Scholar-Baller™ in the News

April 2008
Scholar-Baller™ team to present at Commission on Athletics (COA) Conference

Co-Founder(s) Dr. C. Keith Harrison and Cliff Parks Jr. will be presenting “Scholar-Baller™” at the COA Conference on April 3^rd, 2008. For more information, please visit http://www.coasports.org/coa_board.asp


March 2008

Scholar-Baller™ team to present at American Educational Research Association (AERA)

On March 26-30^th, Drs. Eddie Comeaux and C. Keith Harrison, co-founders of the SIG (Research Focus on Education and Sport) will be leading two sessions at the annual meeting in New York. Dr. C. Keith Harrison will be presenting “Tug-of-War: An Investigation of Academic and Athletic Motivation at Scholar-Baller Universities” along with Janet Rasmussen from University of Central Florida. Dr. Comeaux will be a discussant in another session with research on education and sport.

Commission on Athletics (COA) State Championship

On March 16, 2008, Dr. C. Keith Harrison will be handing out Scholar-Baller™ incentives to the Championship winners and runner-up teams who have the highest GPAs. Scholar-Baller™ is in its 3^rd year of a former partnership with the COA. See SB Images from last year's photos.

Long Beach State University Scholar-Baller™ Celebration!

On March 10, 2008, Dr. C. Keith Harrison will be recognizing the outstanding Scholar-Ballers™ at Long Beach State University . Dr. Harrison will also moderate a panel that includes all former Division I basketball players. The panelist includes Dr. Letisha O. Seguira (UC-Irvine), Marlon Wadlington J.D. (Gonzaga), Kevin Holland, B.A. (DePaul). Dr. John Hamilton, instructor of the Scholar-Baller™ class, will also be recognized for his educational leadership with the partnership between Scholar-Baller™ and the Bickerstaff Success Center. Special thanks to Dr. Doug Robinson, VP of Student Services for sponsoring this academic and athletic initiative.

February 2008

Scholar-Baller™ recognizes University of Central Florida's Multicultural Academic and Support Services (MASS) students with a 4.0 GPA

On February 7, 2008, Co-Founder Dr. C. Keith Harrison recognized eight outstanding students in the Multicultural Academic and Support Services (MASS) program who achieved a 4.0 during the fall semester at UCF. Each student received a Scholar-Baller™ hat as a token of appreciation for completing their fall semester with a perfect GPA.

Scholar-Baller™ acknowledged at CHAMPS/Life Skills Conference

On February 3-5th, 2008, CHAMPS/Life Skills hosted a conference for student-athletes who are developing their career goals, education skills and sportsmanship. The Scholar Baller™ program was mentioned during a group skit performance by the life skills counselors. The plot of the skit was for the blind student-athletes wondering around aimlessly and in order for them to see again a counselor had to implement the “cool” programs. Some of the programs mentioned during the skits were career advice and career development which established the CHAMPS advisory committee. Scholar-Baller™ was acknowledged in the academics session in which they stated, “The Scholar-Baller™ program is a great way to show student-athletes it’s cool to be smart”. A staff member from Ohio University gave the presentation about Scholar-Baller™. 

January 2008

Scholar-Baller™ presents at Why Not Sports Inc. Sports Career Expo

On January 31, 2008, Co-Founder Jean Boyd had to opportunity to present Scholar-Baller™ at the 2008 "Why Not Sports" Sports Career Expo. He discussed the Scholar-Baller™ program, its purpose, mission and goals.

Arizona State University recognizes Softball Scholar-Ballers™

ASU Sun Devils honored Scholar-Baller™ Women’s softball team for those who accumulated a GPA between 3.0-3.6. See http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/011608aaa.html for more information.

ASU Sun Devils Women's Baseball Team featured in ESPN News with Scholar-Baller. Move the cursor over the video to view!

March 2007

Scholar-Baller™ presents at the “35^th ANNIVERSARY OF TITLE IX CELEBRATED WITH CONFERENCES FOR ACADEMIA AND LEGAL PROFESSIONALS” in Cleveland, Ohio

Co-Founder Dr. C. Keith Harrison lectured about how women are key examples of the Scholar-Baller™concept which is to compete not only in sports, but also in a classroom setting. Scholar-Baller™ women play an integral part in the Scholar-Baller™ movement.

University of Akron hosted "Scholar-Baller™ and Faculty Appreciation Day"

University of Akron recognized the Scholar-Ballers™on "Scholar-Baller™ and Faculty Appreciation Day" to show their support to the organization and continue to uphold the Scholar-Baller™movement. 

February 2007

Scholar-Baller™ presented at the National Consortium for Academics and Sports (NCAS) Conference

The Scholar-Baller™ team had the opportunity to present at the NCAS Conference. The team had an opportunity to introduce the concepts of Scholar-Baller™ and the theoretical analysis of what a Scholar-Baller™ portrays. Guest speakers included Dr. C. Keith Harrison, Mr. Jean Boyd, Mr. Dave Heikkinen and Ms. Nicole Bracken.

July 20, 2006
 
University of Toronto, University of British Columbia Commit to Scholar-Baller
 
The University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia have agreed to participate in the Scholar-Baller program, which was created in the United States and supported by the NCAA.  . These two schools become the first Canadian schools to participate in the program.  Dr. C. Keith Harrison, a Scholar-Baller co-founder,  spent time at both institutions as a visiting scholar to research how Canadian student-athletes are socialized in higher education with a model much different that the United States in terms of revenue collegiate sports.

July 11, 2006
 
La Habra High School Commits to Scholar-Baller
 
La Habra High School Football Coach and Teacher Frank Mazzotta Jr. had agreed to participate with Scholar-Baller and reward its student-athletes with a gpa of 3.0 or better during a recent report card period with a Scholar-Baller patch for their game-day uniforms.  La Habra High School is located in Orange County, California.

July 11, 2006
 
Approval Received for California High Schools to Wear the Scholar-Baller™  Patch on Uniforms
 
In a conference call today today between Cliff Parks of Scholar-Baller, Paul Castillo and Dr. Jim Staunton, it was agreed that the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), the governing body for high school sports in California, had no qualms with the Scholar-Baller patch being worn on any high school jersey in California and that there is no conflict of interest between the Scholar-Baller program and other initiatives with CIF member schools. Interested California High Schools should email cliff@scholarballer.org for more information.  Participation for the 2006-2007 school year will be limited.-

 June 12, 2006
 
Scholar-Baller™ at NCAA Coaching Academy
 
On June 12^th, co-founders Dr. Keith Harrison and Jean Boyd presented “Scholar-Baller, a User-Friendly Approach” to the NCAA Football Coaching Academy held in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Approximately 30 coaches were in attendance.  Survey results received afterwards were almost unanimously high with comments such as; very informative and a great tool for academic success, good ideas and thoughts on how to help athletics and education come together, can work at any level and should be mandatory at any program, outstanding information!

April 22, 2006
 
Scholar-Baller™ Profiled on KTLA, Los Angeles
 
Co-founders Dr. C. Keith Harrison and Cliff Parks were interviewed Saturday morning, April 22nd on KTLA in Los Angeles together with ten student athletes from Cabrillo High School, located in Long Beach, CA.  Dr. Harrison and Mr. Parks introduced the Scholar-Baller movement and highlighted emerging relationships with several pro athletes including Dhani Jones, Donovan McNabb, Emeka Okafor, Brevin Knight, Vince Carter and Shaquille O'Neil.  The video clip of this interview can be seen at www.ktla.com, click on "news videos" and scroll down to the section on "celebrity interviews".

March 17, 2006
 
Scholar-Baller™ In Fashion Show
 
Scholar-Baller™, in partnership with Mirra Image, presented the first annual “Art of Phoenix Gala” on March 17, 2006 at the Herberger Theater in downtown Phoenix.  As part of this event, the team from Scholar-Baller™ presented its inaugural collection of motivational and incentive gear targeted at achieving student-athletes.|

Student-athletes, with Scholar-Baller™ profiles in higher education, participated in this premiere annual event. The purpose of Scholar-Baller’s participation in this Gala was to expose the public to the educational achievements by various male and female student-athletes that have achieved Scholar-Baller™ status and Scholar-Baller’s first collection of related gear.  Music, attire and academic attitudes were showcased on stage during a special segment of the show.   Other art work, photos and images of the Scholar-Baller™ ideals were showcased on the V.I.P. section level of the theater.

November 2005
 
Scholar-Baller™ Achieves Non-Profit Status
 
Scholar-Baller™, an organization that is dedicated to educating today's youth about the importance of education using sport and entertainment, was officially approved for 501(c(3)) nonprofit status with the help of Partner Ellis Carter of Quarles & Brady Streich Lang LLP.  The Scholar-Baller™ organization is composed of a committed team of educators, practitioners, administrators, professional athletes and entertainers.

September 2005
  
ASU Kicks Off Scholar-Baller™ for Football 2005
 
At Arizona State University, the football student-athletes are being challenged to tap into the same competitive fire that makes them great athletes and bring this to their endeavors as students through the Scholar-Baller™ concept ... click here for more!

August 2005
 
Scholar-Baller™ and COA Enter Partnership
 
Scholar-Baller™ and the California Community College Commission on Athletics announced a new partnership agreement that designates Scholar-Baller as a COA affiliate partner ... click here for more!

February 2005
 
Scholar-Baller™ Co-Hosts a "Coach Carter" Premier Showing
 
On February 3rd, Scholar-Baller™ co-hosted a premier showing of the movie "Coach Carter"  to a packed house in New York City together with Rush Communications and the NCAA.  After the exciting, motivational showing, Russell Simmons of Rush Communications, Dr. Bernard Franklin of the NCAA, Dr. C. Keith Harrison of Scholar-Baller™ and Diana Taurasi of the WNBA took questions from the predominately student audience about the movie and related themes.  Jean Boyd, also from the Scholar-Baller™ team, moderated the discussion. ... click here for more