Our Story

Get to Know the Scholar-Athletes

We are Shane and Avery and we are scholar-athletes. We have played many sports, and currently we both play basketball and baseball. Being a scholar-athlete is difficult, but in the end, it’s all worth it. 

When we heard that a reporter told Lebron James to “Shut up and dribble”, our mom talked to us about why that comment was so demeaning and disrespectful. Our dad had us watch some documentaries, including More Than an Athlete, Basketball County and Best Shot. Kobe Bryant once said, “Everything negative – pressure, challenges – is all an opportunity for me to rise.” That’s why we promote being a Triple Threat; Scholar, Athlete and Swag. 

Our mom has been an educator for 20 years and is now a school principal. Our dad is a sports fanatic and financial advisor. When you mix the two, you get two stressed out scholar athletes! Just kidding.

Sports come with a variety of skills and attributes, some look at them as mere games, while others look at it as a way of life. These are just interpretations but it shows how sports: a ball, bat, hoop or goal can impact someone’s life. Then again sports can’t always provide for you or your family since a rare group of people play professionally. Academics are essential for realistic opportunities to further your practical abilities. Without engaging in knowledge, you limit your possibilities. There are benefits to being a scholar-athlete, and the greatest lesson is really simple, always give your best. 

The SWAG is a bonus. Sure, we are middle schoolers and how we show our confidence matters. However, swag is also about courage and taking a stand. In our 7 years of experience, good things happen, bad things happen. And you know what? That is ok. Rallying back to win a game. This is an example of a good experience. We define swag as leading when the team is down, and spectators presume the team will lose. But instead you say, 'The game isn't over! We need to go hard until the end!' 

Ultimately that is what our message in our store says, never listen to the haters and always go hard!

-Shane & Avery

P.S. All Art is created by Artist Gwen Verner