When professional athletes retire, there are several paths they often choose. Some stay within their sport, finding a role as a coach, a scout, a broadcaster or in a management position. Others venture into the business world and forge a new career. And many still look to use their platform as a way to give back to the communities that supported them along their journey.
Chris Doleman spent 15 years chasing down quarterbacks and running backs for the Vikings, Falcons and 49ers, leaving the game in 2000 with 150 1/2 sacks and is a finalist for the NFL Hall of Fame this year. As a player, he was highly committed to supporting his team's and the league's community programs. So it was a natural transition for him to seek out a way to combine his passion for giving back with his business savvy and entrepreneurial spirit.
Doleman realized that most former pro athletes stay very active with their respective foundations upon leaving their sport. But many find that raising money on a regular basis can be a bigger challenge than a third and long on the road or a 2 strike count in the late innings. What he saw were players repeatedly going to the same sources for funding, and commonly not getting enough funds to effectively distribute through their foundations. So rather than compete for the same dollars by starting his own foundation, Doleman took another route and found a way to help them all.
With the launch of Chris Doleman Pro Auctions and the Celebrity Charitable Network, foundations and sports nonprofits have access to one-of-a-kind experiences that can be used to raise funds and drive awareness. We had a chance to talk with Chris to learn more about his new business ventures and how they're designed to help foundations of all sizes with their fundraising goals...
If you've spent some time around this site, you'll notice we're big fans of quotes, especially from the legendary Green Bay Packers head coach Vince Lombardi. Lombardi had a unique ability to inspire and motivate his players, to bond them towards reaching a common goal, and to never quit - on each other or the task at hand. More so than the championships he won, his words have become his legacy and their power extends well beyond the football field.
As 2011 comes to a close, we leave you with these words from the coach...
“After all the cheers have died down and the stadium is empty, after the headlines have been written, and after you are back in the quiet of your room and the championship ring has been placed on the dresser, and after all the pomp and fanfare have faded, the enduring thing that is left is the dedication to doing with our lives the very best we can to make the world a better place in which to live.”
To all in the global sports community who are doing their part to make this world a better place in which to live, we say THANK YOU and send our wishes for a very happy, healthy and safe NEW YEAR!
“Not to sound too deep or weird, but I think that the times when you really appreciate surfing are the times you're really sort of becoming one with nature. Surfing's as raw of a sport as it gets.”
~ Kelly Slater
Hard to argue with the 11-time ASP World Surfing Champion on that. Surfing really is a unique sport, channelling the forces of nature and gravity to propel you across the water.
But did you know there's a cost to nature for every surfboard, every wetsuit and every bar of wax that's made? The folks at Envirosurfer do - and they want everyone to be aware of it. They created this cool infographic to show the impact surfer's have on the same nature they rely on. This isn't a scolding; more of a wake-up call to educate and spur new ideas for sustainable practices in the surf community. Check it out...
We just got a note from our good friends at US Power Soccer Association, with some news from the FIPFA World Cup...
After putting on two convincing performances in their first day of competition, Team USA was confident entering Friday's matches against Switzerland and England. After defeating the Swiss 21-0, they prepared for a very strong England squad. It was a hard-fought match, with England scoring the game's only goal in second half. Despite the loss, Team USA were still through to the semi-finals.
At that point, it was a matter of seeing who would be the next test. The opponent ended up being France, setting the stage for a rematch of the final in the inaugural World Cup in Tokyo. The match was intense, as Team USA struck first, with Michael Archer putting away a penalty kick in the first half. In the second half, France had several scoring chances, but a goal by Kendra Scalia-Carrow sealed their fate and Team USA advanced to the FIPFA World Cup final with a 2-0 victory!
The final game will see the United States vs. England in a rematch! Kickoff is Sunday, November 6 at 9am EST. You can watch the game live at Blog Handicap.
Team USA is one win away from being the first US Soccer team to repeat as world champions. Be sure to tune in on Sunday and support our athletes as they fight for the trophy!
It's always great to get a chance to network with peers in the nonprofit industry, and we've been given a great opportunity to participate at one of the leading nonprofit fundraising conferences - the 2011 Vivanista Fundraising Summit in San Francisco, Nov 11-12.
The Vivanista Fundraising Summit gives volunteer leaders and emerging nonprofits in-depth training and expert advice they can implement immediately to sustain their fundraising through economic uncertainty and build passionate communities for the long term. Visionary speakers will address the most pressing issues including how to bootstrap fundraising events as well as creating integrated multi-channel fundraising campaigns using online and traditional tools.
