Sports, Leadership and Life Series Release

New England area leaders and influencers contribute their experiences on the role sports has played in their lives

For Immediate Release

Boston (March 26, 2009) –   WEEI.com has announced the launch of the Sports, Leadership and Life series, which gathers a collection of New England area leaders and influencers in business, academia, culture, politics and sports to share how sports has influenced their lives and careers. Eachweek, WEEI.com will release new stories from a stellar cast of contributors about how sports helped to shape their businesses and lives.

“The commitment of this group of leaders in business, culture and thinking has been striking,” Sports, Leadership and Life series editor Alex Speier said. “It is amazing to get a behind-the-curtain look into the lives of fascinating and influential New Englanders to see how sports have shaped their personalities. All the contributors have provided insightful, well-written and lively stories that reveal ways in their character traits were shaped by participating in and watching sports.”

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care President and CEO Charlie Baker and former Olympian and founder of 50 Eggs Inc. Mary Mazzio will be the first contributors to the Sports, Leadership and Life series when it launches on March 26. Other contributors will include Boston Celtics Co-Owner and Bain Capital Managing Director Steve Pagliuca, Life is Good Co-Founder John Jacobs, Legal Seafoods President/CEO Roger Berkowitz, SBLI CEO Bob Sheridan, triathlete Karen Smyers, former Boston Bruins player and current Vice President Cam Neely and former Red Sox pitcher and WEEI.com contributor Curt Schilling.

“Sports is just that.  Sports.  It isn't  brain surgery or rocket science, but I've learned a lot from it - as a player , as a fan and as a parent,” Charlie Baker explained. “I learned to appreciate the importance of teamwork and competition, to value doing something over and over again until I did it well, and to admire the discipline and persistence that excellence requires.  That's why sports - as just sports - is important to me.  I suspect others feel the same way.”

“Participation in sports has created a lifelong pathway for me to learn, grow and to see the amazing power of great teams,” said Steve Pagliuca. “I have been fortunate enough to be a part of great teams in business, philanthrophy, sports and even in the ‘business of sports.’ Being part of these teams has allowed me to help make an impact on the community and as well as the business world. When you step back, it is easy to see how the principles involved in achieving success in sports are extremely relevant to achieving success in the business world and in all the interactions we have as part of our daily lives.”

The Sports, Leadership and Life series on WEEI.com aims to help readers view sports in a different way, showing the lessons that can be learned from competition and applied to everyday life. Through the eyes of this group of leaders, WEEI.com looks to showcase the many ways sports play a part in everyone’s lives.

“It is interesting to see how the career paths and thinking of this array of leaders in diverse professions were shaped by sports. Within the experiences of our writers, there are profound lessons for others,” Speier continued. “Sports can be instrumental in directing our lives and careers. This series is meant to celebrate that aspect of the games we watch and play.”

As a part of the Sports, Leadership and Life series, WEEI.com will also offer a scholarship for students. Final details will be announced by WEEI.com/leadership over the summer. For more information on the Sports, Leadership and Life series, CLICK HERE.

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