National Basketball Retired Players Association

National Basketball Retired Players Association
Abbreviation NBRPA
Formation 1992
Founder Dave DeBusschere, Dave Bing, Dave Cowens, Oscar Robertson and Archie Clark
Founded at New York City
Type Charitable 501 (c)3 non-profit organization
Headquarters Chicago, Illinois
Leader Arnie Fielkow

The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) is a non-profit association composed of former professional basketball players of the NBA, ABA, Harlem Globetrotters, and WNBA.[1] It was founded in 1992 by NBA Hall of Famers Dave DeBusschere, Dave Bing, Dave Cowens, Oscar Robertson and former NBA point guard Archie Clark. Also referred to as the Legends of Basketball, the NBRPA serves as the official alumni organization for the NBA, ABA, Harlem Globetrotters, and WNBA.[2] The NBRPA was founded in New York City and is currently headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, while also having chapters located throughout the United States in Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Orlando, and Phoenix.

Overview

The National Basketball Retired Players Association is a charitable 501 (c)3 non-profit organization that is supported by the NBA and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA).[3][4] The NBRPA seeks to assist former NBA, ABA, Harlem Globetrotters and WNBA players with their transition away from their careers as professional athletes. Additionally, the NBRPA works to positively impact communities and youth through basketball and mentorship.[5][6] In 2012, the Retired Players Association moved its headquarters to Chicago after 20 years in New York City.

Leadership

Board of Directors

The NBRPA is governed by a Board of Directors consisting exclusively of former professional basketball players that are elected by their peers.

Executive

Arnie Fielkow is the current President & CEO of the National Basketball Retired Players Association. Fielkow became the first non-player chief executive in the group's history when he was hired in 2011 after a national search. Prior to this, Fielkow spent five years in public office as an elected New Orleans city council member and six years as the Executive Vice President of the New Orleans Saints.

Ambassador & Spokesperson

In August 2014, the National Basketball Retired Players Association named Jalen Rose as their official Ambassador and Spokesperson.[7] Within this role, Rose will shape programs for former players while recruiting and enlisting the help of younger NBA players.[8]

Membership

The NBRPA's membership consists of over 700 former professional basketball players, featuring 70 NBA Hall of Famers and 41 of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players. Members include Michael Jordan, Julius Erving and Magic Johnson.[9]

WNBA Inclusion

On August 6, 2013, the NBRPA announced its inaugural class of former WNBA players as NBRPA Members after a historic vote by its Board of Directors.[10] The NBRPA announced Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, Nikki McCray, Carla McGhee, Dawn Staley, Sheryl Swoopes, Penny Toler, and Teresa Weatherspoon as the inaugural class of former WNBA players as NBRPA Members.[11]

Legends CareTM

Legends CareTM is the charitable arm of the NBRPA. Legends Care is dedicated to youth basketball and educational programs in addition to addressing social and economic issues facing membership and the greater community. Legends Care has partnered with other non-profit organizations such as the Police Athletic League, the National Urban League, and the Children's Miracle Network to enhance goodwill across its national reach.[12]

Full Court Press: Prep for Success

In 2013, the NBRPA launched Full Court Press: Prep for Success - a touring, nationwide youth basketball and life skills program.[13] Full Court Press: Prep for Success is a partnership between the NBRPA and other charitable organizations that provides youth basketball clinics and life skills workshops for underserved youth in cities across the United States. Anti-bullying, anti-violence, wellness strategies, and crime-prevention are frequent themes of these workshops. The program is designed to enhance the decision making skills of the youths by exposing them to positive role models and constructive strategies to combat negative behaviors and influences.[14]

2013 NBA All-Star Weekend

The NBRPA partnered with the NBA and the NBPA to raise $30,000 to help rebuild the outdoor basketball courts in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans. Additionally, the NBRPA led a free basketball clinic for at-risk youth during the weekend at the Oliver Bush Playground.[15]

Dave DeBusschere Scholarship Program

The NBRPA has awarded members and their families more than $1 million in educational funds through the Dave DeBusschere Scholarship Program and continues to raise funds in support of this initiative.[16]

Rebound Magazine

Rebound Magazine is the official publication of the NBRPA. Published quarterly, Rebound acts as a source of information pertaining to business opportunities, community outreach, employment, coaching positions, public service, and more.[17] Additionally, Rebound serves to highlight the post-playing accomplishments of the NBRPA membership.

References

  1. ↑ "PAFI Announces NBRPA Legends World Sports Conference as the next Outreach Event - PAFI". Retrieved 2014-09-05.
  2. ↑ "Subscription Center - ChicagoBusiness.com". Retrieved 2014-09-05.
  3. ↑ "NBPA hires Michelle Roberts as new executive director - FOX Sports". Retrieved 2014-09-05.
  4. ↑ "LaRue Martin, Antoine Walker Show Value Of, Need For NBRPA « NBA.com - Hang Time Blog with Sekou Smith". Retrieved 2014-09-05.
  5. ↑ "NBA, Others Aid Obama-Backed Program for Black and Latino Youth - Washington Wire - WSJ". Retrieved 2014-09-05.
  6. ↑
  7. ↑ "Jalen Rose named ambassador for Retired Players Association - NBA - SI.com". Retrieved 2014-09-05.
  8. ↑ "Jalen Rose adds ‘ambassador’ duties, seeks to bond current, retired players « NBA.com - Hang Time Blog with Sekou Smith". Retrieved 2014-09-05.
  9. ↑ "Subscription Center - ChicagoBusiness.com". Retrieved 2014-09-05.
  10. ↑ "espnW -- Teresa Weatherspoon breaks ground in retired players' association - ESPN". Retrieved 2014-09-05.
  11. ↑ "WNBA.com: National Basketball Retired Players Association Announces Inaugural Class of Former WNBA Players". Retrieved 2014-09-05.
  12. ↑ "Former N.O. Council President Arnie Fielkow eager to take part in All-Star Weekend as head of retired players - NOLA.com". Retrieved 2014-09-05.
  13. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20140310132702/http://www.iamempowered.com/article/2014/02/20/full-court-press. Archived from the original on March 10, 2014. Retrieved July 29, 2014. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  14. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20140310132702/http://www.iamempowered.com/article/2014/02/20/full-court-press. Archived from the original on March 10, 2014. Retrieved July 29, 2014. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  15. ↑ "Former N.O. Council President Arnie Fielkow eager to take part in All-Star Weekend as head of retired players - NOLA.com". Retrieved 2014-09-05.
  16. ↑ "Dave Debusschere Scholarship Program - High School Scholarships - Scholarships By Grade Level - College Scholarships - Financial Aid - Scholarships.com". Retrieved 2014-09-05.
  17. ↑ "Love of the game, love of winning - Wrangler News". Retrieved 2014-09-05.
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