The “On Air” light was live last week at the Regions Bank headquarters in downtown Birmingham as the SEC Network hit record on a new series that highlights student-athletes with an entrepreneurial streak. The inaugural “SEC Start Up” pitch competition will show viewers how SEC student athletes are purposing their sense of competitiveness off the field, toward bringing innovative ideas to market.
The series is an expansion of the Southeastern Conference’s (SEC) academic competition portfolio to showcase the entrepreneurial ventures of student-athletes in partnership with Regions, the official bank of the SEC.
Two teams of Auburn University student-athletes will represent the Yellowhammer State in the competition among SEC schools.
Ami Gianchandani and Ashley-Sinclair Curtis, members of the women’s golf team, pitching Accel Golf, a platform that provides players and coaches with tools to effectively diagnose strengths and weaknesses for more efficient practice. Auburn track and field athletes Allison Tanner and David Edmonson will pitch and promote The Digital Athlete, a technology that empowers athletes to take control of their health and performance using data-driven wearables and artificial intelligence.
Other featured businesses include ECO Reuse, a furniture refurbishment company from University of Missouri track and field athlete Michael Moriarty; Side Coach Sports, pitched by University of Oklahoma baseball player Luke Carrell; a sportswear boutique by University of Florida gymnast Leanne Wong; and Charms4Change, a cause-driven style brand pitched by LSU gymnast Savannah Schoenherr.
“Supporting student entrepreneurship not only helps individual students, but has the potential to help strengthen economies throughout our footprint, while nurturing the next generation of leaders and innovators,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said. “The expansion of our business and innovation programming compliments the economic and workforce related impacts of SEC institutions.”
The student-athletes prepared with pitch development assistance from faculty and staff at their respective campuses. The competition was filmed at Regions Bank headquarters in Birmingham as an ideal backdrop for the competition in a fitting partnership between two brands known for their reliable support for small businesses.
Tune in to see which student-athlete wins on the SEC Network on Monday, July 15, at 6 P.M. CST.
Grayson Everett is the state and political editor for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270
