The fourth annual Beyond the Game: STEM in Sports Summer Camp concluded this week with 50 students from Dallas Park and Recreation Centers and across the metroplex gaining unprecedented access to sports industry careers. Hosted by Beyond the Ball, Inc. in partnership with Dallas Park & Recreation Department, the three-day program at Beckley-Saner Recreation Center transformed students into sports lawyers, business entrepreneurs, and medical innovators.
Sponsored by the Dallas Mavericks and NBA Foundation, this year’s camp expanded its community reach while maintaining high-caliber programming that has made it a national model over four years. The continued investment reflects their commitment to developing future sports industry leaders while advancing educational equity.
Real-World Professional Experiences
Students didn’t just learn about sports careers—they lived them. On day one, aspiring legal eagles worked alongside Brandon Thomas from Rawson Law, Taylor Calvert from Haynes Boone, and Derek Saunders from Biz Law Saunders to negotiate actual athlete contracts. Students stepped into roles as team owners and sports agents, experiencing high-stakes decision-making that shapes professional athletics.
“Watching these young people confidently present contract negotiations was incredible,” said Erica Molett, CEO of Beyond the Ball, Inc. “They were thinking strategically like seasoned professionals.”
Day two brought entrepreneurial innovation with Albert Sye, venture capitalist and strategic business partner to Shaquille O’Neal. As partner at 93 Ventures, Sye guided students through creating multi-million dollar business ventures for athlete clients, drawing from his experience facilitating major deals including the $20 million FORTO Coffee partnership with Shaquille O’Neal.
The final day focused on sports medicine and technology innovation, led by Dr. Shaun Garff, Director of Sports Medicine at Methodist Health System, alongside Methodist Health’s orthopedic divisions and Nike volunteers from across the DFW metroplex. Students designed cutting-edge sports equipment and developed treatment protocols, experiencing how technology transforms athletic performance and injury prevention.
Community Impact and Industry Partnership
The NBA Foundation’s sponsorship aligns with their $300 million commitment to economic empowerment in Black communities, while the Dallas Mavericks bring extensive community engagement expertise. This collaboration ensures students receive authentic insights into career pathways that extend beyond traditional sports roles.
The partnership with Dallas Park & Recreation Department proved transformative, leveraging the city’s infrastructure to serve youth from communities across Dallas. Students traveled from multiple recreation centers including MLK, Exline, and Pleasant Oaks, demonstrating the program’s commitment to reaching underserved communities.
Building Future Leaders
Over four years, Beyond the Game has established itself as more than a summer camp—it’s a pipeline for developing the next generation of sports industry innovators. Students left with expanded visions of their potential, seeing themselves as future sports lawyers, entrepreneurs, and medical pioneers.
This proven model positions Beyond the Ball for national expansion, with the Dallas program serving as a blueprint for communities nationwide. The success demonstrates how strategic partnerships between nonprofits, municipal departments, and professional sports organizations can create extraordinary educational opportunities.
As these 50 students return to their communities, they carry new knowledge and confidence to pursue careers they may never have imagined possible—proving that when we invest in youth development, we invest in our collective future.
