Today we’d like to introduce you to Nathan Pendarvis.
Hi Nathan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I began playing basketball at a young age which turned to be a huge part of my life. I am from Oklahoma City, OK, and played all my adolescent years there but I continued my basketball career in California at San Bernardino Valley College. With the year of 2020 being a tough year for everyone, myself included especially because recruiting was affected due to COVID. I decided that I wanted to give back to the community using what I was most passionate about. Although I played college basketball at San Bernardino Valley College, I decided to give back and experiment with my home town first. I ran my first basketball league called “The Great Runs” summer 2020 in okc. The league was a huge success and I was able to provide a safe space for athletes to enjoy themselves and enhance their skills.
After running a successful league where I played basketball most of my childhood, I decided to run a league in the Inland Empire summer 2021. Without giving away too much information just yet, details are in the process of being solidified and my league will be giving back to the youth by giving an educational scholarship away. I am still playing college basketball but I am determined to continue to give back to the communities that help mold me into the man I am today.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The process of beginning my league was not a smooth road because I has to adjust to being behind the event versus on the court of the event. There were so many things that I took for granted because I did not realize the amount of effort it took to run a basketball event successfully.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My league was created to give athletes a safe space to enjoy themselves as players and as attendees. We strive to create an environment that welcomes everyone and gives back to the community because the success of the league is credited to our supporters. We are just getting started but we would like to let everyone know that they are welcome to participate or attend our events. Our current league welcomes high school students, college students, adults, etc. eventually we will run smaller youth leagues but that is all in store as time goes on and hopefully, we will be able to venture out to even more cities.
How do you think about luck?
Honestly, I don’t really believe in luck. I believe in putting in the work and everything will work out as long as you’re passionate and consistent with your efforts.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/thegreatruns_
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/thegreatruns__
Image Credits
Joshua Cleary – JRC MEDIA Marcus Graves
