WHAT: GradeCheck National Kick-Off Celebration SPEAKERS: Former NCAA Athlete Kevin Ross, Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, School Board Member Tyrone Winfrey, TechTown Interim Executive Director Randal Charlton PLACE: Wayne State University’s TechTown, 440 Burroughs Street (bet. Cass and Second Avenues), Detroit DATE: Thursday, November 1, 2007 TIME: 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. CONTACT: 313.879.5255 or mailto:info@gradecheck.net

Entrepreneur empowers high school athletes to score NCAA eligibility, scholarships 

One out of every three high school seniors who apply to play a sport at an NCAA university is rejected for ineligibility. Detroit entrepreneur Shelia McBride has pioneered a system to empower student-athletes of every economic background to meet NCAA eligibility rules for playing college sports and winning scholarships. McBride’s company, GradeCheck, celebrates the national launch of its affordable, online eligibility tool at Wayne State University’s research and technology park TechTown on Nov. 1.

With no guidance from school personnel, McBride conquered the confusing, complicated process of obtaining NCAA eligibility for her son Kevin Shorter. He enrolled at Ohio University on a full basketball scholarship in 2000. Ironically, the qualifying process was created because of his father, Kevin Ross.

Ross caused the NCAA’s biggest scandal 25 years ago when, after four years on a basketball scholarship, he left Creighton University illiterate. He then enrolled at the renowned Westside Preparatory School in Chicago where he learned to read.

At GradeCheck’s national kick-off, Ross will address parents, students, coaches, administrators, city council members and school board members. Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick will also be featured speaker. This event is free and open to the public.

GradeCheck has been endorsed by Detroit Piston Chauncey Billups, NBA Hall of Famer Dave Bing, former University of Michigan Head Basketball Coach H. Tommy Amaker and head coaches of other NCAA schools nationwide.