Playing sports at an early age helps prepare our youth for future success by teaching them about teamwork, hard work, resiliency and integrity. Working together, CORE Research and our team have brought forth groundbreaking research that links early stage sports engagement and success in the adult world. We recently launched our “Power of Sport” campaign to raise funds to grow our i play! afterschool program so we can positively impact more children. Students (3rd-5th grade) in the i play! program have significantly less absenteeism, less disciplinary issues and better reading and math scores than their peers in San Antonio ISD and Harlandale ISD.
According to the recent San Antonio Sports online survey conducted by Core Research, consisting of 330 business and opinion leaders in the San Antonio metro area:
- Most business leaders played sports in their youth, and support youth sport programs.
- 62 percent of business leaders (owners and C-suite executives) played sports in their youth.
- 76 percent have supported youth sports as a donor, volunteer, coach or parent.
- The survey sample represents a wide range of business leaders:
- 71 percent owners, C-Suite executives (29 percent directors, VPs and other management)
- 59 percent men (41 percent women)
- 79 percent 35+ years old (45 percent 35-50 years old)
- 55 percent companies with less than 50 employees (45 percent 50+ employees)
- Sports can make the difference between success and failure.
- 95 percent affirmed that participating in sports and athletics at an early age can make a positive difference in a child’s development.
- 57 percent of business leaders attributed their youth sports experiences to their career success.
- The top lessons that business leaders learned as a result of playing sports are:
- Teamwork
- Ambition and motivation
- Appreciating physical health
- Discipline and structure
To show the impact sports can have on an individual, San Antonio Sports will partner with 18 community leaders throughout 2019 to share their personal success stories and ways in which sports helped build a foundation for their careers. The initial media spots that will help launch the campaign feature San Antonio Sports board member April Ancira, Bruce Bowen, Bill Greehey and longtime i play! afterschool supporter, Harvey Najim.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5CabUkx0zk[/embedyt]
April Ancira, vice president of Ancira Auto Group, uses skills she developed while playing for her high school tennis team in her role as a leader overseeing many employees. April recognizes the difference in those who have a background in sports and the qualities they show in the workplace, such as arriving on time as well as setting and accomplishing personal goals.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwFjEavbc1U[/embedyt]
Joining April in raising awareness for the power of sport is Bruce Bowen, three-time NBA champion. After playing for the San Antonio Spurs, Bruce became a very well known and respected member of the community. As an athlete who started playing sports in his youth, Bruce has seen firsthand how sports can help shape who you are as an individual.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4dCACChFCs[/embedyt]
Another partner who has joined the campaign is Bill Greehey, founding chairman of NuStar Energy L.P. and Group. Previously, Bill was the founding CEO and chairman of Valero Energy Corporation and Group. Bill has played a critical role in the development of San Antonio Sports, and as a highly successful businessman himself, he sees the correlation between those who participated in sports and those who are successful businessmen and women.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyBdw36VTmo[/embedyt]
Finally, Harvey Najim, founder of Sirius Computer Solutions, is also among the four to kick off the “Power of Sport” campaign. Harvey is a strong supporter of San Antonio Sports i play! afterschool program because he knows the difference that sports can make in a child’s life. i play! afterschool teaches discipline, how to abide by the rules and work as a team. Harvey believes these are the same characteristics that kids need to be successful in school — and life.
These four influential and successful individuals have experienced firsthand the effects sports can have throughout childhood and into adulthood. The “Power of Sport” campaign aims to bring awareness to an incredible program that helps change the lives of youth in San Antonio.
To join April, Bruce, Bill and Harvey in their efforts to give every child the opportunity to learn and grow from the “Power of Sport” please visit, www.sanantoniosports.org/powerofsport.