Mike Conley Nominee for the 2015-16 Season-long NBA Cares Community Assist Award presented by Kaiser Permanente
For Mike Conley, giving back to the community is in equal part professional responsibility, personal mission and heart-felt passion. As the team leader on and off the court, MIKE has consistently stepped up and into his role as Community Ambassador, advocating on behalf of children and families in need. THIS SEASON, MIKE RAISED HIS HAND TO BE THE PUBLIC FACE OF SEVERAL NBA CARES PROGRAMS AND PARTNERSHIPS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT HIS FOCUS ON THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF MEMPHIS’ YOUTH. LISTED BELOW ARE SOME OF THE MAJOR PROGRAMS AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT MIKE CONLEY WORKED WITH DURING THE 2015-2016 SEASON.
In July, Mike headlined the 2015 NBA Nation tour in China (the NBA’s largest free basketball and lifestyle touring event). He tipped off the festivities in Beijing by leading a NBA FIT Clinic and it was the first of many. Over the course of his visit, Mike participated in a variety of basketball activities, signed autographs, all while maintaining his signature authenticity with fans.
With the start of the season, Mike raised his hand to become the Memphis Grizzlies Jr. NBA Ambassador, and in that capacity, he agreed to host and/or lend his name to basketball skills clinics over the course of the season. Those skills clinics targeted the 6-14 year-old population that the NBA has identified as Gen Next. In Memphis, offering skills and drills isn’t enough to prepare kids for the game; there are additional barriers to play that must be addressed. One major obstacle is that many of our youngest people lack the right footwear to get out on the court and compete – comfortable sneakers that fit.
"Shoe Up! with Mike Conley"driven by your Mid-South Ford Dealers, was a season-long initiative to provide shoes and basketball skills training to kids from under-served communities across Memphis, many of whom live in the poorest zip codes in the country. The kids who participated in Mike's Shoe Up! events, also participated in a Jr. NBA Basketball Clinic focused on nurturing a love for the game.
Mike was also named to the NBA FIT Team comprised of NBA Family members including players, coaches, officials, trainers, and health-related experts who agree to serve as positive role models for kids and parents. As a FIT team member, he committed to attend grassroots fitness events, promote valuable fitness information, and continue to model good healthy life choices.
Mike Conley is passionate about health and fitness, and he has choosen to use his celebrity to not only teach the fundamentals of the game, but to also share the intrinsic life skills that are so crucial in the growth and development of young people. Being GrizzFit is about more than just exercise; it’s about being physically, mentally, and socially fit.
Mike Conley is a St. Jude ambassador, committed to raising awareness of the lifesaving work of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Not only has Mike visited the hospital dozens of times this season, he has also led the Grizzlies organization in a new fundraising campaign entitled "Grizz Assists for St. Jude" during Hoops for St. Jude Month.
Over the past six years, Mike Conley has been an active supporter of the Methodist Healthcare Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center. Fundraising for the Sickle Cell Center of Memphis is important to him because two of his family members have been affected by the disease. This season, Mike hosted his 7th annual Bowl 'N Bash event to benefit the Methodist Healthcare Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center.
The Memphis Grizzlies Foundation is dedicated to harnessing the power and promise of sport to transform lives, particularly those of children living at risk. Mike Conley is committed to youth development and works closely with the Memphis Grizzlies Foundation each year to make a positive impact on the lives of young people in the community.
JULY 2015
NBA Nation
From July 24th-29th, Mike Conley participated in NBA Nation in China. Through this opportunity, Mike was able to share his love and knowledge of the game of basketball with thousands of fans on the other side of the world. Conley hosted NBA Fit clinics, basketball clinics, and participated in a NBA Cares wheelchair basketball event where he was taught how to play the game by the athletes in attendance. This unforgettable experience set the tone for how Mike would grow his impact this season in the community.
September 2015
The 7th Annual Mike Conley Bowl 'n Bash
On Saturday September 26th, Mike Conley, with support of his teammates, hosted his 7th Annual Bowl 'N Bash event. The event, presented by City Auto, benefits the Methodist Healthcare Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center. The center is among the most innovative in the country and is Memphis’ first dedicated emergency infusion unit specifically for adult Sickle Cell patients.
By taking part in the event, fans not only did their part in the fight against Sickle Cell Disease, they also got a chance to spend a fun-filled afternoon with Conley, his Grizzlies teammates, and other special guests. This year's event raised over $100,00 dollars.
October 2015
Jr. NBA Clinic
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES GUARD MIKE CONLEY HOSTED A SKILLS AND DRILLS BASKETBALL CLINIC OCTOBER 14, 2015 AT LESTER COMMUNITY CENTER FOR 50 KIDS FROM THE BINGHAMPTON COMMUNITY. THIS was MIKE'S inaugural EVENT AS THE GRIZZLIES JR. NBA AMBASSADOR. CONLEY SIGNED ON TO promote the game among the youngest fans BECAUSE OF HIS COMMITMENT TO YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE POWER OF SPORT. THIS SEASON, CONLEY HOSTED A SERIES OF CLINICS IN WHICH HE GAVE PARTICIPATING YOUTH BASKETBALLS, SHOES, AND OTHER EQUIPMENT TO ENSURE THEY HAVE THE TOOLS AND CONFIDENCE TO PROPERLY ENGAGE IN THE GAME.
At the end of the clinic, each participant received a Grizzlies basketball from Mike Conley to encourage them to continue to practicing the skills learned during the clinic.
November 2015
"SHOE UP! WITH MIKE CONLEY"(DRIVEN BY YOUR MID-SOUTH FORD DEALERS) IS AN INITIATIVE that grew out of his role as Jr NBA Ambassador. knowing that so many kids in memphis lack proper footwear to play, mike pledged to provide 500 pairs of under Armour shoes to deserving young student-athletes.
On NOVEMBER 28, 2015. Mike launched Shoe Up! IN THE GRIZZLIES’ BUILT FORD TOUGH PRACTICE FACILITY with an event for 100 KIDS FROM THE COMMUNITY. AFTER “SHOEING UP” WITH CONLEY, KIDS WERE JOINED BY THE GRIZZLIES ASSISTANT COACHES AND CONLEY FOR BASKETBALL CLINIC.
January 2016
On January 26, 2016 Orion Federal Credit Union presented a $15,000 check to Mike Conley to benefit his charity of choice, the Methodist Healthcare Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center.
Mike Conley and Daniel Weickendand, Orion Federal Credit Union CEO
All proceeds from events like Mike's Bowl ‘N Bash, from his Sportsmanship Award, as well as donations like Orion’s, help ensure that all sickle cell patients receive the care they need regardless of their financial circumstances.
Paula Jacobson, Methodist Healthcare Foundation President, Mike Conley, and Daniel Weickendand, Orion Federal Credit Union CEO
TO CELEBRATE NBA FIT WEEK, on January 29, 2016 MIKE HOSTED a second shoe up! event for 200 CHILDREN IN ARENA. FOR THIS EVENT, MIKE PARTNERED WITH SAMARITAN’S FEET, offering KIDS A RITUAL FEET CLEANSING IN ADVANCE OF RECEIVING NEW SHOES. because it was fit week, KIDS WERE ALSO ABLE TO RECEIVE A FREE HEALTH SCREENING FROM UT MEDICAL STUDENTS. ONCE SHOE’ED UP!, THE KIDS JOINED MIKE AND GRIZZFIT COACHES FOR A BASKETBALL CLINIC SHOWCASING FANCY FOOTWORK AND FITNESS TIPS, AMONG OTHER THINGS.
Mike Conley won the NBA Cares Community Assist Award presented by Kaiser Permanente for the month of January. A $10,000 dollar donation was made to the charity of Mike's choice, the Memphis Grizzlies Foundation, on on his behalf.
March 2016
THE MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES, LED BY ST. JUDE AMBASSADOR MIKE CONLEY, extended the traditional nba HOOPS FOR ST. JUDE week for an entire month, campaigning THROUGHOUT MARCH AND APRIL to raise awareness and funds for the world class organization. MIKE TIPPED off THE“GRIZZ ASSISTS FOR ST. JUDE” CAMPAIGN WITH A GENEROUS PLEDGE OF $15 FOR EVERY ASSIST THAT THE GRIZZLIES ROSTER TALLIED DURING THIS TIME PERIOD. FANS were encouraged to OPT IN AND SET THEIR OWN PLEDGE AMOUNT to support the campaign.
on March 29th, 2016 Mike SURPRISED THE BOYS AND GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAMS FROM BELLEVUE MIDDLE SCHOOL WITH NEW UNDER ARMOUR SHOES AND the chance to learn a few new moves from the man himself. this shoe up! event was special: it was designed to reward the student-athletes of bellevue for their championship success and their commitment to academics - all team members made the honor role.
April 2016
on April 10, 2016 Mike Conley led the exclusive Grizzlies VIP Hoop School, for the children of Grizzlies' Premium MVP season ticket holders. The children were taught the fundamentals of the game and got encouragement from Mike as he led them through drills to help them improve their skills.
The Good Sport
Mike Conley was named the 2015-16 NBA Sportsmanship Award winner and was presented the Joe Dumars Trophy April 24th, 2016. The annual award reflects the ideals of sportsmanship -- ethical behavior, fair play and integrity -- in amateur and professional basketball, a key focus of the league’s NBA Cares program. The NBA made a $10,000 donation on behalf of Conley to his charity of choice, Methodist Healthcare Foundation, with the money earmarked for the Methodist Sickle Cell Center.
“I’m humbled to be recognized by the league again for an award that celebrates more than just winning on the court. This award is more than a trophy – I’m able to celebrate it with my family, who helped instill the values of teamwork, as well as with my coaches, teammates and all of Grizz Nation.”------Mike Conley
Conley, who previously won the award in 2013-14, joins Grant Hill (three) and Jason Kidd (two) as multiple winners since the award’s inception in the 1995-96 season.
MIKE CONLEY EPITOMIZES ALL OF THE VALUES WE STRIVE TO TEACH CHILDREN THROUGH BASKETBALL - WHY WE PLAY: DEDICATION, TEAMWORK, COMMITMENT, GENEROSITY AND HUMILITY. HE IS AN AUTHENTIC ROLE MODEL AND THAT MAKES HIM THE PERFECT PLAYER TO LEAD PROGRAMS TARGETING YOUNG PEOPLE.
Mike worked tirelessly this season, committing to sustained season-long community outreach and support. his effort and impact is second to none.
“I feel a responsibility to give back to my community, particularly to kids. Memphis is a great city with great fans, but there’s a lot of need, a lot of poverty here; and it’s important to me to be engaged in making a meaningful difference with everything I do.”------- Mike Conley
MIKE CONLEY can win THE SEASONLONG NBA CARES COMMUNITY ASSIST AWARD, PRESENTED BY KAISER PERMANENTE, but he NEEDS YOUR HELP!
you can cast your vote for mike conley! fans can participate in the nba social media campaign FROM MAY 9TH - MAY 18Th. To cast your vote for Mike, simply use the hashtags #NBACommunityAssist and #MikeConley via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Example: I voted for #MikeConley to win the #NBACommunityAssist and you should too!
VOTING RULES
Twitter: Retweets count as 1 vote. Original tweets count as 1 vote. All posts must include both campaign hashtags.
Instagram: Comments on posts do not count!!!! Only original posts count as 1 vote. All posts must include both campaign hashtags
Facebook: Original posts count as 1 vote. Comments on other posts count as 1 vote. All posts must include both campaign hashtags.
MIKE NEEDS YOUR HELP SPREADING THE WORD ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN AND ENCOURAGING OTHERS TO CAST THEIR VOTE TO HELP HIM WIN THIS HONOR. Please SHARE THE LINK TO THIS PRESENTATION (below), TO GIVE OTHERS AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT MIKE'S SEASONLONG EFFORTS IN THE COMMUNITY THIS SEASON.
https://slate.adobe.com/cp/KoCwg/
Credits
Photos: Joe Murphy, Nikki Boertman, Spencer Soo, Casey Holiday, Karen Pulfer Focht, Getty Images, Methodist Healthcare, St. Jude children's Research Hospital, NBA.Com, Grizzlies.com
Videos: Nick Modisett, Grizzlies.com
Information Recaps: Grizzlies Media Relations- Jason Wallace, Kerri Harper, and staff; Grizzlies Community Engagement- Diane Terrell, Tim Jordan; Methodist Healthcare; St. Jude Children's RESEARCH Hospital
JOE MURPHY, NIKKI BOERTMAN, SPENCER SOO, CASEY HOLIDAY, KAREN PULFER FOCHT, GETTY IMAGES, METHODIST HEALTHCARE, ST. JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL, NBA.COM, GRIZZLIES.COM