In Spring 2009, Game Plan Academy (GPA) opened camp for the first time. Fast forward one full year, and now GPA has replicated its success in Sacramento and has expanded into Compton successfully. And with success comes thankfulness. All the mentors at GPA, which now includes former professional athletes Gio Carmazzi, Alex Van Dyke, Lyle West, and Tyus Edney, have enjoyed volunteering their time this spring to provide (what we hope are) inspirational resources to students who may not normally have access to these services. Collectively, which includes Brian Geremia, David Campos, Matt Carmazzi, Billy Downing, and Kai and Brent Pottenger, we are thankful for all those mentors who have me

Above: Brent Pottenger with former Sacramento Kings player, Tyus Edney (and his son) "You have to have a backup plan," shared one student-athlete this past weekend at GPACompton. Game Plan Academy (GPA) opened camp this past Saturday in Compton, California (Los Angeles). Over the past few months, my brother, Kai Pottenger, and I have worked collaboratively with the Compton Unified School District, Revolution Test Prep, and the University of Southern California to create a small pilot program for male and female basketball players at Dominguez, Centennial, and Compton high schools. The goal of GPA is to provide students (for free) with personalized and professional academic and athletic

Thanks. Thank you. We are thankful. Thanks to Coach John Fleming at Hiram Johnson High School for making his classrooms and fields available these past eight Sundays for Game Plan Academy (GPA).  Please VOTE for Hiram Johnson High School (by clicking here) in Kellogg's 'Plant a Seed' program to "Help Rebuild America's Playing Fields." Here is a message from John Fleming, Athletic Director and Head Football Coach at Hiram Johnson High School, about this wonderful competition: "Hiram Johnson has nominated our football field for a make-over by Kelloggs. Out of 3,400 nominations, we were selected as a semi-finalist. 30 of the 100 semi-finalists will receive a $15,000 upgrade to the facil

 "5:30 in the morning." "Euphemism." & "Saturday night." Mayor Kevin Johnson shared his authentic tales of the past with student-athletes at Game Plan Academy (GPA) this past Sunday at Hiram Johnson High School, leaving them with with one final message in the process: "Give back. Whatever you do, always remember to give back." Remembering the days when he scored 48 points in the Hiram Johnson High School gymnasium as a standout Sacramento High School student-athlete who led the state of California in scoring, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson was simply "KJ" for the day, mixing in humor with serious pleas while expressing words of encouragement and sharing pearls of wisdom and lessons le

One of the keys to serving local communities effectively is supporting existing institutions that already provide valuable services. The Sacramento Food Bank is one such institution. This past Saturday, Game Plan Academy (GPA) students assembled alongside GPA mentors, Jesuit High School alumni, teachers, students, parents, and staff as part of a GoDoGood project.  The mission of GoDoGood is to capture people's energy to 'do good' and put these passions into action in local communities. The Sacramento Food Bank provides an excellent outlet for Sacramentans who want to 'do good' for those in need in a well-organized, structured, and warm, supportive environment. GoDoGood brought a talented,