Today we’d like to introduce you to Wade O’connor
Hi Wade, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
July 1971-May 1994-Grew up an Hour from Boston, Somerset Mass, went to school in Fall River Mass
Fall River Dreams?
I was a graduate assistant for men’s basketball at Marshall University from 1994-96 with Billy Donovan, now currently the Head Coach of the NBA Chicago Bulls.. Also on that staff was Anthony Grant, currently the head coach at the University of Dayton, Donnie Jones, currently the head coach at Stetson University and John Pelphrey, currently the head coach at Tennessee Tech. From 1996-2000, I was an asst coach at The University of Dayton, 2000-2004 Tulane University, 2004-2008 , Head Coach at St.Catharine College, 2008-2010, Asst.Coach at Western Carolina University, 2010-2012 Asst Coach at Morehead State, 2012-2013 Univ. Of Southern Miss.
married Aug 18, 2011 Before Children, Happiest Day of my life
2004 Collin John O’Connor Born 🙏
2006 Sydney and Hannah O’Connor born -Twins 🙏
Divorced Aug 31 2011
June 24 2013 Gift 🎁 of Desperation
Checked myself into an Alcohol /Drug Rehab Center-Gosnold -on Cape Cod in Massachusetts.
June 24, 2024, celebrated 11 years of Sobriety.
Nov 2013-Moved to Dayton Ohio to be closer to my 3 kids
Who’s Plan?
Jan 2014 Launched our LLC
Make Plays Today-2024 -10 Years-Our Purpose is to Transform Winners into Leaders using the Platform of Basketball.
How did WE Survive and Thrive through a World 🌎 Pandemic? Agape-ACTION of Love!! How can We Help You Today?
2014-2024-We have Spoken to/and/or camps in 12 Different States and impacted over 50,000 children .
Faith Over Fear
Covid June 2020-June 2021
12 Months in an old Salvation Army gym in Downtown Dayton, 3500 Sq foot gym, We had over 30,000 Boys/Girls in our Gym!!
Who’s Plan? 🙏🙏🏽
Nov 2018-Launched our Non Profit
937 Hoop Dreams -our boys High School league has produced over 100 players and over $10 million in Academic and Athletic Scholarships at the Division 1,2,3, NAIA and Junior College Levels. Our Staff has Played/Coached/Developed And OUR Own Children have Developed onto the Division One Level-Collin O’Connor Division One Stony Brook University
Jacob Conner -University of Dayton
Brady Conner-Wright State University
Parents-Craig and Meredith Conner-she played at Division One Miami of Ohio
Spring AAU Program travels in the Midwest-17 Teams -11 boys-5 Girls
Pain to a Re-Newed Purpose
Make Plays Today has progressed into Consulting for Companies, teaching through Leadership Workshops, creating Winning Cultures. We have our High School Recruiting Assistance Program and have teamed up with Divine Intervention and Recovery Center right outside of Dayton in Enon Ohio.. At Divine Intervention, opened in March of 2022, 146 Men/Woman have partaken in our 1 to 3 to 6 month program and only 1 person has overdosed and died. Unheard of Statistically. Why? Spirituality of our programs , and we share our own experience, strength and hope.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Gift of Suffering
As a Staff , we embrace adversity, look forward to the challenges and ultimately working together altruistically to serve others for a Collective Purpose.
Covid June 2020-2021
No indoor gyms available initially , we went outdoors. After about 3 months, an old Salvation Army Gym was given to us to use. In 12 months, over 30,000 children were in our gym and noone died either.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
When WE wake up in the morning, What are WE Grateful for?
1.Attitude of Gratitude-Thank you God, other people may say higher power- for putting air in my lungs, Grateful for a heart beat. Privilege to Serve.
2. WE ask one Simple Question.
How Can WE/I Serve/Help you Today?
From there, We Listen to Learn, Identify the problem , by the ACTION of Love, We collectively Lead and offer simple but sometimes not Easy Suggestions.
Can’t pay my rent-We help pay it, help them get a job.
Struggling with my marriage-Meet the husband, identify the priblem, suggestions.
I want to take my life, no hope for living-We meet, help them get professional help, pray together.
My Jumpshot stinks, suggestion, come to our gym and we can help you.
We also have our Make Plays Today Leadership Workbook and curriculum. Has been Implemented with our Service Men/Woman at Wright Patterson Air Force base , in our own programs and is Free online.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Faith Over Fear.
Surrender to Win!!
Risk?
If I keep drinking a liter of Rum today, I am going to die-June 2013
11 years of Sobriety, Grateful for God, 12 Steps of AA, my Spiritual Advisors
Healthy Fear is for me, to drink is to die. Am I going to risk that? Heck no, surrender to win, ask God to keep me away from a drink today, one day at a time. Progress Not Perfection.
Self Awareness-When I /WE Choose to be Loving-Agape-Action of Love-Bold and Serving, We Choose to have Faith in Our Purpose, risk, no, we see it as a Challenge because We are prepared for it, not prepared is Pressure/Risk.
I am an Expert….at what? FAILING!!
Pain to Purpose to Serve to have Peace in my heart and love for others..
Too many people want to be liked!!
When I/WE hold our own children accountable, are We loving or Unloving?
I can not control People, places or things. WE definitely can Influence by our action of Love, can always pray for the sick/suffering and our children who have no say in the matter.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.MakePlaysToday.com
- Instagram: wadeoconnor01
- Facebook: Make Plays Today
- Twitter: wadeoconnor01
- Youtube: wadeoconnor01
- Other: https://www.937HoopDreams.com
