John Hayden
SOFTWARE SALES EXECUTIVE
“Being a life-long resident of Manchester who was actively involved with Sport, I believe Sports matter and Sports make people better. I want to ensure every child in the Manchester School System, irrespective of their financial means, has the same opportunity to participate that I had. I welcome you to reach out to me directly and become involved with Value of Sport.”
Mark Duggan
FORMER CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NIKE-BAUER
“Participating in sports at an early age sets a positive foundation around physical activity, building friendships, and mentors for life. Finishing dead last in my 1st high school cross country race, I could draw off my earlier little league baseball and youth basketball lessons for determination and resolve to improve. With the support of great mentors, coaches, and teachers, we established training programs, achievable goals, building confidence through competition. Success followed hard work, earning collegiate All-America honors and a place on the USA Cross Country team. These experiences along the journey served me well in my business career as a manager and CEO. The Value of Sport mission is unique in its commitment to provide great mentors and access to Sport at a critically early age.”
Amy Allen
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT, MANCHESTER SCHOOL SYSTEM
“A student’s success is not by chance, it is by design. We must create opportunities like the Value of Sport that connects our young people to mentors and opportunities that they may not otherwise have. Coaching and mentoring guarantees that young people have someone who cares about them, supports them and show them they matter.”
Brian Bicknell
PRESIDENT, COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM OF NH – MANCHESTER
“The values I learned from participating in sports still resonate with me today. I learned a life lesson as an eighth-grader who got cut from the middle school basketball team: I could give up or I could work hard and get better. Hard work, focus and determination got me to the point where I not only made the high school basketball team but served as the captain. I still feel that getting cut from that team was the best thing that ever happened to me. I was able to experience the benefits of hard work, enthusiasm and passion. That same hard work, focus and determination propelled my academic journey. As a College President today, my goal is to provide students with access and opportunity. I know that in a supportive environment with high expectations, students who work hard can cross that finish line and succeed. For me, the Value of Sport is that, it teaches us how to excel in life.”
Allen Aldenberg
CHIEF OF POLICE, MANCHESTER NH
“Police officers are in a strong position to be a role model and mentor for our youth to assist them in achieving social competence and influencing them in a positive way and promoting positive and productive outcomes. The Value of Sport Program is the ideal conduit to achieve this and the men and women of the Manchester Police Department are proud and honored to be part of this program.”
Jamal Stockton
SVP, HEAD OF CUSTOMER INCLUSION, FIDELITY INVESTMENTS
“One of the greatest challenges for me as a kid and simply growing up, was just staying out of trouble. Playing sports and getting advice from my mentors and coaches allowed me to focus not only on the game but on the discipline that is required to win in sports and life. Those life lessons learned from the structure that sports provide are invaluable; team work, comradery, selflessness, self-awareness, respect and integrity amongst the many. I’m proud to join the Value of Sport as a Board Member and hopefully do for the next generation, what was done for me.”
Betsy Burtis
CHIEF OFFICER FOR INTEGRATED HEALTH SERVICES, AMOSKEAG HEATH
“For our kids who may be at risk for abuse and neglect, research shows that there are certain protective factors that can help strengthen families and build resiliency. The central core of the work being done by Value of Sport supports the development of those protective factors by helping kids learn conflict resolution, self-discipline, and team-building skills. They will be supported by mentors that will hopefully be a guiding force for all of their lives that they can reach out to when times are tough. And all of these wonderful life lessons are learned while they are having fun, being active, and spending time with their peers. I’m excited to work with the other Directors at Value of Sport to tap into our collective expertise and make this the best possible experience for our Manchester kids that will hopefully have a lasting impact.”
Karen Horsch
KAREN HORSCH CONSULTING
“As someone who has worked in the afterschool field for many years, I have seen the positive impact that high-quality afterschool and summer programs have on students’ educational outcomes and their social and emotional development. I believe that how students spend their out-of-school hours substantially shapes their futures. By combining the opportunity to participate in sports and arts programs with mentoring and coaching, the Value of Sport helps students learn to set and achieve goals, problem solve, and work with others—skills that set the stage for school and life-long success. I am pleased to be a part of the Value of Sport and to support its mission. “
Steve St. Pierre
PRINCIPAL, ST. PIERRE FINANCIAL SERVICES
“Growing up in Manchester I always participated in sports. Beginning with Little League baseball, Pop Warner football, Pony League, Colt League, High School football & track. During this time, I met some of my most cherished friends, many of whom are still friends to this day. These sport programs taught me how to work with others as a team. It also showed me how hard work and dedication can produce successes and failures, both teach us about life. I believe if I had the opportunity earlier in life to participate in a program, such as Value of Sport, my ability to achieve success in life would have been enhanced greatly.”
LeeAnne Hayden
SOCIAL MEDIA EXPERT, LEEANNEHAYDEN.COM
“Having watched my children grow up with the ability to participate in sports and how it enhanced their lives is something that one cannot take for granted. Value of Sport will, I truly believe, give so many children across the City of Manchester the ability to create the direction for their future. Imagine the impact and ripple effect it will have on so many across our Community? The things these kids will be able to teach their friends, families, and even us as the years go on. The Value of Sport Program has so much merit for everyone and I completely stand with its mission. “
Matt Lamothe
ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF, MANCHESTER NH
“The Manchester Fire Department fully supports and believes in the Value of Sport program and the potential it has in making positive impacts in the young lives of many within our community. The program was developed to help our kids, through sports, make personal connections with community mentors and role models. It is our sincere hope that this program will give all who are able to participate the confidence, life skills and lessons for future success.”
John Clayton
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MANCHESTER HISTORIC ASSOCIATION
“As a kid growing up on the West Side of Manchester, I was a member of the Police team in West Little League. We were terrible. We lost 14 out of 15 games. A year later, as a student at Gossler Park School, we won the Grammar School City Basketball Championship. Both of those polar-opposite outcomes were glorious, life-altering experiences, and the life that has since been lived has been constantly filled with sports. If by joining Value of Sport, I can help one child know the joy of competition, my time will have been well spent.”
Ernie Yerrington
RETIRED FEDERAL AGENT, US GOVERNMENT
“I chose to be involved with Value of Sport because growing up I was inspired by coaches and mentors who taught me the values of team work, commitment and discipline. I honor the opportunity to instill these same qualities into the student – athletes of Manchester. I hope they too can utilize these traits to motivate their lives and become our next leaders within the community.”
Nick Soggu
CHEIF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, SILVERTECH
“I am a firm believer that one of the greatest things we can do is shape the lives of future generations. Value of Sport gives us the amazing opportunity to mentor and positively influence the children in our community. Now more than ever, sports are necessary for today’s youth. This program provides us with a means to impart healthy lifestyle habits and lessons, and it help kids develop vital teamwork, communication and leadership skills that will greatly impact their futures.”
Christine Pariseau-Telge
CITY ATHLETIC DIRECTOR, MANCHESTER SCHOOL SYSTEM
“As the demographics change in Manchester, the Value of Sport will provide needed resources and funds to help a diverse and financially struggling population. Growing up in Manchester in a blue-collar family, where financial struggles were real on a daily basis, the fields around Manchester allowed us to be kids and gave us the opportunity to create friendships, feed our passions and provided an outlet to escape the daily routine. Sports help to build confidence, respect, patience and create a friendly comfortable environment. The Value of Sport can be the bridge to success for our next generation.”
Pubali Chakravorty-Campbell
CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER, GRANITE RECOVERY CENTERS
“As a former fitness industry entrepreneur and lifelong athlete, I believe that when young people grow to appreciate the concept of sports, they also learn key leadership lessons like discipline, teamwork, accountability, and resilience. Not to mention, sports are a wonderful way to build lasting relationships and become a multi-dimensional person. I was put into athletics when I was still in diapers. By the 4th grade, I was competing in state swimming competitions which led to varsity sports in high school, a commitment to recreational sports in college, and a long career that began as a fitness industry entrepreneur. The moral of this story is: you can always count on me to support and participate in any organization that believes in the Value of Sport. “
Darlene Conley
SOCIAL WORKER, MANCHESTER SCHOOL SYSTEM
“Personally and professionally, I have witnessed how being involved in Sport can help shape a generation. Setting and attaining goals, learning life and leadership skills, all while having a mentor for support and guidance, are the variables that set the Value of Sport apart from other programs. This program will remove the barriers of entry by offering any family a means to get their children involved in the Sports and Arts Programs most interesting to them. As students explore these Programs, they will build a healthy sense of self that will shape their future.”
Mike McCluskey
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AMOSKEAG INDUSTRIES
“I have participated in Sport, both team and individual activities, for my entire life. My life lessons have focused on teamwork, communications, and shared common goals. In selecting individuals for promotion, I was not only focused on results but also on how those results were achieved. Were the individuals under consideration able to communicate with their fellow workers, did their team enjoy working with them? Those were the people I wanted on my team and the skills they will learn through the Value of Sport program. Value of Sport can enhance the skills necessary to succeed in a wider set of careers. Enhanced skills such as teamwork, communications, and development of shared goals will allow Value of Sport participants to become future contributing members of the community.”
Greg Wicks
OWNER, THE WICKS AGENCY
“I believe the Value of Sport program will be a tremendous asset to the youth of Manchester. Sports meant everything to me growing up! They captivated me at a very young age and I’ve been hooked ever since. Sports have instilled the self-confidence and awareness that if I was willing to put in the work, that I could achieve the goal. Some of the most impactful relationships I have developed over the years have been with the mentors and coaches I met on the court or field. I was very fortunate to benefit from all the invaluable life lessons from playing sports growing up and I’m thrilled to pay it forward by being involved with Value of Sport.”
Anne McQuade
ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNER TEACHER- MANCHESTER SCHOOL SYSTEM
“As an ELL teacher in the city of Manchester, a federally mandated refugee relocation center, for several years, I have had the honor to educate and mentor children from all over the globe. In that time, I have seen too many students lost to the streets via gangs and drugs. As a mother of children who were involved with sports and a teacher of students who benefited from their involvement in sports, I have witnessed first-hand how valuable sports and positive school experiences can help to guide young people on a trajectory that will help them achieve academic success and much needed social and emotional skills. The Value of Sport will help students who have experienced trauma and negative life experiences find their niche, gain self-confidence, social skills, accountability, and responsibility as it will provide mentors and role models and opportunities to get involved with sports, music and art. The fact that the Value of Sport can provide students opportunities to learn life lessons that include attributes such as character and integrity, perseverance and determination, regardless of a child’s socioeconomic status, will help bring equity to the playing field.”
