Mission Statement
Athlete Connections Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that is designed to utilize sports to teach youth about life skills. We do this through proven programs focused on character development and life skills education. This platform is designed to empower student athletes to reach their highest academic and athletic potential, inspiring personal excellence.
The skills that are taught are designed to correlate with all life experiences and encounters. Athlete Connections Foundation has developed youth programs for basketball, volleyball, soccer, football, baseball and continues to expand.
Founder Bio
Dan Cross is a former All American basketball player who attended the University of Florida, and earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications. As a member of the first team ever to advance to the Final Four in school history, Dan was inducted into the University of Florida’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006. In 2007, Dan was awarded the Regions Bank Business salute which honors former student athletes from the Southeastern Conference who go on to run successful businesses. In 2008 he received the SEC Basketball Legends award and was honored as Orlando Business Journals top 40 under 40 businessmen. Dan is currently founder/CEO of Athlete Connections. In addition, he has done color commentary for University of Florida Basketball and directs youth fundamental sports programs in the summer.
His Fundamental Basketball camps (Dan Cross All Fundamentals) are community-based youth sports programs established to design and empower youth through sports. The purpose and vision is to help educate and instruct youth on the fundamentals of basketball and life.
Dan played professionally in the U.S. minor leagues including the CBA, ABA, and USBL after unsuccessful try outs in the NBA. He also played in countries such as Greece, Italy, Turkey, Finland, Cyprus, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Israel and many others.
In 2006 Dan Cross founded Athlete Connections, an organization that is designed to enhance youth sports by providing programs that teach life skills in preparation for life after supports. Our vision is a proven program focused on character development and life skills education. Dan is also contracted through the City of Orlando Family Parks and Recreation to assist in developing youth sports programs.