Wenonah High School’s boys and girls basketball programs have received a sizeable endowment from a new philanthropic initiative launched through a coordinated effort between Hibbett and Nike. The teams are the first in the country to be given a donation as part of the two companies’ First String initiative.

Players from both teams participated in a shoot-around with Jared Briskin, Hibbett President and Chief Operating Officer, Mayor Randall Woodfin, and Samantha Williams, Birmingham Promise Executive Director. Ahead of the shoot-around, Hibbett and Nike presented Wenonah with the $50,000 donation and surprised the players with the new Ja basketball shoes.

“We’re excited to launch First String,” said Jared Briskin, Hibbett President and CEO. “First String seeks to foster both athletic, academic, and career success. Launching First String in our own backyard means a lot. We believe in the power of community to inspire, uplift, and create opportunities for young people to succeed both on and off the court. We’re looking forward to seeing the impact First String will have on high school student-athletes and hosting these students in our local offices for career development opportunities.”

Mayor Randall Woodfin specifically praised Hibbett for its role in providing significant funding and support for the student-athletes.

“Hibbett has been a part of the Birmingham community for 79 years. To see the impact First String has on a local Birmingham school is empowering and encouraging,” said Woodfin. “We all want to see these players successful on and off the court, and First String will help ensure those students succeed. The partnership between First String and Birmingham Promise to help provide students with scholarship funding to continue their post-high school education and help identify possible career opportunities that continue to foster the Birmingham community.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten