VaShone Rhodes is a former Student Basketball Manager under Coach Bob Knight of Indiana University. While working directly with Coach Knight and his staff, VaShone worked to scout teams and players, as well as break down film for training and officiating purposes. In addition, he was responsible for the coordination, development, and implementation of Bob Knight's Basketball Coaching Clinic Camps. Mr. Rhodes has also been actively involved in former NBA player’s basketball camps and has developed his own personalized skills development program for athletes of all ages.
Outside of the basketball arena, Mr. Rhodes has developed a solid background in finance and risk analysis, as well as business-to-business relationship development. He holds a bachelors degree from Indiana University. He has worked for corporations such as United Parcel Services (UPS), where he worked in the field of Business Development, and currently with GE in Sales.
The ability to transition from athletics to business can often be a challenging experience without the proper “real life”, business, and leadership skills. Mr. Rhodes’ own life provides a good example of the way that athletic aspirations can be successfully transitioned.
Rob Howe, Executive Director
Rob has over 30 years of experience running high tech businesses and as an educator. Rob has been CEO of Etelcharge, President of CompUSA PC, Sr. VP of Dell North America and has held executive positions with AT&T, IBM and NEC.
Rob’s belief in the redemptive power of sports originated in his own experiences as a player, a teacher, a coach and a father. “I learned about leadership, sacrifice, discipline, commitment and courage playing basketball in high school and college. Those skills translated for me into a long and successful business career because I had been the beneficiary of both the educational and character foundations required to be successful. I know firsthand the joy and the tragedy that can come in an athlete’s life after the whistles fall silent. I am honored to be a part of Life After Whistles and am thrilled at the opportunity to assist young athletes in their preparation for college and beyond through the programs we implement. I am equally thrilled to be able to tell our story to the millions of people who sincerely want to find a way to help young athletes prepare for their lives beyond the competitive arena.”
Angela Fields, Dean of Athletics
Angela Fields was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio and attended Jefferson Township High School where she played volleyball and was state champion in track and field. Angela went on to further her education at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. She received a Bachelors of Science degree in Education in 1984. Angela taught high school at South Oak Cliff in Dallas, Texas for 13 years where she earned success in coaching volleyball winning coach of the year five times and received special recognition from the Dallas ISD school board. While at South Oak Cliff, she hosted volleyball and basketball tournaments raising funds for school athletics. She was a camp coach for the University of Texas Volleyball Team for eight years.
In 1999 Angela founded the South Dallas Starlings Volleyball club, which is an affiliated of the non-profit Starlings in San Diego, California. She provided an opportunity for girls from diverse social economical backgrounds to train and play volleyball. In 2001 Angela pursued her passion of empowering people through sports and life skills programs at South Dallas Weed and Seed as Program Coordinator. She also started volleyball and baseball programs, leadership programs and summer sports camps for boys and girls. During her tenure at South Dallas Weed and Seed, Angela provided services for over 2500 youth in the Southern sector of Dallas. On January 16, 2004 Angela Fields was recognized by the Mayor and the city of Dallas for her community service efforts. She also received notoriety from local news papers and television stations for her work in the Dallas community.
Rae’s Hope Inc. is Angela’s vision for the future of our youth and young adults. She is dedicated to promoting the empowerment of young men and women by offering prevention programs for girls and boys from diverse social economic backgrounds. She wants to expose the empowered people to the challenges that our youth face and provide the platform to help. She believes that collectively, we can learn to empower each other by working together. She creates jobs for young adult men and women that provides programs for children each year. Angela Rae Fields thrives to make a difference in the lives of other people. She wants to Revive the Ability and Empower Success by Helping Others Persevere Everyday to live out their dreams.
Kevin Butler, Vice President of Leadership & Development
Kevin was born in Jackson, MS, but grew up in Oakland, California. As an exceptional basketball player Kevin earned a full basketball scholarship to the Division 1 University of California Riverside. He was a four-year starter averaging 10pts, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals per game. Not only was Kevin an exceptional athlete, he was also a great student earning his degree in Business Administration in 2004. Kevin continued his career professionally playing for The ABA’s San Francisco Pilots and was invited to participate in camp with the NBDL’s Austin Toro’s and Harlem Globetrotters. Kevin is very well known for his draw dropping leaping ability. He was a star on ESPN’s “City Slam” where he appeared for two consecutive years earning the nick-name “Bizness”. Kevin brings the “Bizness” off the court and into the boardroom. He currently serves as the President of Butler Masonry. In this position, he oversees the estimating, accounting and project management aspects of the Company. Butler Masonry focuses on commercial brick, block and stone-work. Their projects include hotels, municipalities, schools and government work. Kevin’s business skills have led Butler Masonry to be recognized as one of the largest minority owned Masonry companies in the state of Texas. When Kevin isn’t managing Butler Masonry, he is continuing his passion with basketball. He is one of the top trainers in the United States training AAU national champions, Division 1 colleges, overseas professionals and NBA players. You can also catch him as the lead spokesperson for Jumpsoles products.
Ryan Reist, Vice President of Youth Health and Wellness
Ryan Reist, RD, is credentialed by the American Dietetic Association as a Registered Dietitian and specializes in sports nutrition consulting for athletes and personalized weight management. He graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.S. in Nutrition and will complete his M.S. in Exercise Physiology & Sports Nutrition in 2011. His experience in sports nutrition includes consulting with Ironman athletes, marathoners, basketball and football players, as well as individual and team athletes. Other clientele include individuals focused on improving overall health and increasing energy levels. Ryan's ideology is based on scientific research to maximize performance through proper nutrition and keeping his athletes compliant within their sports with regards to banned substances & supplements. With a strong background in exercise physiology, Ryan does fitness training with individuals and groups. As an athlete, he participates in flag football, running, golf, and weight lifting, among various other activities. Ryan is currently a Clinical Dietitian at Baylor University Medical Center working in Solid Organ Transplant and is owner of R3 Sports Nutrition. www.R3sportsnutrition.com
Tracey Dreighton, Vice President of Student & Collegiate Affairs
Tracey Dreighton is a passionate professional interested in empowering all that she encounters. She is committed to utilizing her talent and her training in assisting others to realize their maximum potential, in their personal growth and their professional pursuits. She has helped individuals from all walks of life increase their marketability and expand their horizons. With more than 10 years of experience working with adults and in higher learning, she has developed strategies that will help stimulate change. Her love for and participation in athletics has taught her the value of teamwork, which she applies to her professional and personal life.
She has helped youth and young adults in local churches discover ways in which personal and spiritual convictions can be translated into academic success, inspiring them to become lifelong learners. She models this commitment to scholarship and intellectual curiosity by earning a Masters in Liberal Arts and a Masters of Science and Counseling at Southern Methodist University.
Felicia Flectcher, Director of Communications and Public Relations
Felicia received a Bachelors of Fine Arts in both Creative Writing and Creative Writing Education from Arkansas Tech University and a Masters of Fine Arts in Media Design from Full Sail University. She has been in the field of education for more than 10 years. She taught secondary English and Journalism in Arkansas before accepting a prestigious internship with the National Education Association in Washington, D.C. She has trained educators across the country in best practices and technology. She is an educator, activist, and published author. She excited to bring her passion for students and expertise in education to the Life After Whistles family.
Dawnyell Fletcher, Director of Programs
Dawnyell is a former track-and-field student-athlete from the University of Arkansas. While at the University, she received both All-American and SEC scholar athlete honors. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Dawnyell later went on to the University of Memphis, where she received a Master’s in Sport and Leisure Commerce. She has worked with student-athletes at both University of Memphis and North Carolina State University, providing tutoring, mentoring, and other academic support to at-risk students. Dawnyell has a true passion for student-athletes and their total development and looks forward to preparing students for their future success.
