Some of the talented, driven, and motivating individuals who represent what it means to be a Living Trophy.
Olufemi “Femi” Akinpetide
Femi Akinpetide is a born leader with a servant’s heart. Femi is a Living Trophy because he gives back to those around him on a daily basis with his warm smile, genuine interest in those he meets, and his caring ways. Femi lives out the bible verse “To whom much is given, much is expected (Luke 12:48)”. He is an active part of the community, and though he is a busy husband with four small children of his own, he still finds time to pour into others. Femi is currently volunteering as the Director of Media and the Co-Youth Pastor at the International House of Prayer in Springfield, Illinois. Femi has volunteered as Game Day Content Developer for the University of Illinois Springfield Athletic Department from 2014 to 2015, and as the Youth Activity Coordinator for the Boys and Girls Club of Springfield, Illinois from 2015 to 2016.
Femi has also developed a free online course on Umedy, an online learning platform, that teaches teens about the world of personal financial decision making. The course has sessions covering topics including: how to write checks, how to use debit cards and ATM machines, understanding credit cards and interest, and basic financial decision making. Follow the link to learn more about the course. https://www.udemy.com/course/introduction-to-financial-literacy-for-teens/
Nick Diatta is a Living Trophy. He is a young man who has always given back to his community. He has never taken his opportunity to get a good education, travel and meet great people for granted. While still a student himself, he held annual shoe drives to help put shoes on thousands of people in his country of Senegal. He always takes time to pour into young people and encourage them to reach for their dreams. Along with his Senegalese coach, Coach Boniface, Nick has created the NBBC Foundation. The NBBC (Nick Boniface Basketball Club) in conjunction with Cours Sainte Marie de Hann in Dakar, Senegal, helps introduce students to the game of basketball and to develop a love for the game. Last summer, Nick ran a free 10-day basketball camp in Dakar, providing children with opportunities to develop as basketball players and young people. Nick continues to show students through his organization that with hard work and commitment, you can earn opportunities that you never expected.
Bradley Beal – Guard for the Washington Wizard
Bradley Beal has made an impact as a Living Trophy by dedicating his time and resources into his AAU basketball progam Brad Beal Elite ages 14U – 17U. His St. Louis Basketball Club’s mission is to mentor, train, and develop young men and women through the game of basketball. Bradley takes time to connect with fans and give back to the DC community as well; by visiting hospitals, camps, and participating in free clinics for inner city youth.
Vytautas Valiulis – Assistant Basketball Coach Lokomotiv Kuban, a top tier basketball team located in Krasnodar, Russia
Vytautas is a Living Trophy because he uses basketball as a platform to help youth basketball players to achieve more in their lives and careers. Vytas is a creative and innovative player development coach who has worked with NBA, Euroleague, and Eurocup players. Recently, Vytas started pouring into local youth by working out amateur prospects free of charge in his home town of Vilnius, Lithuania.
Randolph Childress – Associate Head Coach at Wake Forest University.
Randolph is a Living Trophy because he has had a huge impact on the student-athletes he recruits to play for him at Wake Forest University. He is very active in the community as he sits on boards for Multiple Sclerosis, and Battered Women. He supports the Big Brothers and Big Sisters organization with both his time and energy. Randolph is considered a rising star in the college coaching profession.