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Durham, NC (March 29, 2023) – The Durham Sports Commission, a leader in supporting and promoting positive economic and social impact through sporting events, is proud to announce the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s (CIAA) 2023 Outdoor Track and Field Championships will be held at Durham County Memorial Stadium on May 5-6.

This will marks the 100th time the CIAA has crowned a men’s champion and the 43rd anniversary of the women’s championship. The competing teams and athletes will be announced in April.

“We are thrilled to bring the CIAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships to Durham in 2023,” said CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams. “This is a great opportunity to showcase the talent and dedication of our student-athletes and to celebrate their hard work on the track. We look forward to working with the Durham Sports Commission, as well as the Durham community to make this event a success and to create a memorable experience for everyone involved.”

The 8,500-seat Durham County Memorial Stadium, originally built in 1958 and extensively renovated in 2010 to include the Tommy Hunt Press Box, expanded concourses and updated team spaces, has long been home to exciting events in Durham. Just this past December, the Durham Sports Commission hosted a thrilling NAIA Football National Championship in the stadium.

“We are honored to partner with the CIAA and Durham County Memorial Stadium in hosting the 2023 Outdoor Track and Field Championships here in Durham,” said Durham Sports Commission Deputy Director Kaila’Shea Menendez. “This event is not only a chance to showcase our exceptional facilities but also an opportunity to highlight the unique character and culture of our city. We look forward to welcoming the athletes, coaches, and fans to Durham and providing them with an unforgettable experience.”

For more information on this and other exciting Durham sporting events, please visit durhamncsports.com.

About Durham Sports Commission 

The Durham Sports Commission (DSC) is a collaboration of the City of Durham, the County of Durham, the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce and Discover Durham. The DSC was established in 2016 as a 501(c)(3) with a mission to create economic and social impact by leading the community’s efforts to attract, support, and promote youth, amateur, collegiate, and professional sporting and recreational events and is operated by Discover Durham. The DSC provides leadership for sports-based initiatives and creates positive economic impact and quality of life in Durham and the surrounding region. Be sure to follow the DSC on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram to keep up with all sports-related news in Durham, NC, and other announcements.

About the CIAA
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first and longest-running, African American athletic conference in the U.S. and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. In 2020, the conference celebrated the special 75th anniversary of its Championship Basketball Tournament – an event that has become a must-see in the African American community. The Basketball Tournament has been honored as a Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management, the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market, for both 2018 and 2019. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 12 member institutions: Bowie State University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Saint Augustine’s University, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University. Chowan University is an associate member in football and women’s bowling. For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram. 

 

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Kaila’Shea Menendez Elected to the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors

The Durham Sports Commission’s Deputy Director was Unanimously Elected for a Three-Year Term

 

DURHAM, NC (February 8, 2023) – The Durham Sports Commission (DSC) is proud to announce Deputy Director, Kaila’Shea Menendez has been named to the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame’s Board of Directors. Menendez was unanimously elected during the board’s quarterly meeting at Elon University on February 6 to fill a three-year term through May of 2026.

 

“The rich sports history of North Carolina is something we are proud to celebrate at the Durham Sports Commission,” said Menendez. “It’s an honor to join this organization and help fulfill the mission of sharing that history to inspire the next generation of North Carolina sports greats.”

 

Founded in 1962, the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame has a mission to use sports as a way to connect, enrich and inspire communities across the state. Its goal is to utilize the stories and achievements of local athletic talents to inspire others to find the courage to speak up, encourage others, and aspire to lofty goals. In 1992, the Hall was given a permanent place in the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh and later this year it will induct the 59th class of honorees.

 

“We’re excited to have Kaila’Shea join us in telling the story of North Carolina’s illustrious sports history,” said Executive Director Trip Durham. “Throughout her career, Kaila’Shea has shown a commitment to using sports for the betterment of her community and we look forward to aligning in that mission together.”

 

Menendez will bring a unique perspective to the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors. She is a Raleigh native and a part of North Carolina sports history as a former student-athlete at Wakefield High School and Western Carolina University. Now, as Deputy Director of the Durham Sports Commission, she is tasked with spearheading the work of the DSC’s Advisory and Sports Tourism Committees while building dynamic, productive relationships with key stakeholders. She has readily stepped in and owned her position as the point of contact for various national governing bodies in sports as well as other external rights holders and local event owners.

 

For more information on the DSC’s impact, please visit durhamncsports.com. For more information on the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, please visit ncshof.org.

 

About Durham Sports Commission

The Durham Sports Commission (DSC) is a collaboration of the City of Durham, the County of Durham, the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce and Discover Durham. The DSC was established in 2016 as a 501(c)(3) with a mission to create economic and social impact by leading the community’s efforts to attract, support, and promote youth, amateur, collegiate, and professional sporting and recreational events and is operated by Discover Durham. The DSC provides leadership for sports-based initiatives and create positive economic impact and quality of life in Durham and the surrounding region. Be sure to follow the DSC on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep up with all sports-related news in Durham, NC, and other announcements.  

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First-Time Partnership Between Three Organizations to Offer Skill Building and Professional Networking Focused on Sports and Business Careers 

 

Durham, NC (January 30, 2023) – The Durham Sports Commission in partnership with Women Leaders in College Sports, along with presenting sponsor Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, are proud to announce the first Emerging Women in Sports Leadership Summit will be held on Wednesday, April 19 at 1 p.m. at the Durham Convention Center. Registration for the event is now open and more information can be found at www.durhamncsports.com/emerging-leaders 

“Leadership is not limited by gender, but strengthened by diversity,” said Kaila’Shea Menendez, Deputy Director of the Durham Sports Commission. “This summit is a powerful opportunity for women to come together, connect, and learn from each other as we work towards becoming more effective leaders. We are thrilled to bring together these three amazing organizations to elevate the women leaders of today and cultivate the leaders of tomorrow.” 

The Emerging Women in Sports Leadership Summit will be an unparalleled event that brings together women who are passionate about sports and business. The summit is geared towards promoting the growth and development of women in the sports industry and beyond by providing a platform for student-athletes, graduate assistants, interns, volunteers, and young professionals to enhance their skills and expand their professional network.  

“By supporting women, we celebrate our shared commitment to provide inclusive opportunities that empower our next generation of leaders,” said Cheryl Parquet, Director of Community Engagement and Marketing Activation for Blue Cross NC. “We look forward to working with these future leaders and building healthier communities for all North Carolinians.” 

The summit is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for emerging women leaders in the Durham community and surrounding Triangle region to connect with industry leaders, gain valuable insights and career tools, and build lasting relationships. It will be a day packed with speakers delivering real-world expertise and guidance along with opportunities for professional networking and skill building. There will also be an on-site photographer offering professional headshots to attendees. The speaker lineup will be announced in early March.  

“We are thrilled to be a part of this local event that empowers women to reach their full potential and pursue a career in sports,” said Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports. “The Durham Sports Commission and Blue Cross NC are actively cultivating the pipeline of women working in sports on a local level and we hope it inspires other organizations to do the same.”  

For all summit participants, Women Leaders in College Sports is providing a one-year membership to access leadership and career resources and connect with a powerful network of women working in sports to support them on their career journey. For those wishing to attend and in need of financial assistance, a total of 20 summit scholarships will be made available by the participating organizations. More information about scholarship opportunities can be found on the event’s website. 

“I am delighted about the opportunity for the Durham Sports Commission to partner with Women Leaders in College Sports, an organization that contributed greatly to my career in college athletics,” said Dr. Ingrid Wicker McCree, former Athletic Director at North Carolina Central University and current chair of the Durham Sports Commission Board of Directors. “This is an amazing opportunity for women at various stages of their careers to connect and learn from experienced leaders in the sports industry.” 

About Durham Sports Commission  

The Durham Sports Commission (DSC) is a collaboration of the City of Durham, the County of Durham, the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce and Discover Durham. The DSC was established in 2016 as a 501(c)(3) with a mission to create economic and social impact by leading the community’s efforts to attract, support, and promote youth, amateur, collegiate, and professional sporting and recreational events and is operated by Discover Durham. The DSC provides leadership for sports-based initiatives and creates positive economic impact and quality of life in Durham and the surrounding region. Be sure to follow the DSC on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep up with all sports-related news in Durham, NC, and other announcements.  

About Women Leaders in College Sports 

Founded in 1979, Women Leaders in College Sports (formerly NACWAA) is the only nationally recognized professional membership organization whose mission is to develop, connect and advance women leaders working in college sports and beyond. Nearly 5,000 members strong, Women Leaders provides career and leadership training, access to a powerful network, and the resources to advance women at every stage of their careers. Women Leaders is reshaping the leadership landscape by elevating the women leaders of today and cultivating the women leaders of tomorrow. Follow Women Leaders on Twitter, Instagram, & TikTok @WomenLeadersCS. 

 

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The Durham Sports Commission Announces Virtual 5K Event and Branded Store 

Inaugural Event Supports the One Team, One Durham Fund, and new Varsity Brands and BSN Sports Partnership  

August 29, 2022 (DURHAM, N.C.) – The Durham Sports Commission (DSC) will host a Virtual 5K event on a prescribed course for runners and walkers through downtown Durham from September 17 to 24. A portion of the $15 registration fee will be donated to the DSC’s newly launched One Team, One Durham Fund (1T1D) that offsets the rising costs of youth sports. A new BSN Sports store featuring Virtual 5K gear is also now online, in time for those who register to receive their branded swag before the start of the event. Participants may run or walk the course as often as they would like during the weeklong window, offering those eager to set a personal best as many chances as they would like to record the lowest time.  

“Creating another DSC owned and operated event to engage the Durham community was a part of our strategic blueprint,” said Marcus Manning, executive director of the DSC. “In collaboration with DSC Board member Umar Muhammad and Revo Race’s Dr. Mark Janas, we identified an opportunity to engage the community through a Virtual 5K that seamlessly and innovatively ties together a few of our new initiatives that potentially could generate positive social impact through sports.”  

The Virtual 5K prescribed course starts at the iconic Durham Bulls Athletic Park, routes through the Morehead Hill neighborhood, and finishes on the American Tobacco Trail. A video of the course can be found here as a preview. One the DSC Virtual 5K registration fee is paid, participants may submit score(s) using the Submit Results button on the registration page by uploading a GPX file or manually entering the information. Teams are encouraged to run or walk the course together – as much as individuals are welcome to – with the ability to coordinate and submit team names. Those who register are expected to complete the course on their own, any time or date between September 17-24.  

In May, the DSC first announced 1T1D, accruing funds that will allow for greater access to sports for Durham youth. To date, funds have been raised exclusively through individual, private donations. The Virtual 5K marks the first activation that engages the public while simultaneously supporting the cause. Participants can donate additional dollars directly through the Virtual 5K registration page or have friends and family donate to the One Team, One Durham Fund on their behalf. The Virtual 5K is also the first DSC owned-and-operated event since it became the first sports commission in the country to partner with BSN Sports, the nation’s largest direct marketer and distributor of sporting goods to the school and league markets. Like event registration, a portion of the Virtual 5K branded apparel will be allocated to support 1T1D. The Virtual 5K online store will be open through September 6 to ensure that all orders are placed in time for participants to receive their swag before the September 17 start date.  

For more information about the Durham Sports Commission, 1T1D, and the Virtual 5K, please visit www.durhamncsports.com 

About Durham Sports Commission 

The Durham Sports Commission (DSC) is a collaboration of the City of Durham, the County of Durham, the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce and Discover Durham. The DSC was established in 2016 as a 501(c)(3) with a mission to create economic and social impact by leading the community’s efforts to attract, support, and promote youth, amateur, collegiate, and professional sporting and recreational events and is operated by Discover Durham. The DSC provides leadership for sports-based initiatives and create positive economic impact and quality of life in Durham and the surrounding region. Be sure to follow the DSC on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep up with all sports-related news in Durham, NC, and other announcements. 

 

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July 12, 2021 (DURHAM, N.C.) – The Durham Sports Commission (DSC) is proud to announce that Deputy Director, Kaila’Shea Menendez, has been named as one of 11 board members of the North Carolina Sports Association. The NCSA Board Development Committee elected Menendez to fill one of three the at-large seats available for a three-year term beginning with the 2022/2023 year. 

“The NCSA is an important collective that works to further our state’s sports ecosystem, bettering communities in Durham and beyond through the social and economic impact of sport,” said Menendez. “It’s an honor to work more closely with my peers to further position North Carolina as a premier destination for national governing bodies and event planners looking to enhance or bring more events of all shapes and sizes to the area.”  

NCSA is a statewide collaboration of sports commissions, convention and visitors bureaus, parks and recreation entities, and sports authorities who share a direct interest in supporting sports events in North Carolina. The nonprofit’s mission is to grow, promote and enhance the general welfare of the sports industry across the state. By positioning North Carolina as a top-tier destination for the sports tourism market and recruiting event rights holders to the area, NCSA helps generate economic and social impact for destinations from the mountains to the coast.  

“In just a few short months, it’s clear Kaila’Shea is a gamechanger for Durham and the state’s sports tourism industry,” said Marcus Manning, executive director of the DSC. “We’re proud to have her make her mark and contribute to more regional conversations as Durham and North Carolina continue to solidify our positions as championship-caliber destinations.”    

One of seven sports commissions in North Carolina, the DSC was established in 2016 as a collaboration between the City of Durham, Durham County, the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce and Discover Durham. Menendez joined the DSC in December of 2021, shortly before the organization hosted the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Football National Championship and Senior Football Classic, as well as the inaugural Champion Durham Classic high school basketball invitational. In her first few months on the job, Menendez has immediately excelled by leading the management of strategic initiatives and special projects. She spearheads the work of the DSC’s Advisory and Sports Tourism Committees, building dynamic, productive relationships with key stakeholders. She has readily stepped in and owned her position as the point of contact for various national governing bodies in sports as well as other external rights holders and local event owners. While those are the responsibilities she is formally charged with, Menendez’s keen eye for forecasting event owners’ needs, multifaceted skillsets honed by years of leadership experience, and innate thoughtfulness permeate and across all the organization accomplishes.  

Menendez was previously the senior director of leadership programming and events at Women Leaders in College Sports, the premier leadership organization that develops, connects, and advances women working in college sports and beyond. She oversaw the Women Leaders in College Sports National Convention and was responsible for the execution of all association-wide leadership programming and events. Additionally, she managed initiatives dedicated to furthering and supporting women of color in sports and remains an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Before assuming her senior director role, Menendez served as an events coordinator and director leadership programming. Prior to Women Leaders in College Sports, she held positions with the University of California San Diego, Camp Pendleton, and various parks and recreation centers and YMCAs across the country.  

For more on the DSC’s impact, please visit its website. For more on the NCSA, please visit its website or contact Paul Sheehan, Chair, at paul@visitwinstonsalem.com 

 

About Durham Sports Commission 

The Durham Sports Commission (DSC) is a collaboration of the City of Durham, the County of Durham, the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce and Discover Durham. The DSC was established in 2016 as a 501(c)(3) with a mission to create economic and social impact by leading the community’s efforts to attract, support, and promote youth, amateur, collegiate, and professional sporting and recreational events and is operated by Discover Durham. The DSC provides leadership for sports-based initiatives and create positive economic impact and quality of life in Durham and the surrounding region. Be sure to follow the DSC on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep up with all sports-related news in Durham, NC, and other announcements. 

 

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The Durham Sports Commission Names Four New Board Members 

Board Members to Provide Leadership and Guidance as the DSC Fulfills its Mission to  

Create Social and Economic Impact Through Sports 

 

July 7, 2022 (DURHAM, N.C) – The Durham Sports Commission (DSC) is proud to share four new members have joined its Board of Directors. The new board members are Ingrid Wicker McCree, Ed.D., founder & CEO of WM Leadership & Legacy Coaching, LLC; Ray Trapp, vice president of strategic engagement at the Research Triangle Foundation; Umar Muhammad, a professor and faculty athletic representative (FAR) at Saint Augustine’s University (SAU) and founder of USports Consulting; and Scott Strickland, assistant general manager of operations for the Durham Bulls Baseball Club.  

“We have a forward-thinking, strategic, and versatile lineup of board members, guiding us into the future as we continue to partner with and support Durham’s local sports ecosystem and recruit regional and national events to the Bull City,” said Marcus Manning, executive director of the DSC. “Each member has passionately served Durham in various capacities and will continue to do so through the DSC’s mission – this cohort is ready to assist the organization in taking advantage of future opportunities, and ultimately positioning the DSC for sustainable success.”  

Wicker McCree has an impressive and storied career as a higher education leader with more than 25 years in diverse roles. In 2008, she made history becoming the first female to hold the permanent title as the Director of Athletics at North Carolina Central University (NCCU). Wicker McCree recently retired as one of the longest-tenured athletic directors in NCCU history, and as one of only a handful of women athletic directors in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). As founder and CEO of WM Leadership & Legacy Coaching, LLC, she will impart her extensive expertise and leadership skills to individuals, organizations, and corporations within higher education and beyond. She is a native of Durham and graduate of C.E. Jordan High School.  

Trapp joined the Research Triangle Foundation (RTF) as vice president of strategic engagement in January 2021. Prior to his current role, Trapp was the director of external affairs for North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T) as well as a Guilford County Commissioner representing District 8 from 2012-2017. He participates on the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges and is a board member of Communities in Schools of Wake County, Communities in Schools of Greater Greensboro, the Morrisville Chamber of Commerce, Durham Public Schools Foundation, Leadership Triangle, and the Nature Conservancy. He was also in the U.S. Navy, serving as an interior communications specialist aboard the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN).  

Muhammad has recently made history and garnered national acclaim for becoming one of two head coaches on the inaugural SAU cycling team – the first and only cycling squad and women’s crew team at a Historically Black college and university (HBCU) in the country. Professor Muhammad has been a sport management professor at SAU for nearly five years and most recently appointed the new FAR, a faculty member designated by an NCAA member institution to serve as a liaison between the institution and athletics department as well as a representative of the institution in conference and NCAA affairs. A native of Durham, he is active in his community and involved with the Durham County Juvenile Crime Prevention program, the DSC’s Advisory Committee, and the NCCU Recreation Program Advisory Committee. He founded a sports consulting business, USports Consulting, and was once the general manager of a professional basketball team, the Bull City Legacy, in the Tobacco Road Basketball League.  

Strickland has served as the assistant general manager, operations for the Durham Bulls since 2018. He started his career with the Bulls in 2004 as an assistant groundskeeper, prior to being promoted to head groundskeeper then director of operations. In his role, Strickland oversees stadium and field operations, special events, management of the Durham Athletic Park, as well as the team’s partnership with Duke Baseball. He resides in Durham and is active with the Miracle League of the Triangle where he services on their board of directors. 

The four new board members’ terms started July 1, 2022, and expires June 30, 2025. With the new appointments comes a new board chair, too. Wicker McCree will succeed previous board chair Dan Hill, former president of the Carolinas Golf Association and former partner of the Orange County Speedway. Hill will continue to serve as a board member. Susan Scott, senior director of advancement and marketing at UNC-TV, will keep her position as vice chair and Mitch Moser, deputy director of athletics/resource development and management/chief financial officer at Duke University’s department of athletics, remains secretary/treasurer. Other continuing board members include Terrence Holt, president of Holt Brothers, Inc.; Jonathon Leach, executive director of administration at North Carolina Central University; and Bill Kalkhof, retired CEO of Downtown Durham, Inc. Coinciding with the new appointments, founding members Omar Beasley, George Habel, and Tommy Hunt have rotated off the board.  

For more information about the Durham Sports Commission, please visit www.durhamncsports.com 

 

About Durham Sports Commission 

The Durham Sports Commission (DSC) is a collaboration of the City of Durham, the County of Durham, the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce and Discover Durham. The DSC was established in 2016 as a 501(c)(3) with a mission to create economic and social impact by leading the community’s efforts to attract, support, and promote youth, amateur, collegiate, and professional sporting and recreational events and is operated by Discover Durham. The DSC provides leadership for sports-based initiatives and create positive economic impact and quality of life in Durham and the surrounding region. Be sure to follow the DSC on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep up with all sports-related news in Durham, NC, and other announcements. 

 

 

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June 1, 2022 – Durham Sports Commission, located in Durham, NC, today announced that it has established a new partnership with Varsity Brands, the market leader in team sports, school spirit and achievement recognition, and one of its operating businesses BSN SPORTS, the nation’s largest direct marketer and distributor of sporting goods to the school and league markets and a division of Varsity Brands. Through this partnership, BSN SPORTS will serve as the official apparel and equipment provider to the Durham Sports Commission. The program will also benefit from access to BSN SPORTS’ line of custom facility branding products and customizable fanwear shops for the many events the DSC hosts.

Marcus Manning, Executive Director of Durham Sports Commission, stated, “This unique and strategic partnership with Varsity Brands and BSN Sports fits within the fabric of striving to have an impact on the Durham sports community, recruiting events to our community, enhancing the awareness and experience of sporting events and continuing to build the brand awareness of the DSC. I can’t thank Varsity Brands enough for this unique opportunity, and we’re excited about what the future holds.”

Matt D’Orazio, Senior Vice President of Varsity Brands added, “Exclusive partnerships like the one we have announced today drive our mission of elevating experiences for athletes and their supporters who will attend these events.”

 

About Durham Sports Commission

The Durham Sports Commission (DSC) is a collaboration of the City of Durham, the County of Durham, the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce and Discover Durham. The DSC was established in 2016 as a 501(c)(3) with a mission to create economic and social impact by leading the community’s efforts to attract, support, and promote youth, amateur, collegiate, and professional sporting and recreational events and is operated by Discover Durham. The DSC provides leadership for sports-based initiatives and create positive economic impact and quality of life in Durham and the surrounding region. Be sure to follow the DSC on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep up with all sports-related news in Durham, NC, and other announcements.

About BSN SPORTS

Dallas-based BSN SPORTS is the leading marketer, manufacturer and distributor of sporting goods apparel and equipment. A division of Varsity Brands, BSN SPORTS markets and distributes its products to over 100,000 institutional and team sports customers in colleges and universities, middle and high schools, and recreational programs throughout the United States via catalog, e-commerce, and direct sales. Focused on providing game changing solutions through local partnerships, multi-brand selection and one-stop shopping for equipment and uniforms, BSN SPORTS’ more than 3,000 employees have been helping elevate participation in team sports since 1972. For more information about BSN SPORTS please visit www.bsnsports.com.

About Varsity Brands

With a mission to inspire achievement and create memorable experiences for young people, Varsity Brands elevates the student experience, promotes participation and celebrates achievement through three unique but interrelated businesses: BSN SPORTS, a Varsity Sport Brand; Varsity Spirit; and Herff Jones, A Varsity Achievement Brand. Together, these assets promote personal, school and community pride through their customizable products and programs to elementary and middle schools, high schools, and colleges and universities, as well as church organizations, professional and collegiate sports teams and corporations. Through its dedicated employees and independent representatives, Varsity Brands reaches its individual and institutional customers each year through competitions, camps and sales.

 

Media Contact

Margaret Pentrack

Sr. Director of Marketing

mpentrack@discoverdurham.com

412.337.2997

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Grant Program to Offset the Rising Cost of Youth Sports Participation 

May 2, 2022 (DURHAM, N.C) – The Durham Sports Commission (DSC) is proud to announce the One Team, One Durham Fund (1T1D), established to support youth sports development in the area. With an initial $10,000 pledged, 100% privately funded, grants will be awarded by a selection committee that will meet monthly. As the cost of youth sports participation continues to rise, the DSC considers 1T1D as an important step, leading the community’s efforts to allow for greater access to the benefits of sport.  

“Studies conducted during the pandemic show that more parents think of youth sports as an outlet for more holistic development, improving mental health, peer relationships, and social skills as much as physical wellbeing,” said Marcus Manning, executive director of the DSC. “While there’s more of a need than ever for the benefits of sport, the costs associated with playing continues to rise. It will take a One Team, One Durham-like effort for us all to find ways to give more kids transformational opportunities to play.”  

Project Play, an initiative created by the Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program, reports that the annual costs of youth participation average $693 per child, per sport. Parents of a child competing with a travel team spends an average of $2,266. Costs include travel, equipment, lessons, registration, camps, and more. 1T1D will offset some of those costs by awarding grants of up to $200 per recipient to 501(c)3 organizations operating in Durham. Up to five people from an organization are eligible to apply. A grant application can be found on the DSC’s website here: www.durhamncsports.com/1t1d 

The DSC will continue to provide grants to event owners to assist those planning events within Durham. The DSC has awarded more than $428,000 in those types of grants to date. The 1T1D fund will be separate and complement this ongoing work to improve access to sports by supporting more of the individual’s participant costs, costs associated with playing on clubs and teams, and so forth. The first round of 1T1D grants will be awarded in the coming months, purposefully allocated before the start of fall sports activities and seasons.  

One of the DSC’s goals is to increase the size of the fund and build on the initial $10,000 pledge. Those interested in donating or sponsoring the One Team, One Durham Fund are encouraged to contact Marcus Manning 

 For more information about the Durham Sports Commission, please visit www.durhamncsports.com 

About Durham Sports Commission 

The Durham Sports Commission (DSC) is a collaboration of the City of Durham, the County of Durham, the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce and Discover Durham. The DSC was established in 2016 as a 501(c)(3) with a mission to create economic and social impact by leading the community’s efforts to attract, support, and promote youth, amateur, collegiate, and professional sporting and recreational events and is operated by Discover Durham. The DSC provides leadership for sports-based initiatives and create positive economic impact and quality of life in Durham and the surrounding region. Be sure to follow the DSC on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep up with all sports-related news in Durham, NC, and other announcements. 

 

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November 29, 2021 (DURHAM, N.C.) – The Durham Sports Commission (DSC) is proud to announce that Kaila’Shea Menendez has been selected as Deputy Director. In the newly created position, Menendez will assist in leading the nonprofit’s work to create social and economic impact through sports by helping to manage strategic initiatives, oversee special projects, and serve as a liaison to various committees and key stakeholders. She was most recently the Senior Director of Leadership Programing and Events at Women Leaders in College Sports in Kansas City, Missouri. Menendez’s first day with the DSC will be December 1.

“I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve as Deputy Director for the Durham Sports Commission,” said Menendez. “As a proud North Carolinian from the area, it is a dream come true to work on behalf of my community. I am committed and passionate about the endless opportunities to bring recreational and sporting events to this one-of-a-kind city while enriching the lives of those who visit and live in Durham.”

At Women Leaders in College Sports, Menendez oversaw operations for leadership programming and events, including the Women Leaders National Convention, and collaborated with executive staff to develop long-term strategic plans, partnerships and initiatives to ensure impactful and continuous growth for the association. Responsible for creating innovative solutions to improve internal and external departmental efficiencies, she also fostered significant relationships with presidents, community leaders, and industry experts to assist with advancing women in the industry. Rounding out her experience, she partnered with marketing to increase brand awareness for the association nationwide.

“In Kaila’Shea we’ve identified a person that has experienced tremendous success early on in her professional career, a passion for community, and the skillset and enthusiasm to help build and transform the Durham Sports Commission,” said Executive Director, Marcus Manning.

Menendez joins the DSC at an exciting period, shortly after the organization’s five-year anniversary. On the horizon, the DSC will host the National Association of Intercollegiate (NAIA) Football National Championship and Senior Football Classic at Durham County Memorial Stadium on December 17 and 18. The DSC has also announced its first owned and operated event, the Champion Durham Classic, a high school holiday basketball invitational held at North Carolina Central University’s McDougald-McLendon Arena on December 27-29 with teams participating from Durham and across the mid-Atlantic.

In addition to assisting with the execution of those upcoming events, Menendez will spearhead the work of the DSC’s Advisory and Sports Tourism Committees and build relationships with other key stakeholders. She will be a point of contact for national governing bodies in sports as well as other external rights holders and local event owners.

Prior to her time with Women Leaders in College Sports, Menendez has worked in various positions at the University of California, San Diego, Marine Corps Community Services at Camp Pendleton, and the City of El Cajon’s Recreation Department. She has served on various national committees and is a member of numerous associations like Women in Sports and Events, the American Society of Association Executives, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, and the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association. She earned her master’s degree in exercise and sports administration from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and a bachelor of science from Western Carolina University.

For more information about the Durham Sports Commission, please visit www.durhamncsports.com.

About Durham Sports Commission

The Durham Sports Commission (DSC) is a collaboration of the City of Durham, the County of Durham, the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce and Discover Durham. The DSC was established in 2016 as a 501(c)(3) with a mission to create economic and social impact by leading the community’s efforts to attract, support, and promote youth, amateur, collegiate, and professional sporting and recreational events and is operated by Discover Durham. The DSC provides leadership for sports-based initiatives and create positive economic impact and quality of life in Durham and the surrounding region. Be sure to follow the DSC on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep up with all sports-related news in Durham, NC, and other announcements.

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