The Sideliner
Issue 2 Inside this Issue Letter from CEO
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Volunteering
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Devante’s Story
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Athlete of the Month 4
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Hole in One
iding Athletes raised more than $500,000 dollars at the Above the Par golf scramble. The golf scramble was held on April 19, 2014, at Tulsa Southern Hills. Fifteen teams participated. Celebrity participants included Scott Brooks, Rickie Fowler, Brandon Weeden and Kevin Durant. Bank of Oklahoma and Devon Energy were the title sponsors for the event. Both companies provided volunteers to work the event along with donations for the silent auction. Bank of Oklahoma Chairman, Marc Maun, participated in the golf tournament and placed fifth. “We are excited about Above the Par’s success in its inaugural year, and our partnership with the organization will continue to support athletes from across Oklahoma,” Maun said. The highest bidding item was a suite for an Oklahoma City Thunder playoff game donated by John Griffiths. The lot sold for $6,855 to Amber and Simon Morton. Other notable donors included an autographed OSU football donated by Brandon and Melanie Weeden. CEO Jordan Leatherman was pleased by the turnout of the first fundraiser for Aiding Athletes.
“The support we have received from around the state has been overwhelming,” Leatherman said. “From volunteers to former athletes assisting with clinics and fundraising, I am humbled through their efforts.” Stacy McGee was announced as the official ambassador for Aiding Athletes at the golf scramble. McGee is from Muskogee, Okla., where he was a fouryear starter for the Muskogee Roughers. McGee continued his career at the University of Oklahoma and in 2013 completed his rookie season with the Oakland Raiders. “I was honored and jumped at the chance to support Aiding Athletes when Jordan approached me this past winter,” McGee said. “The passion she has for student athletes is something I have always admired, and I believe in this program.” The total amount raised at the Above the Par golf scramble was $532,146. “We are thrilled to exceed our goal for the event and look forward to having a successful year in 2014,” Leatherman said.
Page 2 Coach’s Corner
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ow! The Above the Par event exceeded our fundraising goal of $500,000 with the help of our generous donors and volunteers. This is going to be an awesome year for Aiding Athletes. As we approach the summer months, we are beginning to gear up for our next season. In 2013 we served an average of 60 student athletes through our After the Huddle program partnership with Muskogee Public Schools. The After the Huddle program is expanding to three more schools in 2014. I would like to welcome Stacy McGee as our first ambassador for Aiding Athletes. He is an outstanding athlete. Stacy was a two-sport letterman in high school and understands the importance of balancing sports and schoolwork. We both attended Muskogee High School, where
he played football and wrestled. He received playing time as a rookie with the Oakland Raiders in 2013. Aiding Athletes owes its success to the wonderful volunteers who spend their time coordinating the After the Huddle programs and worked the golf scramble. We have a core group of 15 volunteers who dedicate their time to enriching the lives of our student athletes. We are still accepting volunteers before the season begins. I appreciate your time and passion you share with an organization that means so much to me. Let’s continue to strive to encourage our student-athletes to succeed beyond the field through academic achievement. Until next time, Jordan Leatherman CEO
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My brother and I at the MHS opener
Page 3 How You Can Help
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fter the Huddle is held four times a week at the Ron D. Milam Memorial Gym and Muscogee Creek Nation Indian Bowl. Aiding Athletes is accepting volunteers to assist with the After the Huddle program. Aiding Athletes serves the Muskogee School district grades seventh through 12th. Volunteers can help by preparing and serving the meals to athletes or tutoring after practice. Tutoring offered during After the Huddle includes math, ACT prep, science, English and honor classes. Tutors must have all necessary credentials when applying. Businesses can donate to Aiding Athletes two ways: a monetary donation or providing after-practice
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meals. Meal sponsorship for the spring is provided; however, summer and fall sponsorship has not been filled. Aiding Athletes’ goal is to expand to four school districts by fall 2014. Donors and volunteers are an integral part of Aiding Athletes success. Volunteers and donors will receive the monthly newsletter and two tickets to the Above the Par golf scramble. Donors will be entered to win two tickets for a Thunder game. Donation membership levels are up to $500; fan club $500-$1,500; VIP and above $1500; coaches. Donations can be made at www. aidingathletes.org under the donations tab. Donations can also be mailed to 193 Chandler Rd. Muskogee, OK, 74403.
Devante’s Story
through the students at Muskogee High. e wakes up Monday at 5:30 a.m. to go to basketball “My passion for student-athletes began when my practice then school then another basketball practice younger brother started playing sports, and I always knew and arrives at work by 5 p.m. Muskogee was the place I wanted to begin my nonprofit,” Devante Brown is a junior who works to support his Leatherman said. family and is captain of the basketball team at Muskogee Aiding Athletes is looking for volunteers to help with High School. What is surprising tutoring and serving meals to athletes. about Brown is that he leads the The organization’s first fundraiser, state in assists and 3’s this season; Above the Par, is a golf scramble and he is also a principle’s honor roll “Aiding Athletes has silent auction at Tulsa Southern Hills. member. Brown recently scored a inspired me to be the best Aiding Athletes recently partnered 28 on his ACT and is receiving offers with Oklahoma City Thunder coach in all that I do” from NCAA Division I basketball Scott Brooks. Brooks is scheduled programs. to participate in the golf scramble “Aiding Athletes was a huge with Kevin Durant, Brandon Weeden part in turning around my grades,” and Rickie Fowler. Volunteers are needed to help with Brown said. “I struggled last year because tutoring was only registration and hospitality services throughout the day. offered during practice and when I worked.” Angela Brown, mother of Devante, is thankful for Aiding Athletes is a nonprofit organization that has the services Aiding Athletes provides for her children. partnered with Muskogee Public Schools to provide tutoring “The organization has provided so much to my and meals to athletes after practice. The program is called children this semester and has improved their study habits After the Huddle and works directly with coaches and and grades,” Angela said. students to schedule tutoring after practice when normal Six members of the team will be honored as tutoring is no longer available. Oklahoma Academic All-State recipients at tonight’s game Muskogee Public Schools Superintendent Mike against the Union Redskins. The basketball team has Garde is pleased with the new partnership. one of the highest team GPAs in Oklahoma. Devante is “Aiding Athletes came to us with a plan to help our receiving All-State honorable mention but has a goal to be students, and the success they have with our athletes has Academic All-State in 2015. been phenomenal,” Garde said. “Aiding Athletes has inspired me to be the best Aiding athletes began in 2014 with a mission to in all that I do, which is why I plan to attend college on an enrich the lives of student athletes by helping athletes academic and athletic scholarship,” Devante said. succeed on and off the field. CEO Jordan Leatherman grew up in Muskogee and wanted to give back to the community
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Athlete of the Month Adonis Freeman Position: Guard GPA: 3.68 Classification: Junior Favorite Subject: Geometry Involvement: National Honor Society, Student Council, Baseball, Football and Jazz Band Achievements: Honor Roll, Academic All-State, Vype’s Player of the Week and Muskogee Phoenix Offensive Player of the Year
Upcoming Events Coaches Clinic at Oral Roberts University
June 14
Volunteer Training at Muskogee Civic Center
July 26
Grant Application Due Aug. 1 After the Huddle Aug. 11