Tech Startup Offering Scholarships to Athletes

  • 01/04/17

NEW YORK, NY – When it comes to sports, the phrase “pay to play” has never been more applicable. No matter what sport you play — baseball, lacrosse, hockey, etc.— the price of gear is rising dramatically. Not only is gear getting more expensive, but costs to play and participate on club and travel teams are rising too. That’s why SidelineSwap, a startup which launched in 2015, built an online marketplace where athletes can make extra cash by selling their extra gear and find great deals when shopping for their next season.

Keeping in line with its mission, the company is introducing the #GearForTheYear Scholarship. The company will select six athletes and outfit them for their preferred sport at no cost (up to a $500 value). Applicants will be judged by a panel of experts based on a short application and an essay describing the special opportunities sports have given them.

Co-founder and CEO of SidelineSwap, Brendan Candon, is a former college athlete and experienced the high cost of competing first-hand. In addition to costly club registration and travel fees, staying equipped with high quality gear was expensive. At the time, his only option was to buy brand new equipment at high priced sport retailers.

According to Candon, athletes were looking for a “peer-to-peer marketplace” where they could buy, sell and trade their gear with athletes just like themselves. On SidelineSwap they know they are buying gear from someone they can trust, another athlete who has used the gear he or she is selling and can help with the buying experience. Large online auction sites and retail sport stores do not offer this specialty marketplace with a community of experts.

Sellers on SidelineSwap are currently generating millions of dollars in sales and they community is growing quickly. “Our mission is to empower athletes by making sports gear more affordable. We’re doing that everyday as our community grows, and our #GearForTheYear Scholarship initiative is an extension of that mission,” says Candon.

To apply, you can visit deals.sidelineswap.com/scholarships. The deadline for applications is January 31, 2017.

Featured

  • Fellowes Launches New 3D Modular, Product Configurators

    Contract interiors and architectural solutions provider Fellowes recently announced the launch of new 3D modular and product configurators for several of its product lines, according to a news release. The new products offer SIF file integration and pricing for the Volo, Markerboards, Sena, and Rising product lines in connection with 3D Cloud, which provides 3D product visualization and 3D digital asset management.

  • Epson Receives Seven AV Industry Awards

    Projectors manufacturer Epson recently announced that it received multiple awards across the Higher Ed AV Awards, SCN Stellar Service Awards, and InfoComm 2025, according to a news release. The company was recognized for three projectors from its PowerLite L-Series line, accessories, installation process, and its customer support team.

  • Creating Long-Term Sustainability on College Campuses Through Fair Student Housing

    The quality of student housing can have a significant impact on an individual’s college experience. Today’s higher education institutions face mounting challenges, including declining enrollment, low retention rates between the first and second years, and a rise in student mental health concerns. Thoughtfully designed living spaces can help address these issues by creating environments that promote both academic focus and personal well-being.

  • Extron, CENTEGIX Partner for Comprehensive School Security Solution

    Professional audiovisual solutions provider Extron recently announced a partnership with CENTEGIX, which provides rapid incident response technology, to integrate two of their top products in the name of school safety.