ALUMNIHIGHLIGHTS
From Humble Beginnings to Entrepreneurial Heights: The Story of David Lee Cook, III ’81 The story of David Lee Cook, III appears in “The Sport Business Handbook,” considered by many to be the most influential sports book written in the last 50 years. Chapter 7, entitled “A Mindset DAVE COOK WITH “THE SPORT BUSINESS HANDBOOK of Authenticity: The First Step in a Successful Sports Business ‘’ HERALDED AS THE MOST INFLUENTIAL SPORTS BOOK Venture,” includes Dave’s story, OR THIS CENTURY. “From Humble Beginnings to PGA Concessionaire.” Jack Nicklaus and Cal Ripken, Jr. are also included in this chapter. Cook ‘s company, the Americana Capital Group, is widely regarded as one of the best in the golf/sports concessions business. From humble beginnings, Cook went directly into the U.S. Marine Corps from high school because he could not afford college. He entered the Marine Corps career and earned the rank of sergeant before he reached the age of 20. He was diagnosed with PTSD and left the military. Cook attended undergraduate school at Los Angeles City College and Pepperdine University. While in California, he had the good fortune to work at Capitol Records, where he met DAVE COOK AND RICHARD many stars, including Natalie WILLIAMS WATCHING VENUS Cole, Nancy Wilson and Peabo AND SERENA COMPETE AT THE US OPEN. Bryson, the latter of whom he considers a close friend to this day. When his dear mother became ill, he returned to North Carolina where he entered the NCCU School of Law. Cook said that he regrets that she did not live to see him walk across the stage to accept his law degree, but remains grateful to Professor Charles Smith and Daniels Sampson and Dean Harry Groves for their support and encouragement in his darkest days.
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As a father and husband, his resources were limited and he needed to earn more income. According to Cook, when he discovered that sports concessions/merchandising was DAVE COOK AND WIFE FRAN a S400 billion business and that WHO ARE BOTH KNOWN FOR DAVE AND FRAN’S SOUL FOOD. no Black-owned businesses were involved, he started a small a sports marketing venture and began work with the Atlantic Coast Conference. He remains thankful to then-Commissioner Gene Corrigan, his advisor Jon LeCrone and assistant Fred Barakat, who gave him an opportunity to be a part of the Tournament. He was fortunate to receive many other opportunities because his friendship with high profile coaches, such as Duke University coach Mike Krzyzewski. His ultimate break came when his relationship with the owners led to a concession contract with the National Football League’s Carolina Panthers. He then expanded his career to include golf concessions and even horseracing, providing services to the Kentucky Derby. When the National Basketball Association formed the Charlotte Hornets, said Cook, he was the sole minority company hired and was offered a concession partnership. He remains DAVE COOK AND BILLIONAIRE honored to cater for Hornets AND DALLAS MAVERICKS owners Michael Jordan and Bob OWNER MARK CUBAN AT THE NBA ALLSTAR GAMES IN 2019. Johnson and is proud that the partnership introduced him to Hornets President and Chief Operating Officer and fellow NCCU School of Law alum Fred Whitfield.
DAVE COOK AT THE TOURNAMENT OF THE ROSES, PICTURED IN FRONT OF THE ROSE BOWL.
As he reflects on his journey to countless venues (including 17 trips to the NCAA’s Rose Bowl), many connections with the rich and famous, and his passion for his company, he thinks, “Unbelievable.”
