Brian James (USA)

LAMB FOUNDATION AFFILIATION: Brian James is a member of the Camps Committee. In November, 2015 he was able to host a scholarship game in Clarendon, Jamaica with LAMB Foundation and a host of local supporters (see link to John Green Memorial Scholarship Match Recap). At an event initially planned for 26 registered participants, over 50 high school student athletes were in appearance which highlighted the need that exist for opportunities to play and study abroad. We are actively in phase II of that initiative in supporting those identified for potential scholarships with the application process. We are also putting together the initial launch of the 2016 John Green Memorial Scholarship Match.

OTHER WORK/AFFILIATIONS: Since completing my collegiate studies in 2004 with an MBA from Wright State University in Dayton OH I have been passionately working to do my part to give back to youth development primarily in Jamaica. As a former scholar athlete I received a lot of support sometimes from strangers who invested time and financial resources to aid my goal of earning a degree through athletics. I will always owe and debt of gratitude to those people.

I made a commitment to do the same when I am in a position to uplift other young men through sports and education in ways that will impact not only their lives but the lives of their families and communities. Through my years playing Division I soccer, first at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA and finishing up at Wright State University I developed a network of coaching contacts at all levels from Division I, II and Junior College. That network has grown over the years.

I have also maintained a strong network of local coaches and reliable contacts in Jamaica and here in the U.S. who help identify candidates that may be eligible for athletic scholarships. The support provided to these candidates include not only referrals to coaches but administrative and educational support in maneuvering what can be a confusing athletic scholarship application and eligibility process especially for foreign students. That process will include applying for, studying and taking the SAT and or the ACT examination, registering and completing the NCAA Eligibility Center certification, ensuring the appropriate national examination subjects are taken and passed at the right grade levels and securing transcripts reflecting the appropriate educational system conversion. In recent years some of the candidates to earn scholarships with the support of the Foundation in some capacity include Richardo Israel (recent graduate of the University of Cincinnati read more), Jordan Thorpe (University of Wisconsin Milwaukee), Derron Duncan (Lewis & Clarke Community College), Andrew Brown (Cincinnati State), Tevin Brown (Cuyahoga Community College), KeVaughn Blake (Cuyahoga Community College), Xahne Reid (University of Kentucky), Donovan Morgan (Point Park University / Alderson Broaddus University) to name a few.