Gameday Foundation
History and Evolution
This writing describes the evolution of Gameday Foundation, which was founded by Tim Dulin, owner of Dulins Sports Companies. As a result of some early, “unofficial”, but successful attempts to give back to the community, Tim’s vision expanded to the dream of one day establishing a foundation to provide community outreach on an ongoing basis. After completing the task of opening the new Dulins Sports Academy location in 1994, Gameday Foundation was founded the following year. Several more successes followed in providing assistance to disadvantaged and physically impaired youth. After taking the time to complete a major renovation to Dulins Sports Academy in 1998, Tim formally established Gameday Foundation as a private non-profit organization on May 3rd, 2000. Although Gameday Foundation has provided a substantial amount of assistance to a wide range of youth, we have only just begun. Our sincere desire is to provide substantially more assistance to disadvantaged and physically impaired youth in the Mid-South. With your support, we will accomplish our goal of providing the “foundation” for many more youth to achieve their goals in life.
Tim Dulin opened the Strike Zone in 1991, primarily due to his passion for helping kids develop in sports and in life. Gameday Foundation is an extension of this passion. Shortly after opening the Strike Zone in 1991, Tim’s passion was tested. Dr. Barry Phillips at the Campbell Clinic called Tim for help. Dr. Phillips had an 11-year old patient who had just lost his total right arm to cancer. The young man loved baseball and had become frustrated while trying to relearn to play with only his left arm. This relearning task was especially difficult, since he had been right handed. Tim met with the young baseball fan and his Mom. Tim: challenged, moved, yet apprehensive, agreed to do what he could. Over a period of months and years, Tim taught this young man, who had only his left arm, to hit, catch, and throw. In late 1995, Tim organized a New Years Eve Dance and silent auction at the new Dulins Sports Academy. This event raised $8,500 for the young physically impaired ballplayer and represented a major success during Gameday Foundation’s first year. The young baseball player went on to start for his high school in Mississippi and was one of the leading hitters and one of the better defensive players on the team. This is one example of Tim’s early efforts, via the Gameday Foundation, to help those in need.
In the spring of 1995, Tim Dulin, in conjunction with the Germantown High School Baseball Booster Club, organized the first free inner-city baseball clinic. This first free clinic was held at Tim McCarver Stadium and was conducted by the Dulins Sports Academy Instructors and the Germantown High School Baseball Team. This free clinic in 1995 marked the “unofficial” beginning of the Gameday Foundation sponsored, community outreach program. Since that time, many Gameday Foundation free clinics and camps have been conducted for disadvantaged youth. During this first clinic, Tim discovered a player with tremendous speed and physical ability, but little baseball skill. Tim took the player under his wing and provided mentoring, instruction, and even a job. This player, Ronte Langs, went on to play at Oklahoma State and was then drafted and plays professionally in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.
This is just one example of the many other success stories about Gameday Foundation having provided nurturing, discipline, and pride through sports. This support has resulted in an improved quality of life that has helped numerous disadvantaged youth develop into outstanding citizens with new life skills.
Gameday Foundation, formally established as a private non-profit organization on May 3rd, 2000, became a sponsor of the Memphis Grays inner-city baseball team and the Dulins Dodgers Elite Summer Team. Kevin Booker, director of sports instruction at Dulins Sports Companies, and his wife, Candice Booker, formed the Memphis Grays Baseball Team. Tim Dulin and Joe Platt formed the Dulins Dodgers Summer Team.
Gameday Foundation’s mission is to provide both on and off the field assistance as it provides a quality of life for the youth in the Mid-South. Our sincere wish continues to be our desire to fulfill our motto of:
“Providing the foundation for kids to achieve their goals in life”.
What have we done?
o First free inner-city clinic for disadvantaged youth was conducted in 1995 at Tim McCarver Baseball Stadium.
o Years of sports instruction, moral support, and financial assistance were provided to the young cancer amputee as well as other young people with illnesses.
o Gameday Foundation has conducted numerous free coaches clinics. These clinics provide instruction to coaches who use sports as a vehicle to nurture learning in an effort to prepare future citizens with new life skills.
o Gameday Foundation continues to provide major support to the Memphis Grays, including: free facility use, free instruction, and financial assistance.
o Free facility use is provided to church groups, disadvantaged youth organizations, inner-city youth organizations, and organizations for the physically impaired such as the Special Olympics.
o Free instruction is provided to church groups, disadvantaged youth organizations, inner-city youth organizations, and organizations for the physically impaired such as the Special Olympics.
o Equipment and financial support have been provided to church groups, disadvantaged youth organizations, inner-city youth organizations, and organizations for the physically impaired.
o Years of on site moral support, mentoring, and nurturing was provided to Jay Holcomb, a young man with Spina Bifida.
o Sponsor and primary supporter of the Annual FCA Inner-City Baseball Camp provided free to all Inner-City High School Players. Provide support and coordinate free instruction for this annual event.
o The nationally recognized Dulins Dodgers summer baseball team was formed to provide the premier young athletes in the Mid-South an opportunity to receive the best instruction, exposure, and baseball experience available. Just as important is our goal to provide the Dodgers a structured environment that includes mentoring, nurturing, and discipline so that each player develops into an outstanding citizen with new life skills who is an asset to his community. Thus the Dulins Dodgers motto, “More Than A Game…A Lifestyle.”
What are our plans?
o Continue to provide major support for the Memphis Grays baseball program.
o Organize free Annual clinics and camps for disadvantaged inner-city youth and physically impaired youth (Memphis)
o Organize free Annual clinics and camps for disadvantaged youth and physically impaired youth (rural and inner-city in North Mississippi)
o Organize free Annual coaches clinics to provide instruction to those coaches who use sports as a vehicle to nurture learning and to prepare future citizens with new life skills
o Continue the athletic equipment donation drive on a year round basis. This includes a donation collection box at Gameday Sports Academy. The equipment collected is provided to disadvantaged and inner-city youth who cannot afford athletic equipment. Many of these youth participate in our free clinics. The 2004 equipment donation totaled more than 10K.
o Increase our Community Outreach to physically impaired youth through sports by utilizing the Dulins Dodger players, coaches, and parents.
o Begin a structured effort to provide the Memphis City Schools After School Care Program at no charge to a number of kids whose parents are not able to afford it. The specially designed After Care Program provides a positive working environment for all children. The Program uses various sports as a vehicle to focus on communication skills between players as well as between players and coaches. Constant attention is given to positive reinforcement to help develop proper communication, interpersonal skills, and self-confidence needed in everyday life.
o Increase sports equipment donations to disadvantaged churches, schools, as well as other charity organizations.
o Establish a memoriam to Jay Holcomb. This memoriam will provide support for the prevention and cure of Spina Bifida and will provide support to those families who are affected by this dreaded disease.
How is Gameday Foundation funded?
o Private Donations
o Corporate Sponsors/Donations
o Various Fundraisers
o Annual Golf Scramble
o Team fees
o Team program advertisements
Corporate Partnerships as listed below are available and are appreciated.
Title Sponsor:
$25,000 annually for two years:
Will be a Title Sponsor of all Gameday Foundation Events
Title sponsor will include everything available under gold medal sponsor plus your corporate logo on the Dulins Dodgers and Memphis Grays uniform.
Gold Medal Sponsor:
$10,000 annually for two years:
Gold Medal Sponsor will include annually the following:
· Title sponsor of two free clinics annually for disadvantaged, impaired, and/or inner city youth as evidenced by your company logo as the title sponsor on clinic t-shirt, and clinic brochure. Plus, your company banner will be prominently displayed as title sponsor at the clinic location. (Banner provided by sponsor)
· Co-sponsor of Memphis Redbirds’ “Kids Run the Bases”, which will include the opportunity to distribute giveaway to all kids as they exit the bases at each Sunday’s Redbirds game during the entire Redbirds season. Company logo will be displayed on the message board and PA announcement provided while kids are running the bases.
· Company may display company logo on the DSA batting cage located at the entrance of AutoZone Park.
· Opportunity for company representative(s) to appear on the field at pre-game of a Memphis Redbirds game.
· Annual golf scramble sponsor as evidenced by a sign at tee, green, and clubhouse. Also includes a foursome entry at no extra charge.
Silver Medal Sponsor:
$5,000 annually for two years:
Silver Medal Sponsor will include annually the following:
· Sponsor of two free clinics annually for disadvantaged, impaired, and/or inner city youth as evidenced by your company logo on the t-shirt and clinic brochure, as well as a sign posted at clinic location. (Sign provided by company)
· Co-Sponsor of Memphis Redbirds’ “Kids Run the Bases”, which will include an opportunity to distribute giveaway to all kids as they exit the bases at each Sunday’s Redbirds game during one month of the Redbirds season. PA announcement during game and company logo will be displayed as the kids run the bases.
· Annual Golf Scramble sponsor as evidenced by sign at green, tee, or clubhouse. Also includes a foursome entry at no extra charge.
· Opportunity for company representative(s) to appear on the field at pre-game of a Memphis Redbirds game.
Bronze Medal Sponsor:
$2,500 annually for two years:
Bronze Medal Sponsor will include annually the following:
· Annual Golf Scramble sponsor as evidenced by sign at clubhouse, green, or tee.
· Sponsor of one free clinic annually for disadvantaged and/or inner-city youth as evidenced by company logo on t-shirt and clinic brochure.
· Opportunity to provide handout to all kids as they exit the field during the “Kids Run the Bases” event at one Sunday’s Memphis Redbirds game
· Opportunity for Company representative(s) to appear on the field at pre-game of a Memphis Redbirds game.
