PONY is “Back in the Game”
Ron Bailey, Publisher
Interested in team sponsorship/partnership opportunities? Contact Frank Simpson at the via info above.
September 29, 2008 – For those of us who are children of the ‘80’s, the brand PONY means something, as many people nationwide used to sport the company’s shoes and gear. Those either very young or simply not born then, probably have no idea of the brand’s wide acceptance.
Well, the San Diego, CA based company has plans to once again become a household name. Part and parcel to those designs are grassroots basketball efforts.
“PONY is back in the game” said the company’s Director of Grassroots, Frank Simpson, who also functions as both Athletic Director and head basketball coach of Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School (MD). Simpson’s role in the effort has been to “assist the company in supporting quality youth programs, including both boys and girl’s basketball teams” since early July, his start date.
Possessing a streamlined management structure - which can facilitate fast organizational growth - Simpson is well situated to grow the organization’s grassroots (read direct support of youth sports programs) effort; he reports directly to the organization’s CEO, Kevin Wulff, along with PONY’s VP of Marketing Benjamin Woo, and VP for Public Relations and Sports Promotions, Colin Brinkley.
That chain of command, supporting the tireless efforts of Simpson and others has made significant leeway on their goal of supporting a team in all 50 states, as according to Simpson “31 of them, including the District” have teams. Such organizations receive not only shoes and clothing, but also revenue generating property partnerships, allowing the sponsored organization to generate money for its mission. Simpson also strongly noted “We support all age groups, not just the older kids” – news to the ears of those involved in elementary and junior high school aged hoops.
Following is an incomplete, yet descriptive list of organizations partnering with PONY include: D Elite (DC), Baltimore Grizzlies (girls), Iowa Elite, Montgomery Suns (AL), Charlotte Nets, ARC (California), and Maine Basketball Nation.
Simpson and PONY are not content on just supporting travel teams, as high schools have also benefited, including Don Bosco Rey, Eastern High School and KIMA Charter School, all of which are receiving backing.
When you add assisting travel/AAU teams and high schools with other ventures, such as according to Simpson “a major tournament that is a work in progress”, there is little doubt PONY is truly ‘Back in the game’. The hard work of Simpson et al are seeing to that.