Amazing Athletes announces 2014 Franchises of the Year and Rookie of the Year!

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - July 7, 2014 - PRLog -- Each year, Amazing Athletes honors franchisees who best embody the program’s mission to instill healthy choices and active lifestyles in children through sports. Through their dedicated efforts, these award-winning franchisees challenge their communities to take a youth-focused approach in helping cultivate the next generation of healthy, thriving and confident adults. This year, Amazing Athletes is proud to announce single and multi-unit winners of the 2014 Franchise of the Year, as well as this year’s outstanding Rookie of the Year, and first ever MVP selected by his peers.

“All of our franchisees are amazing, but we want to make sure we are recognizing those who go above and beyond,” said Amazing Athletes co-founder Dr. Janee Henderson. “Franchisees with this honor are active in their communities – they are constantly looking to grow and innovate. They participate in franchise events and provide feedback when asked for input. They are also willing to help out other franchisees and talk to potential franchisees. Most importantly, they have enthusiasm and belief in Amazing Athletes and its importance."

The 2104 Franchise of the Year and Rookie of the Year winners include:

Sue Anne Bigelow, Oahu, Hawaii

Despite being on her own in Hawaii, Sue Anne Bigelow has made great strides advancing her Amazing Athlete franchise on the island of Oahu since August 2012.

“My key to success is really the support from existing directors, parents and our Keiki who simply LOVE Amazing Athletes,” said Sue Anne. “We run the program efficiently with best in class support for our partners (schools and parents), and deliver best in class programs and coaching, compared to our competitor.”

As the only franchisee in Hawaii, she has succeeded in a challenging market, facing competition from longstanding extracurricular program vendors in the area.

“Sue Anne was undeterred and she has used her determination to build her business,” said Henderson. “She was able to recoup her initial investment within six months and has over 500 kids in her original territory.”

Sue Anne recently bought a second territory making her sole owner of the Island of Oahu. Her growth in a difficult market is astounding and certainly makes her deserving of this year’s Franchise of the Year award!

Justin Draper, North Central Texas (http://www.amazingathletes.com/northcentraltx)

Justin has grown his business tremendously over the last two years and his attention to detail is meticulous. He is constantly seeking ways to improve his franchise and the company as a whole.

“He always has valuable feedback that we can use to make things better,” said Henderson. “Justin has been asking for a nutrition component now for about a year and gave us good reasons as to why it would be successful.”

In addition to his focus on development and advancement, he maintains strong relationships with his schools and community. Justin has been a speaker at staff meetings and events to lead teachers through Amazing Athletes’ motor-development pieces to reinforce the importance of our program’s mission.

Justin has also recently purchased his second territory.

His athletic background of running multiple marathons, triathlons, playing college football and Ironman competitions, fuels his belief that anyone can show a child how to play a sport, but he believes it takes a unique blend of patience and enthusiasm to give the child a chance to love sports.

For that reason and many more, we congratulate Justin for his well-deserved Franchise of the Year award!

Franchise of the Year (Multi unit)-tie
Logan Hastings, Northern Colorado (http://www.amazingathletes.com/noco)

Logan originally began her journey at Amazing Athletes as a coach. She found coaching at Amazing Athletes for nearly five years ever-entertaining and was excited at the opportunity for ownership. She is rigorously dedicated to bringing Amazing Athletes to its full potential in the active Northern Colorado area.

“Logan has grown the territory and since purchased a second territory which is now seeing steady growth,” said Henderson.

A former competitive swimmer from age five through high school, she now stays active in her community tennis and bowling clubs. Through this journey, she’s been married, had her first child, and is now expecting her second.

Her swift growth during a transient time is commendable and certainly makes her deserving of this year’s Franchise of the Year award!

Michael Amberg, Eastern Oklahoma (http://www.amazingathletes.com/easternok)
Michael has been honored with receiving his second Franchisee of the Year award, as well as this year’s MVP Award, which was voted on by his peers. Michael never stops at ‘okay’ and is consistently pushing to ensure his business never ends up in a rut.

“Nearly half of the press from last year that we received came out of Michael’s territory,” said Henderson. “Most notably for his volunteer work at The Little Light House and his establishment of local Family Fun Days.”

His passion for both his community and the Amazing Athletes program is evident in his business relationships and classes. Michael reached the 500+ enrollment award this year and serves as one of the program’s mentors.

Michael’s relentless drive and devotion to the program’s mission is admirable and we congratulate him as a two-time recipient of Franchisee of the Year!

Rookie of the Year

Tony Perachiotti, North Bay California (http://www.amazingathletes.com/northbay)

Tony was selected as Rookie of the Year for his standout performance as a new franchisee.

“Tony has built partnerships with schools we’ve never seen before,” said Henderson. “These include options with reduced tuition for low-income students and options with partial pay by the facility and partial pay by parents.”

His passion for sports and fitness began at an early age where he played various sports such as soccer, football, baseball, basketball, golf and mountain biking. He continued his hunger for sports through high school and played baseball and lacrosse at Santa Clara University.

His passion and enthusiasm for sports coupled with his desire to help prepare low-income youth for success through increased awareness makes him our Rookie of the Year!

Franchises with 500+ enrollment

Michael Amberg | Eastern Oklahoma

Sue Anne Bigelow | Oahu

Sonja Brummer | San Diego

Lee and Diana Collins | Arizona East Valley

Logan Hastings | Northern Colorado

Rory Levine | North Shore/Suburbs Chicago

Shawn Kenny | South & Central New Jersey

Amber Fletcher and Natalie Phillips |Bakersfield

Kelly and Anthony Scuorzo |North & Central New Jersey

Sarah Willard | Minneapolis

Amazing Athletes began its Franchise of the Year award program in 2007 and added the Rookie of the Year award in 2009 as a way to honor high-achieving franchise owners in the program. A trophy and official announcement of the winners was presented at Amazing Athletes’ biennial conference in Las Vegas at the Red Rock Casino Resort Spa on June 27, 2014.

Visit www.amazingathletes.com/hall-of-fame for a list of past award program winners.