Supporting New Heights Youth

SEPTEMBER 2022

Congratulations to our Founder & CEO Will Blodgett on being named 2022 GameChanger of the Year by New Heights Youth, a nonprofit organization that uses basketball as a “hook” to prepare young men and women for success in life. As a former Division I athlete who used football as a pathway to the Ivy League, Will understands the powerful connection between athletic and academic achievement; a lesson he champions as a New Heights board member and mentor for participants of the program.

"I'm incredibly moved and honored to be recognized for my service to New Heights as a board member and as a New Yorker. Growing up as a kid with a chip on my shoulder and a passion for every type of sport, I know firsthand that harnessing your energy and competitive drive is the foundation for success in all aspects of life. I share this award with my team at Tredway, who are equally obsessed with championing the underdog and positively impacting the lives of others."
— Will Blodgett

Student athletes earn their way onto a New Heights team by proving themselves on the court and in the classroom. New Heights graduates have gone on to play in the NBA (Lance Thomas, Precious Achiuwa, Moses Brown ), WNBA (Emily Engstler, Kiah Gillespie), overseas, and at dozens of Division I colleges and universities. The program is renowned for cultivating leaders and preparing young men and women for careers at Fortune 500 companies such as Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Meta, among others.

The 6th annual GameChangers Ball was held at the organization’s new space at the Major R. Owens Health & Wellness Community Center in Crown Heights, Brooklyn on October 20, 2022, and drew more than 400 attendees from the worlds of sports, media, and business including New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley and former NBA players Lance Thomas, JJ Redick, and Emeka Okafor.

"Will is a staunch advocate for our mission and approach to developing leaders both on and off the court. This well-deserved recognition stems from Will's work on behalf of vulnerable children and families and his unwavering belief in the powerful connection between athletic and academic achievement." —Ted Smith, Executive Director of New Heights

We’re proud to report that this year’s gala raised more than $1.6 million to support New York City youth and their families, allowing for after-school, weekend, and summer programs that help young people discover and nurture their talents to support academic success, physical and mental health, and socioeconomic mobility. Over 85 percent of program participants identify as African-American, LatinX, or multi-racial, and many are the first in their families to graduate from college.