CYM
Information About the Program
Founded by Dr. Shira Ackerman, Mathis Crowder & Charley Brown in 2011, Creating Young Minds Academy is using basketball to help change young men's lives and learn valuable lessons.
Creating Young Minds is a 501 (c)(3) Non-Profit organization located in Lake Dallas, Texas. CYM was created to help young men achieve success in life that otherwise would be unavailable to them. We focus on teaching, grooming, and developing young athletes into young men. The primary objective is to teach young men how to have a purpose in life, how to humble themselves, work hard, and have good character.
Our Vision
The young men living in our communities will gain a broader appreciation for self and others, education, and athletics through basketball, school, support and guidance.
Our Mission
We focus on teaching young men about the importance of education, hard work and being humble in all aspects of life.
Our Model
Creating Young Minds includes, CYM Academy, CYM Undiscovered League and CYM UL Youth Program.
CYM Undiscovered League is a Professional Basketball League. The purpose of the CYM UL is to help former, current and aspiring professional basketball players compete at a high level in front of Scouts, Owners & General Managers and Sports Agencies to earn contracts to play professional basketball at the highest levels possible.
We are replicating the European model of training, developing and preparing young athletes into Professional Athletes with the combination of our CYM Academy, CYM Undiscovered League and CYM UL Youth Program. The younger players from CYM Academy and CYM UL Youth will have the opportunity to train and play alongside Professional Basketball Players in the CYM Undiscovered League.
We are excited to announce that we have been named a
Finalist for Non-Profit Organization of the Year (micro)
by D Magazine D CEO!!!
Check out the video below to learn more about what we do:
https://youtu.be/rgJg5vd8QKI
You can check out the full article here:
https://www.dmagazine.com/business-economy/2024/05/finalists-announced-d-ceos-nonprofit-and-corporate-citizenship-awards-2024/
OUR TEAM
Building up. Instilling confidence.
Board of Directors
Creating Young Minds is governed by a group of individuals dedicated to achieving its forward looking vision and grounded mission. Each member volunteers their time, resources and expertise to support the program.
Dr. Shira Ackerman | Mathis Crowder
CEO & Secretary | President & Director of Player Development
Mathis Crowder, the co-founder of CYM, specializes in maximizing players potential physically, and mentally on the court. His advanced training techniques have helped many CYM alumni go from overlooked recruit to bonafide college and Professional athlete. Mathis Crowder spent 11 years as a Physical Therapy Assistant and has 20+ years’ experience as a basketball coach for young men and women between the ages of 11 and 30. He has a gift for developing the heart, mind and body of every young man he has the opportunity to coach. Mathis Crowder is respected in the basketball community as someone who can develop talent for all positions.
Dr. Ackerman, the co-founder of CYM, is responsible for the academic side of CYM helping ensure the program's players not only graduate but excel in the classroom. Dr. Ackerman has a Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis from Columbia University, 10 years’ experience in the field of Behavior Analysis; 20+ years’ experience as an Educator (Preschool through Graduate School; Special Education, General Education, University Level). She uses her expertise gained from her PhD to help the young men in the program to mature off the court. Dr. Ackerman works with the families for all the young men, monitors their education both in high school and college, has built relationships with community members.
Charley Brown
Director of Program Development & Finance
Charley Brown, the co-founder of CYM, has had a successful career in business and is a basketball enthusiast. As a forward on Cornell University's basketball team in the early 80s he had a successful career on the court. His basketball career continues even today wherever he can find a game. He helps coach and provides valuable experience to the CYM team. Charley has his MBA from Northwestern University, 30+ years experience in business, most recently the President and CEO for a publicly traded global company.
CYM CULTURE
Academics
All student-athletes are required to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA while in the program.
"Our desired result is for the young men to become responsible, educated, successful adults fully willing and capable of helping many others." - Dr. Ackerman
Winfree Academy Charter School, Lewisville Campus, is the current home for high school players. Winfree is a Texas Accredited School.
Our Post-Graduate and Professional Basketball Players will be working on their Undergraduate and Graduate (if desired) Degrees On-Line through Grand Canyon University.
Priorities
CYM was created to help young men achieve success in life that otherwise would be unavailable to them. We focus on teaching, grooming, and developing young athletes into young men. The objective is to teach these young men how to have a purpose in life, how to humble themselves, work hard, and have good character.
The first priority is the academic success of each athlete, the second priority is the development of self, and the third priority is the basketball skill development.
We have found that basketball is a very productive tool for reaching young men and teaching them these principles. If Athletes and/or Families fail to follow the guidelines and structure of the program, the athlete will be removed from the program at the discretion of the program directors.
Gratitude
'It takes a village to raise a child'. As you will see, this program is not about one person; it is about us coming together as a community to help young men become something great. We do this because we were called to do this.
We want to thank all the individuals who continue to give their time and hearts to the program.
- CYM Board of Directors
Creating Young Minds
LAKE DALLAS, TEXAS, 75067
UNITED STATES
Contact Us
If you have any questions about the program feel free to reach out to us using this form.
Or you can use one of the following methods to reach out to us:
Email: creatingyoungminds@gmail.com
Phone: +1.201.923.9039