10 years ago, Andre Ricks had a vision and it was to build a brand as well as a sports facility. 10 years later Andre Ricks is living his dream, he owns his dream brand, RAWiMPACT as well as his dream sports facility.
His path hopes to inspire the youth as well as athletes. “Sometimes it’s hard as an athlete because all you know is sports,” said Ricks. “You’re in the weight room, you’re in the film room, you’re in the classroom, you’re at practice and you’re playing in games. You never really have a chance to experience life as a student until you’re career comes to an end, and then when you get out of school, you think, ‘OK, what’s next?’
“Many kids think that if they don’t make it in sports, their life is over, but I’m the perfect example that you can still do what you want to do.”
“My best advice to them is, be resourceful,” Ricks added. “Get out and meet people within the community. Your network determines your net worth, and I think that’s the key to just about anything.
“I tell young college students that you have to get out of your comfort zone. Young people are used to being comfortable, but one thing I learned in college is that you have to be comfortable being uncomfortable.”
“If you can find something you enjoy doing, then you’ll never work a day in your life. You have to find what makes you happy and gets you excited to start the day.”
Two-time NBA champion Lindsey Hunter quoted, “I met Andre when he was a kid, literally,” Hunter said. “He came to one of my basketball camps, and you always look at the guards as far as who stands out and who has a bright future
