BET.COM: Gametime Athletics Named Footwear Sponsor

July 10, 2007

Gametime Athletics Named Footwear Sponsor BET Foundation 2007 Summer Camp for Girls Footwear Company Donates Custom Sneakers to Girls Participating in Weight Loss Initiative

Kicking off the summer in style, Gametime Athletics has been named footwear sponsor of the BET Foundation 3rd Annual Summer Camp for Girls. The seven-day healthy living camp designed by the BET Foundation will educate African-American Girls about obesity and practical strategies for a healthier lifestyle. This year’s camp takes place August 4-11 at the Alabama 4-H Youth Development Center in Columbiana, AL.

Simply centered on the summer camp’s multi-colored logo, the footwear is designed with the youth appeal in mind. Campers will be fashionably fit in a pink, white, and green sneaker customized especially for the event. Sturdy yet stylish, the footwear allows campers to be hip while gaining insight on staying healthy. Not only will the footwear keep the campers cute and comfortable but will serve as a souvenir to commemorate and reward their efforts for working towards a healthier lifestyle. The campers will also be given matching t-shirts to add uniformity during their stay.

Based in Memphis, an established manufacturing and distribution capital and growing entertainment hub, Gametime Athletics received notoriety in 2006 after a joint venture to design shoe collections for the Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves and home team, Memphis Grizzles. Led by CEO Checliss “Big C” Rice, the company has become a community advocate in offering its footwear to cause-related programs. “We are very excited to be partnered with the BET Foundation for this event. We believe in giving back and it’s important to us that our initial involvement with them has been one of giving to a program like the summer camp” says Rice. “We are really excited that Game Time Athletics will join us as an in-kind sponsor and create a high-quality sneaker exclusive for the BET Summer Camp for Girls,” says Lynda Dorman, executive director of the BET Foundation. “Their partnership literally will help the girls walk, run or dance their way into a healthier lifestyle, and we could not be more thrilled to have their support for such a worthy cause.”

The BET Foundation created this special week-long camp as an innovative weight reduction and nutrition-based program for African-American girls ages 10 – 12 from low to moderate-income families. With the purpose to provide young girls with the vital information and tools necessary to aid them in making healthy lifestyle choices, and to serve as a “health” advocate for their family and peers, the camp curriculum will provide simple nutrition strategies; instill positive leadership and decision-making skills; and provide a fun-filled, memorable camp experience.

Gametime Athletics aids in this initiative for underprivileged girls whose parents may lack the means to purchase new athletic shoes for the camp. Rice hopes the custom footwear will help spark a positive self-image within the girls. “When you look good, you feel good. And when the girls return home, they will be reminded of the wonderful time they had at the BET Summer Camp for Girls. It motivates them to continue practicing the things they learned at the camp.”