite prep athletes are now banking six and even seven figures before heading to college.
The wave of new rules allowing high schoolers to cash in on endorsements and other deals follows a decision by the NCAA in June 2021 that cleared the way for the deals for college athletes.
Some prep stars were already making moves in Tennessee. Shajai Jackson, a running back for Lakeway Christian Academy in White Pine, tweeted Thursday that he has struck an agreement with a local auto dealership.
ATLANTA — The parents of a Georgia high school basketball player who collapsed while practicing outdoors in sweltering heat and later died announced Tuesday that they have agreed to a $10 million settlement with the school district.
As part of the settlement, the Clayton County school system agreed to rename the gymnasium at Elite Scholars Academy for Imani Bell, who was a 16-year-old junior at the school when she died. A ceremony was set to be held Tuesday afternoon to commemorate that renaming, the family’s lawyers said.
Imani’s father, Eric Bell, called the renaming of the gym a “great honor,” but said the settlement is “bittersweet.”
“We’d trade everything to have her back here with us,” he said in a phone interview.
Imani collapsed on Aug. 13, 2019, after running up the football stadium steps during required conditioning drills for the girls’ basketball team, her family said in the wrongful death lawsuit filed against administrators at the school. The temperature was in the high 90s Fahrenheit (more than 35 degrees Celsius) at the time and the area was under a heat advisory.
Imani died later that day from heat-related cardiac arrest and kidney failure, the lawsuit said. An autopsy done by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation found that she had no preexisting conditions and her death was due solely to heatstroke caused by strenuous physical exertion in extreme temperatures, the family’s lawyers said.
Two coaches, Larosa Walker-Asekere and Dwight Palmer, were indicted in July 2021 on charges including murder and child cruelty in Imani’s death. That criminal case is ongoing.
Imani’s parents filed a wrongful death lawsuit in February 2021. Online court records show that suit was settled last month. An attorney for the family, L. Chris Stewart, said the significant settlement amount sends a message to other school districts.
“It sends a nationwide message to every school district and every athletic program … that the lives of our children matter over athletics, and every district needs to realize that no child should die from heat exhaustion,” he said. “We salute Clayton County for sending that message nationwide.”
The family has started the Keep Imani Foundation, which their lawyers said will be funded in part by funds from the settlement. Eric Bell said it will offer scholarships for students and will help schools get cold tubs to help prevent heat stroke deaths.
Bell said he wants to send a message to school officials: “Keep educating coaches, keep educating students about the dangers of heat and humidity, and try to be prepared for a situation like this.”
PHILADELPHIA — Three former police officers who were charged with killing an 8-year-old girl after they opened fire in the direction of a crowd leaving a high school football game in suburban Philadelphia pleaded guilty Thursday to 10 counts each of reckless endangerment.
The negotiated pleas included a dismissal of manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter charges against the three former Sharon Hill Borough officers — Sean Dolan, 26, Devon Smith, 35, and Brian Devaney, 42 — in the August 2021 death of Fanta Bility. Prosecutors said the plea deal was reached in consultation with the girl’s family, who said ending the case was necessary so relatives could start healing.
“The agony we feel constantly re-living the loss of our dear Fanta, who was just 8 years old when she was killed by Sharon Hill police officers, is impossible to describe with words,” Bility’s uncle Abu Bility read from a family statement after the hearing, describing the trauma her mother and siblings went through witnessing the shooting.
“After much prayer and discussion with our family, we determined that it was in our best interest for the district attorney to ensure that the police officers take responsibility for their actions, admit to their reckless conduct endangering many, and killing our Fanta,” he said.
A phone call to the law firm representing Devaney, Dolan and Smith was not returned late Thursday. The three will remain free on bail while awaiting a sentencing hearing scheduled for January. They were fired from the Sharon Hill Borough Police Department a few days after charges were recommended.
Their attorneys had sought several times unsuccessfully to have the manslaughter charges dropped. They argued in a September hearing that the men had not intended to harm anyone in the crowd and were being unfairly targeted because they were police officers.
The shooting happened after two teenagers fired shots at each other outside the football game and fled. The officers heard the shots and told other officers they believed the gunfire had come from a car that was driving toward them. Devaney was not wearing a body camera, and the other two officers did not turn their cameras on, investigators found.
The three fired 25 shots toward the car and the crowd of people leaving the game in the small borough near Philadelphia International Airport. Four people were wounded — three by police gunfire— and Bility was killed.
Ballistics testing could not determine which officer fired the shot that killed her, but a grand jury recommended that all three face charges.
Bility had attended the game with her mother and an older sister who was also shot but survived. Her family, who belongs to a community of immigrants from Guinea, described her as a sweet child who had a smile for everyone.
“Fanta’s death was a tragedy for her family, her friends, and for the entire community — and nothing that happened in the courtroom today can lessen the grief that we have all felt since that terrible night,” Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer wrote in an emailed statement.
The two teenagers who fired the initial shots were originally charged with murder in Bility’s death, but those charges were later dropped.
The Bility family has filed a federal lawsuit against Dolan, Devaney, Smith, and the Sharon Hill Borough Police Department.
TAIPEI, Taiwan — Eight-time NBA All Star Dwight Howard is headed to Taiwan to play for the Taoyuan Leopards in the island’s top division.
“I can’t wait to see the fans, eat the food and have the best time ever … and bring a championship,” the 36-year-old center said in a social media post.
Alongside baseball, basketball is the most popular sport in Taiwan, with both girls and boys high school championships broadcast island-wide.
Howard has collected league records with a clutch of teams, notably the Orlando Magic, and signed a one-year contract with the Los Angles Lakers in 2021.
The Leopards are among six teams in the T-1 league, which features numerous players from the U.S. and Europe.
The club did not provide details of the deal with Howard.
———
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A man died in a California shooting Friday night in a Sacramento parking lot after a high school football game, police said.
Investigators believe the shooting broke out after a disturbance involving about 20 people near the end of the game at Grant Union High School. Officers found a firearm and shattered glass in a school parking lot.
Police said the shooting victim — a man in his mid-20s — was able to get to a nearby hospital but later died.
Police provided no information on a suspect or motive.
The Sacramento Bee reported that about 2,000 people attended the game and police believe those involved in the disturbance were not students, though that information is preliminary.
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Any parent of an athlete knows how competitive high school sports can be and how upsetting it can be when your child doesn’t get playing time.
But parents at one metro Atlanta high school said their football program is recruiting and playing athletes who don’t even live in the district.
Some Douglasville parents are alleging that Olten Downs, head football coach at Alexander High School, is recruiting teens who don’t live in the district. One parent even admitted she is allowing a recruit to use her address, even though he does not live with her.
The Douglas County School System has confirmed an internal investigation was conducted. As a result, the district determined some conversations with prospective athletic parents had been “inappropriate” and said “appropriate corrective action” would be taken.
Recruiting allegations
Kimberly Churchill’s son has been playing football in Douglasville since he was old enough to walk.
“He started off on the peewee football team, playing rec and then when he got to high school, he started playing on the JV level and varsity level,” Churchill said.
As he entered junior year at Alexander High School, Churchill’s son had dreams of being a starter. But as the season unfolded, his mom said he was replaced by kids he had never seen in school before.
“One kid is driving an hour to school and an hour from school each day,” Churchill said.
After Churchill’s son quit the team, she sent a complaint to the Georgia High School Association (GHSA), which oversees extracurricular activities for nearly 500 public and private schools in Georgia, alleging Downs was “recruiting out-of-district players for his football team.”
After Churchill’s son quit the team, she sent a complaint to the Georgia High School Association or GHSA, alleging that Coach Olten Downs was “recruiting out of district players for his football team.”(Rachel Polansky)
Churchill is not the only Douglasville parent making these claims.
Another mother who, fearing backlash, did not want to be identified because her son still plays for Alexander, admitted she is allowing Downs to use her address for one of his recruits, even though the recruit does not live with her.
Downs, the mother said, “called me on the phone. He said, ‘I have a student that lives in Atlanta, and he wants to come out here to have a better life for himself and to play football and I was wondering if you would be okay allowing this kid to use your address?’
“I said, that’s fine,” the mother recounted. She said shedidn’t know at the time GHSA’s bylaws prohibited such an arrangement. “Even now, I don’t know if I’m gonna get in trouble,” she said. “I don’t know the ramifications.”
Downs did not respond to Atlanta News First Investigates’ emails. When asked directly about the allegations during halftime at Alexander High football game, Downs did not respond and ran off the field.
When Atlanta News First Investigates tried to get Coach Downs’ side of the allegations, he ran away.(WANF)
While Downs did not speak, another parent recorded a call between her and one of Downs’ assistant coaches. That call was shared with Atlanta News First Investigates.
During the call, the assistant coach asked if she’d provide her address for an incoming recruit to use.
“He needs to have the address; he can live with me. I have no problem with that but, if he has an address, he’ll be able to go to that school; he’ll be able to go to Alexander,” the coach said.
When the parent appeared to hesitate, the assistant coach added this: “I’m the type of person like you scratch my back, I scratch your back.” The mother who recorded the call took that to mean her son would be given more playing time.
“I don’t want any of the kids to get in trouble,” the mother said. “I just want it [recruiting] to stop happening.”
Recruiting or undue influence
The GHSA defines recruiting or undue influence as “the use of influence by any person connected directly or indirectly with a GHSA school to induce a student of any age to transfer from one school to another … for athletic or literary competition purposes.”
GHSA also has the ability to impose penalties including fines, probations, suspensions or forfeiture of games. That’s what happened in 2020 when south Georgia’s longtime football powerhouse, Valdosta High School, was hit with $7500 in fines for recruiting violations. Five of their players were deemed ineligible, they were made to forfeit season wins, and banned from playoffs.
Atlanta News First Investigates uncovered GHSA investigated 93 claims of recruiting or undue influence over the last three years. Only 23 of them resulted in disciplinary action.
Atlanta News First Investigates uncovered that GHSA investigated 93 claims of recruiting or undue influence over the last three years. Only 23 of them resulted in disciplinary action.
This handwritten list was provided by GHSA. (Rachel Polansky)
While accusations are common, GHSA Executive Director Robin Hines said his staff rarely has enough evidence to punish programs.
“You can’t really move forward if it’s not going to pass legal muster,” Hines said. “It’s a shame you have to look through that lens but if you can’t support it in court, then you probably don’t need to be moving forward.”
Atlanta News First Investigates also learned 13 employees make up GHSA’s office. Only one of them is responsible for investigating misconduct.
Nonetheless, Hines said his office is properly staffed. “Ninety-nine out of 100 times, it’s [complaints or allegations] usually by disgruntled members of the community that send those things. Some of them may turn out to be true but that’s few and far between.”
Hines also said when allegations are deemed credible, GHSA will send a “letter of inquiry” to the district and ask the school to conduct its own internal investigation.
When Atlanta News First Investigates asked if such an inquiry had been sent to Alexander High School, GHSA said it does “not comment on on going investigations.”
“I’ve complained,” Churchill said. “Other moms have complained. Again, nothing has been done.”
With one month left in the season, Churchill believes tactics like recruiting have taken the game out of athletes’ hands.
“It’s just a mess and it needs to stop,” Churchill said.
Local school system responds
Atlanta News First Investigates has requested additional complaints regarding Downs since February 2021 from the Douglas County School System. The system said the public records would cost $3,360. We reduced the scope, and the price tag still remains more than $3,000. Atlanta News First is continuing to follow up on that public records request.
Meanwhile, Atlanta News First Investigates also requested an interview with Trent North, the Douglas County School System superintendent. System spokesperson Portia Lake sent this statement:
TOLEDO, Ohio — Police in Ohio said three people were wounded in a shooting outside a high school football game Friday night.
A high school student and two adults were wounded and transported to area hospitals after being shot outside the Whitmer High School stadium in West Toledo around 9:30 p.m., WTOL-TV reported.
Police said the victims, who were note named, were expected to recover, WTOL reported
Police said two people are in custody following the shooting during the game between Whitmer and Central Catholic High School, WTOL reported.
The names of the suspects in custody were not immediately available.
Washington Local Schools spokesperson Katie Peters said in a statement that the three victims were the only people hurt during the shooting, the station reported.
“No guests were injured in the evacuation and we could not be prouder of our students, staff, Whitmer fans, and our guests from Central Catholic,” Peters said.
The school district’s security and screening measures were used during the event, Peters said.
It may be hard to pick out Ernestine Kennedy when she has her helmet on but that’s the way she likes it.She’s the only female on the Hoover High School football team and she says her teammates treat her like one of the guys.”When I’m on the field they don’t care. Once they see me start, they’re like ‘oh, she’s one of the boys,’” Kennedy shared.Not only does Kennedy play football but she does basketball and track as well.Her dedication to sports is one reason her coach says she’s an excellent role model to others on her team.”She definitely has a good head on her shoulders,” shared head football coach Theo Evans. “She’s staring off her high school career on a positive note.”Kennedy shares that she isn’t the first female football player at Hoover but she still wants others to join her.”Being the only girl on the team now is kind of lonely. So, I need some girl football players,” Kennedy said.
DES MOINES, Iowa —
It may be hard to pick out Ernestine Kennedy when she has her helmet on but that’s the way she likes it.
She’s the only female on the Hoover High School football team and she says her teammates treat her like one of the guys.
“When I’m on the field they don’t care. Once they see me start, they’re like ‘oh, she’s one of the boys,’” Kennedy shared.
Not only does Kennedy play football but she does basketball and track as well.
Her dedication to sports is one reason her coach says she’s an excellent role model to others on her team.
“She definitely has a good head on her shoulders,” shared head football coach Theo Evans. “She’s staring off her high school career on a positive note.”
Kennedy shares that she isn’t the first female football player at Hoover but she still wants others to join her.
“Being the only girl on the team now is kind of lonely. So, I need some girl football players,” Kennedy said.
Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association adopts GoFan digital ticketing to improve the state tournament fan experience and event management
Press Release –
updated: Sep 2, 2021
STEVENS POINT, Wis., September 2, 2021 (Newswire.com)
– GoFan and the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) announced today that they have entered into an agreement for GoFan to be the official digital ticketing partner for the WIAA state tournaments.
The transition to completely cashless systems and digital tickets for athletics has accelerated over the past year. The GoFan digital ticketing and event management platform has been adopted throughout the country as the faster, safer way for high school fans to purchase tickets and attend events.
GoFan delivers convenience and speed of entry for fans and helps reduce complexity and costs for schools to manage events. Financial transparency and reconciliation accuracy have been important factors for schools that adopt digital ticketing with GoFan.
“The WIAA believes that GoFan will improve the state tournament fan experience with regard to purchasing and redeeming tickets as well as making event management much more efficient,” said Stephanie Hauser, WIAA Executive Director. “We’re proud to partner with GoFan and look forward to offering WIAA state tournament events with digital ticketing.”
“We’re excited to launch our 38th state association partner with the WIAA and work alongside schools across Wisconsin,” said BJ Pilling, CEO of GoFan. “High school sports bring communities together, and GoFan is honored to be a part of that tradition.”
About GoFan
GoFan is the largest professional digital ticketing and event management system for high schools and the trusted solution for more than 250,000 events nationwide. Since 2001, GoFan has helped thousands of high schools across the country increase revenue, save time and reduce the hassle for their athletics and activities — no scanning, hardware or contact required. Visit get.gofan.co for more information.
About the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association
The WIAA, as defined by its Constitution, is a voluntary, unincorporated and nonprofit organization. The membership oversees interscholastic athletic programs for 516 senior high schools and 48 junior high/middle level schools in its membership. It sponsors 27 State Championship Tournaments for boys and girls. Visit wiaawi.org for more information.
DALLAS, August 15, 2018 (Newswire.com)
– Today two market leaders, Rebel Athletic and Eastbay, announced that they are joining forces to offer a groundbreaking, 360-degree uniform, accessory and equipment solution for all school team sports in the US, including dance and cheerleading.
As the exclusive custom cheerleading and dance uniform partner of Eastbay, only Eastbay school representatives will have access to the entire Rebel Athletic cheerleading and dance package, including custom uniforms, shoes and warm up gear, in districts serviced by Eastbay. In addition, Rebel Sales Reps will be able to offer a complete team sport solution, through Eastbay, to their customers.
“Rebel Athletic is redefining the game, creating looks and performance apparel that today’s cheer and dance athlete truly wants,” said Eastbay VP Sales Ken West. “Eastbay and Rebel are perfectly aligned partners. We are collectively dedicated to our deep connections with athletes, providing them with more dynamic experiences than ever before.”
Ken West , Eastbay VP of Sales
Rebel Athletic has built their reputation over the past five years designing and manufacturing custom and couture uniforms for the All Star Cheerleading market, in which they are now the undisputed leaders. They bring this same dedication to service, design, quality, value and choice to the school market, offering a fresh new alternative to schools across the United States.
Eastbay have been serving the dedicated, the driven, the focused and the elite school athlete for 35 years providing everything they need to excel, across every school sport with pro-grade athletic wear, footwear, and sports equipment.
Karen Aldridge, Founder and CEO of Rebel Athletic, said:
“We are excited to be the exclusive cheerleading uniform partner for Eastbay. We believe that schools everywhere, for the first time ever, now have a compelling and viable choice. We have built our reputation by putting the customer first, and are delighted to now be able to offer schools that same approach in partnership with Eastbay, a company built on the same principles and mission as us.”
Eastbay VP of Sales Ken West said:
“Rebel Athletic is redefining the game, creating looks and performance apparel that today’s cheer and dance athlete truly wants,” said Eastbay VP Sales Ken West. “Eastbay and Rebel are perfectly aligned partners. We are collectively dedicated to our deep connections with athletes, providing them with more dynamic experiences than ever before.”
About Eastbay: Eastbay is a Foot Locker Inc. company, established in Wausau, Wisconsin, in 1980 by two high school track coaches looking to supply their teams with performance cleats and product they couldn’t find in nearby sporting goods stores. They created a mail-order catalog and eventually a website with sports and athletic lifestyle products that found customers around the world. As a top-tier retailer of athletic shoes, apparel, and equipment, Eastbay is one of the world’s largest distributors of top performance brands including Nike, Jordan, adidas, Under Armour, New Balance, ASICS, Puma and many more. Eastbay fulfills more than 30,000 orders per day from its 500,000-square-foot warehouse. Eastbay has been part of the Foot Locker Inc. family since 1997. For more information about Eastbay, visit www.Eastbay.com.
Media Contact: Kyle Hahn Kyle.Hahn@Eastbay.com
About Rebel Athletic: Rebel Athletic is the original, and fastest growing, global luxury couture cheer and dance uniform, apparel and accessory company. Rebel offers the most highly customized and intricately detailed garments available in the industry. For more information on team uniform and accessory offerings visit www.RebelAthleticCheer.com. For more information on the Rebel Athletic retail line, visit www.RebelAthletic.com.
Media Contact: Abby Hoeffner Abby@RebelAthletic.com
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/CFHWEPEWSJCDJCA3BNPLH4SM5E.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/63EEWR3ZNFGMFKOVHCZS6UHN2Q.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/UN2DDS2LXZFHZPTK5LL4FOGKXM.jpg)
