The Satori Athletic Organization was born out of the experiences with my daughter, McKenna’s quest to play basketball at the collegiate level. Initially, her playing basketball was a source of recreation that evolved into a passion. As she played in elementary school, her passion turned into a determination to play in high school. Her high school team membership fostered her desire to play at the collegiate level. Over time, she realized her recreational activity could be a vehicle for her to receive her college education.

As her senior year approached, we realized that the competition for athletic scholarships was high and we both felt the pressure. At home, we debated about her nutritional eating habits and how it affected her game performance. We engaged in discussions on how critical injury prevention was at that time. There were moments when she became discouraged trying to balance her academic and athletic life. We juggled admissions applications, SAT testing dates, college visits, basketball games, and learning about the NCAA clearinghouse as it relates to college admittance and scholarships.

So often while I was going through this experience with my daughter I had wished we had a support system. I wanted to meet other parents who shared similar experiences. I wanted to be able to learn more about issues that would arise in my rearing a college bound athlete. I wanted my daughter to meet other athletes at a venue other than on a court where the spirit of competition is too high for athletes to acknowledge their similar goals. I wanted her to be encouraged to be an athlete that was physically, athletically, academically, and socially prepared, not only for sports but for life!

I did not know at that time that I was living the blueprint for the Satori Athletic Organization. After my daughter went off to college, I encountered a number of parents of athletes whose discussions with me echoed the need for an organization that focused on student-athletes and their families. I sat up really late one night unable to sleep for drafting a small plan and wondering could I organize such a venture in the community. I wrote that the concept of SAO should be simple and would be based on the love, energy, and support that a parent gives when their child is an athlete. We are the unwavering fans that experience every win, every loss, every success, and every disappointment with them. I wrote that the more we as parents learned about important issues the better we could support the athletes we cared for. After that evening, I no longer questioned whether I could organize such a venture, but knew how wonderful the Organization was going to be.

Parents and student-athletes are the energy behind SAO. Take a moment to view our site. Please take the time to email me as I love to hear about what resources are important to you to. This will ensure that SAO continues to facilitate workshops and initiatives that are relative and effective.

Simone Bellamy
Founder & President