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PCA Updates

PCA-New York City Launches

02.02.2016

Inaugural PCA-New York City Board Meeting

PCA has launched PCA-New York City, the organization’s 15th PCA Chapter across the U.S.  

Seed funders, Chapter Board Members and other key supporters comprise a who’s who of sports, business and philanthropy, including New York Knicks President Phil Jackson, who has served as PCA’s national spokesperson for more than a decade and attended the inaugural PCA-New York Chapter Board Meeting. Also attending the meeting was Jackson’s fellow PCA National Advisory Board Member Claudio Reyna, Sporting Director for Major League Soccer’s New York City Football Club.

The Knicks and New York City Football Club contributed seed funding required to launch PCA-New York City, along with Warren Lichtenstein, Executive Chairman of Steel Partners Holdings LP and founder of Steel Sports; Mary and Ted Dardani; Head Family Foundation; Paul Huchro and Glen Matsumoto.

PCA Founder and CEO Jim Thompson thanked the Seed Funders who made it possible to launch the Chapter: “Huge thanks to our Seed Funders and I’m especially grateful to Warren Lichtenstein for his early commitment to PCA-New York City. He really got the ball rolling.”

Lichtenstein, who also provided Seed funding for the PCA-Los Angeles Chapter, said, “As a sports parent I have seen how important positive coaching is to athletes being able to excel so I was delighted to provide funding to launch PCA in the New York City area where I grew up.”

In addition, the New York Yankees Foundation provided a grant to allow Positive Coaching Alliance to work with New York City’s Public School Athletic League.

PCA-New York City Board Members are: Karen Durkin (President, Durkin Agency); Linda Flanagan (Freelance Writer); Richard Gay (Executive Vice President of Strategy and Operations for BET Networks); Sarah Hollis (Vice President of Sports Marketing, Fox); Brian Litvack (Co-Founder, LeagueApps); Glen Matsumoto (Former Partner, EQT Partners); Jon Meltzer (Partner, Goldman Sachs); Joe Meyer (Founder and CEO, ExecThread); Steve Mills (General Manager, New York Knicks); Michael Poveda (Partner, Deloitte); Claudio Reyna (Sporting Director, New York City Football Club); Mary Scott (President of Sports and Brand Experience, United Entertainment Group); Parker Shannon (Founder, X-Factor Indoor Golf); Tommy Walker (Partner, Freemind Beauty Productions); Owen West (Partner, Goldman Sachs); and Andrew Zelter (Managing Director, Markit).

Thompson also called out New York Knicks President Phil Jackson for his long-time support.

Phil came on board in support of PCA almost from the beginning, more than 15 years ago.  His confidence in me and PCA was crucial in our early days, and I am delighted that he has stuck with us through the years.

Jackson who spent an hour talking about the challenges and opportunities of youth sports with PCA-New York City Board Members said, “I became a better, more positive coach because of my association with Jim and PCA, and I am delighted to be able to help bring PCA to the city where I first made my way in the NBA.”

In summary, Thompson said, “Positive Coaching Alliance could not be prouder of the group assembled to launch PCA-New York City. Our organization has long served schools and youth sports organizations throughout New York City and surrounding counties, including those in New Jersey and Connecticut, through our live, group workshops for youth and high school sports coaches, parents, administrators and student-athletes. Now, with a full Chapter Board in place, we can greatly accelerate our impact.”