AUGUSTA, Maine - On Dec. 12, Greg Glynn and Kelsey Glynn announced the official release of their children's book "The Magic Cleats." The children's book is written and illustrated by Glynn and his daughter to share the true story of college softball players, Hannah Dukeman and Emma Eubank, the first college athletes in the country to use their name, image and likeness (NIL), to design cleats and raise funds for childhood cancer research.
The book was published by BookBaby and is available online now at Store.bookbaby.com. and also is available for pre-order through online retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble and more. The book is also currently available in-store from Oliver Friends Bookshop in Waterville, Maine through Dec. 25. The book is also available online. The retail cost of the hardcover book is $24.99 and portions of the proceeds will benefit cancer research and #MissionE50, an initiative to increase the popularity of women's sports.
"Many marketing experts are rushing to write books about how college athletes can make money using their name, image and likeness, ways athletes can increase their followers on social media, or advice for athlete marketing and personal branding. As NIL legislation and rules for athletes continue to evolve, there are so many things that can change in the next few years. My daughter and I wanted to write a book that would last forever. In writing the book, we want to inspire the next generation of young athletes about how they can give back to their communities and showcase the causes that are most important to them. This is exactly what Hannah and Emma did during their college softball career, and I am so proud of them for everything they have done and will continue to do. Their story has no end," said Greg Glynn, co-author of "The Magic Cleats."
"The Magic Cleats" tells the inspirational true story of Hannah Dukeman and Emma Eubank from Ball State University, the first college athletes in the country to use their name, image and likeness to design #CURECANCER cleats to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer research. Through their efforts, so far they have raised more than $4,500.
In reading the book, children will learn core values from Hannah and Emma that helped them become successful college student athletes, and support families who have been impacted by cancer. While the story is intended to be read to young children (12 and under), the book includes an additional "bonus" section to inspire older children, teens and adults. The section shares short stories with QR codes about several other Pliable athletes who have raised awareness and funds for different causes and organizations. In total, the athletes featured in the book have raised more than $20,000.
Ultimately, the magic of the cleats is the impact that Hannah and Emma's story will have on others. As readers will learn, this is a story that has no end. With every purchase of this book, readers get to be part of Hannah and Emma's efforts. Portions of the proceeds will benefit cancer research and support #MissionE50, an initiative to increase the popularity of women's sports.
Both Hannah Dukeman and Emma Eubank worked closely with Greg Glynn, founder and CEO of Pliable, who is also their NIL marketing agent to secure NIL partnerships and build their athlete brand. Pliable is a marketing company and NIL agency that represents more than 35 high school, college and professional athletes.
In June of 2021, a unanimous decision by the Supreme Court upheld the lower court’s decision that NCAA restrictions on “education-related benefits” for college athletes violated antitrust law. As a result, college athletes now have the opportunity to benefit from their name, image and likeness (NIL), a topic that continues to change the landscape of college sports. In April of 2025, if the House v. NCAA settlement receives final approval, Division I colleges and universities will have the opportunity to share revenue with athletes. By Fall of 2025, schools could start paying a total of more than $20 million to athletes at their institutions.
"When Greg came in a told me about "The Magic Cleats" that he and Kelsey wrote, I jumped at the chance to help them share their book. In addition to Hannah and Emma's incredible story, the book also has local short stories of Maine athletes from the area who have worked with Pliable Marketing and are giving back to nonprofits and organizations in Maine and across the country. Greg also wanted to support a local independent bookstore by making the books immediately available at our Waterville location so people can buy the book as a holiday gift for a child in their life. Oliver & Friends Bookshop is proud to have this opportunity and support the authors and the athletes featured in the book," said Renee Cunningham, owner of Oliver and Friends Bookshop.
Glynn, 43, is the founder & CEO of Pliable, a marketing, public relations and broadcasting company and NIL agency in Augusta, Maine. As a registered sports agent, Greg specializes in athlete branding, including creating name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities for high school, college and professional athletes, many of whom are also featured in the book. He has more than 20 years of marketing, public relations and broadcasting experience, including his role as host of The Athlete Brand Advisor Podcast. The company represents more than 35 athletes across the country. Learn more at PliableMarketing.com.
Kelsey Glynn, 12, is a Pliable athlete, just like Hannah and Emma. She was heavily involved in the writing and illustration of the book to inspire the next generation of young girls to be positive role models in their community. Kelsey is well-known for her efforts to raise awareness and funds for the Maine Children's Home in Waterville, Maine. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she was one of the youngest athletes to raise funds and complete the 180-mile Trek Across Maine which benefits the American Lung Association.
If you are like most Americans who received their insurance renewal quotes, you are probably experiencing a bit of sticker shock.
If you are a family paying over $2000/month for coverage, or an individual paying over $700, and any of what you read below resonates with you, we should talk about your options.
ARTWALK GARDINER
Join us this Friday, December 6th in downtown Gardiner for the Artwalk.
It will be a cold evening but we will all have warm smiles :)
Many downtown business will be open late and serving appetizers as well.
The Alan Claude Gallery will be serving Italian Meatballs, Wine and Art!
Join us for an evening filled with creativity, community, and a special moment to pause and enjoy the tree lighting. Let’s celebrate art together!
Join us as our guest for Virtual Demo meetings on November 12th and December 10th from 12:00 - 1:00 PM.
Reserve your spot today at or call Bill Crosby at 617-974-6437>
Check out the benefits of Toastmasters membership at: https://www.toastmasters.org/membership/why-toastmasters
See a brief video of a typical meeting experience at: https://www.toastmasters.org/membership/club-experience
Join us as our guest for our upcoming Demo meetings on November 12th and December 10th from 12:00 - 1:00 PM.
RSVP via email at
"Membership is open to any faithful persons who are interested in sharing and saving on their healthcare. "Our members are individuals and small business owners who have found a better healthcare solution for their families and organizations. They are joining the Impact community - and staying - because it is comprehensive, accessible, secure, and inclusive."
Sign up here: https://kennebeccreepsandcrawls.com/
Brought to you by the Maine Winery Guild
The Case of the Missing Pet is a 45 minute room available in two difficulty levels - very easy (ages 6-9) and easy (ages 10+).
This fun room for beginners comes with some feel-good philanthropy: 10% of all ticket sales will be donated
to the Kennebec Valley Humane Society.
Visit www.EscapeAugusta.com to book today!
ESCAPE AUGUSTA: Where you can't escape the fun!
Curious how much your antique vase is worth? Think your family heirloom is priceless? Bring your treasured items to the Community Meeting Room for valuation by expert appraisers from the Thomaston Place Auction Galleries on Thursday, May 2nd from 1:00 – 4:00pm. A donation to the Friends of Lithgow Library is required for each appraisal. We ask that you bring no more than 5 items, and no glass or china unless it is Tiffany.
Lithgow Library is located at 45 Winthrop Street, Augusta, ME 04330
On Sunday, April 28th, 2024 at FirstPark in Oakland at 9:00 am, people will be running or walking in solidarity against the harsh reality of the impact of sexual violence in our Maine communities. Inspired by the current Maine statistic of an estimated ONE in FIVE people in Maine have been affected by sexual violence (Muskie School of Public Policy, Maine Crime Victimizations Rates, 2011), the Sexual Assault Crisis & Support Center is hosting the 13th annual One in Five 5k race. You can choose to sign up for the virtual race which we have extended to May 12th, or you can join us at FirstPark on April 28th. This event is taking place in the month of April to honor Sexual Assault Awareness Month!
Registration is open now: https://runsignup.com/Race/Info/ME/Oakland/OneinFive5K
Well trying something new & different –
EQUINE ASSISTED CORPORATE TEAM BUILDING RETREATS
Our program offers a unique and non-traditional opportunity for organizations to build a stronger team in an outdoor natural setting through our customized Equine Assisted Programs. Our programs will help develop leaders and improve communication, collaboration and cooperations between all staff members.
What’s not traditional – is team building with horses. Each session becomes an experiential learning with opportunities to teach grounding skills, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, improve confidence, and improve communications skills.
Our horses will do most of the teaching in the specific activities we have designed to develop problem-solving skills while encouraging participants to work as teams to achieve positive results.
Horses are 100% honest, 100% of them time. No matter who you are, the horse will be an authentic team member who will let you know if things are working – or not. And most often they will give you plenty of chances to get it right.
Without judgement they teach us to be present, honest, clear and committed. Like people, horses come with a wide range of personalities, moods, and unique quirks. They react differently to each person and each situation.
The horse’s herd mentality offers powerful leadership lessons. A horse will respect a herd leader who demonstrates awareness, fairness, consistency, and respect when guiding towards a goal. Horses will challenge a leader who is vague, confusing or lacking commitment to the good of the group. As a tool of survival – horses are highly sensitive to nonverbal stimuli, they are experts at reading the most subtle behaviors such as body language, posture, expressions, determination, and emotional charge of people. They seem to sense personal level of trust, confidence, awareness and interpersonal skill providing us with valuable, visible, and uncensored feedback immediately. With all of this information we learn if, when, or how we need to do something differently to meet their particular needs at that moment.
Our skilled facilitators know how to define the teachable moments in this unique style of the horse/human interaction that makes for an effective approach to building team leaders’ strong team dynamics.
In a very real sense, the horses do most of the teaching – event facilitators are there to provide explanations and guidance through each experience.
Horses have a great deal to t ach us, largely because they have so much in common with humans. They are also surprisingly good at revealing the hidden dynamics within any team. These sensitive creatures can actually hear our heartbeat and will react to even the slightest changes within a group.
For many this experience proves to be absolutely life-changing. It builds trust and communication in a fun, engaging and full collaborative atmosphere. Because these events make such a lasting impression, participants tend to retain the lessons far longer than in a typical classroom experience.
Programs are offered with certified professionals in both the equine industry and in corporate team building sessions. Each session is limited to 10 participants. No horse experience is necessary. All work is unmounted (no riding required).
Contact us for more information and to for customized programs and packages.