Skip to main content

Bridgestone Americas Press Center

June 29, 2021 Nashville, Tenn.

Bridgestone Retail Operations, Tight End University Host Event for Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee

Check presentation
  • Bridgestone partnered with NFL stars Travis Kelce, George Kittle and Greg Olsen and to host an interactive event for area Boys & Girls Club youth.
  • The event was part of the three-day “Tight End University” (TEU) that brought together 50 NFL tight ends to learn and network with one another.
  • Bridgestone Retail Operations and TEU announced a $50,000 donation to Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee to help accelerate teen outreach efforts.

Bridgestone Retail Operations (BSRO), a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone), recently partnered with Tight End University (TEU) to host a special training event for youth from Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee at Lipscomb Academy.

Thirty area Club youth were given the opportunity to learn from league players and Bridgestone leaders through technique drills, a flag football game, and a “locker room talk” that discussed the importance of academics, serving the community and achieving goals.

At the end of the event, leaders from BSRO and TEU announced a combined $50,000 donation to Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee to help accelerate efforts to engage and support teens in Nashville and surrounding communities.

“We were grateful to join forces with an incredible roster of players right here in our hometown to give area Boys & Girls Club youth an unforgettable experience,” said Marko Ibrahim, president, Bridgestone Retail Operations. “A special thanks to the generosity of our BSRO customers and teammates who continue to support our Boys & Girls Club partnership at our 2,200 stores nationwide. I have no doubt that this donation will create new opportunities for Nashville-area teens, and that its impact will be felt long after today.”  

The event and donation announcement took place at Lipscomb University on June 25, the last day of the three-day TEU summit. Recently launched by NFL stars Travis Kelce, George Kittle and Greg Olsen, TEU is meant to provide opportunities for league tight ends to work, train and learn from fellow players.

As the Official Tire of the NFL® with its headquarters in Nashville, Bridgestone was proud to partner with the players to support TEU and extend its impact into the local community through BSRO’s support of Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA).

"It was critical to George, Greg, and Travis that TEU made a lasting impact in the local Nashville community,” said Peter Raskin, Rubicon Talent. “When Bridgestone mentioned their long-standing relationship with BGCA, we jumped at the opportunity to support them. Seeing the kids interact with the players was a highlight of the event and something the players truly enjoyed. We look forward to coming back next year!”

The $50,000 donation from TEU and BSRO will support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee in their efforts to accelerate their outreach and support for local teens.

“Providing our youth with safe spaces, access to positive adult role models, and experiences such as this one is part of the Boys & Girls Clubs’ formula for positive youth outcomes,” said Eric Higgs, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee. “Big thanks to BSRO and TEU for making this possible for our youth – it’s an experience they’ll never forget!” 

We were grateful to join forces with an incredible roster of players right here in our hometown to give area Boys & Girls Club youth an unforgettable experience.
Marko Ibrahim Headshot
Marko Ibrahim President, Bridgestone Retail Operations Click to Tweet

About Bridgestone Americas, Inc.:

Nashville, Tennessee-based Bridgestone Americas, Inc. is a subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, a global leader providing sustainable mobility and advanced solutions. Bridgestone Americas develops, manufactures and markets a diverse portfolio of original equipment and replacement tires, tire-centric solutions, mobility solutions, and other rubber-associated and diversified products that deliver social value and customer value. Guided by its global corporate social responsibility commitment, Our Way to Serve, Bridgestone is dedicated to shaping a sustainable future of mobility and improving the way people move, live, work and play.

About Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC:

Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC (BSRO) is headquartered in Nashville, Tenn. and operates the largest network of company-owned automotive service providers in the world — more than 2,200 tire and vehicle service centers across the United States — including Firestone Complete Auto Care, Tires Plus, Hibdon Tires Plus and Wheel Works store locations. Credit First National Association and Firestone Complete Fleet Care operations are also part of BSRO. BSRO is a member of the Bridgestone Americas family of companies.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America:

For 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has provided a safe place for kids and teens to learn and grow. Clubs offer caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Boys & Girls Clubs programming promotes academic success, good character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles. More than 4,700 Clubs serve over 4.6 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America on Facebook and Twitter.

If you're a journalist with questions about this story or other company news, please contact us.

Related Articles