CFISD Alumnus Partners with Dick’s for Donation to Cy Falls HS Basketball Program
Former Cypress Creek High School athlete and elite NBA and NFL performance trainer Justin Allen partnered with the Dick’s Sporting Goods Sports Matter program to host a panel entitled “Prioritizing Mental Health in Sports” at Cypress Falls High School on May 29. Allen, in partnership with the Sports Matter program, also made a $2,000 donation to the Cypress Falls High athletic program, where his former coach, Richard Flores, is the current basketball coach.
Justin Allen shared his gratitude for Coach Flores and how his guidance helped shape him into the athlete he is today.
“To me this was bigger than just me and Coach,” Allen said. “He did a great job of giving me the things that I needed when I was young and I want to be able to give back and share that same love that I received. I felt like this was a small part of doing that. I’m glad to be able to donate to the program, help these guys and to give them the knowledge that I wish I had when I was younger.”
Flores expressed how much it meant to have one of his former players come back to speak to his current players.
“It means a lot to have someone that can speak on their experience with me to my current players,” Flores said. “It’s invaluable. I’m so proud of Justin’s success and for him to come back and give back through Dick’s Sporting Goods just makes a great moment for us here at Cy Falls.”
The Sports Matter program helps under-resourced 501c3 organizations, schools and community teams across all 50 states provide opportunities for youth to play sports through funding provided by Dick’s Sporting Goods.
“Dick’s Sporting Goods is very excited to provide the Sports Matter grant to the Cy Falls athletic department,” said community marketing manager for Dick’s Sporting Goods, Aaron Pisk. “We believe in providing a foundation for the whole athlete which includes their mental health and academics, not just their athletic achievements. We’re so excited to partner with a school like Cy Falls that is putting so much emphasis on doing that.”
The Sports Matter program also takes a panel of current and former professional athletes to selected schools to share their journey with student athletes. Panelists also participate in a question-and-answer session that allows student athletes to ask questions and have an open dialogue with panelists.
The Mind Matters panel focused on prioritizing mental health in sports. The panelists were Justin Allen, Mike James, 13-year NBA veteran and 2004 NBA champion and Ryan Hollins, 10-year NBA veteran and Houston Rockets TV commentator.
Panelists were given a series of questions to answer highlighting their personal experiences with mental health and how those experiences shaped their successes during their athletic careers.
“I have a passion for the youth, I was once in their shoes and I’m glad to have the opportunity to work with Justin and be honest with young athletes about what it takes to make it to the next level and the stresses of mental health,” Hollins said. “We can see how even some of the biggest, strongest guys struggle with their mental health. I love sports because it gives you a chance to mentally work through those things and puts you under the fire of adversity. This was an amazing event and I’m happy to have had the chance to share in my passion for the youth.”
Source: CFISD
