Symonds Living Dream with Hoops Magic Sports Academy

Ron Bailey, Publisher

April 4, 2007 – Those imbedded on the hoops scene in the D.C. area have long known of Curtis Symonds – ex-marketing executive and current Chief Operating Officer of the WNBA’s D.C. franchise, the Washington Mystics. As an energetic supporter and participant of not only the hoops but local business communities, Symonds is a fixture in and around the Nation’s Capital.

Given his background, including 14 years with Black Entertainment (he would attain a Vice President position there), 8 years as an ESPN marketing executive in addition to working with the Mystics over the last three years, and having coached and played basketball at Wilberforce College and participated in various youth hoops organizations, it’s almost natural that Symonds’ would eventually merge his love of sports and business.

He has, in a major way, via the Hoop Magic Sports Academy.

Symonds, on his decision to establish Hoops Magic Sports Academy: "I'm very pleased everyday. I know I did the right thing".

“I always said, if I get in the right position to try, I would” to build such an athletic resource said Symonds, during a lull in DC Metro Showcase action (an AAU/travel team event recently held at the facility). “I had an opportunity to focus on it”.

According to Symonds, further fueling his leap was a desire to not pine later for failing to follow up on his dreams. “I meet people everyday that say ‘I wanted to do it’. You have to go after it (goals and dreams)” he said.

Symonds then elaborated further on his go-getter mindset, saying “I’m like a gladiator in the ring. I’m going to fight until the end”. That outlook is illustrated consistently, working with the Mystics from 9 am to 5 pm weekdays, before clocking in at Hoop Magic from 6 pm to 11 pm. On the weekends, he’s at the facility, located at 14810 Murdock Street, in Chantilly, VA, almost from opening to closing.

And what a dream he has brought into fruition through that hard work and focus. Hoop Magic Sports Academy - recently celebrating it’s first anniversary having opened last April 1st – is a 65,000 square foot custom built structure, and includes one NBA/NCAA regulation court and six courts of high school dimensions, a training room, snack bar, plus comfortable locker rooms, all in an immaculately maintained facility.

Presently, young people, and adults play round ball at the facility in impromptu pick up games, structured league games, or tournament play.

But don’t pigeon hole the Hoop Magic Sports Academy as just a hoops hotspot. “It’s more than just basketball” commented Symonds on his facility’s product offering, hence its sports academy designation. “It’s used for training and volleyball. Also lacrosse indoor practices and football indoor practices are held here…To think of it as just basketball is a short vision”.

Additionally, an on-site educational center replete with computers and internet access has been established, something Symonds dubbed “most important”, as he believes too many athletes – young and old – allow “80% of their thinking to be on the floor” prompting mistakes to be made: Essentially, his point of view is the mind is not focused upon by some athletes, to their obvious detriment.

Behind every person with a vision, is typically a significant-other that makes it happen in many ways, and Pat Symonds is no different. Having been married to Curtis for greater than 20 years, she is not only a co-equal in the Hoop Magic Sports Academy dream, but also has been instrumental in her husband’s overall success.

“She is my partner, my friend” gushed Symonds of his wife, who not only manages the facility, but agreed to risk so much, when not doing so would have been the safe bet. “I love her dearly”.

Said Curtis Symonds of his wife Pat (above), "For over 20 years, she's rolled with me".

Mrs. Symonds is a fixture at the Hoop Magic Sports Academy, which is open 11am -11pm Monday through Saturday, and 9am – 9pm Sunday.

In fact, the entire Symonds family is involved, including sons Demetrius, Karrington, and Kurtis. “It’s a family thing” proudly noted the Symonds’ patriarch. “One of the reasons I built this is to create stepping stones for them”.

Those interested in embracing athletics in a clean, safe, well run, people-friendly environment, contact Hoop Magic at 703.268.5780. Entry into the facility can be effectuated through paying on a daily basis, as well as monthly, bi-annually, or yearly contracts.

Expect Hoop Magic Sports Academy to continue its growth. “Early on, my general manager and wife would comment that we needed more traffic” Symonds recounted, before stating “Gradually, it started to grow”.

“We are not a cookie cutter establishment” he continued. “We will continue to do little things to make it better”.

Curtis Symonds is committed to improving his personal dream with constant improvements. That bodes well for the D.C. athletic scene. A true resource has been established.