OUR MISSION
1.
2.
Use athletics as a means of crime prevention and reduction of criminal recidivism.
It has been determined that the aforementioned mission can best be achieved by assisting/advocating for professional combat athletes (boxers, MMA fighters, etc.) and those who aspire to careers as professional combat athletes, including (but not limited to) combat athletes who are incarcerated, formerly incarcerated, have current legal issues or previous criminal history, and/or are legally at-risk.
Use athletics to support and promote social justice for disadvantaged and oppressed communities, through fundraising and other initiatives.
These efforts will be conducted through the social justice arm of C.A.A.N., Inc.,the Ripple of Hope Project.
Ernest DiStefano is a former sports agent and Certified Sports Counselor with the International Sports Professionals Association (ISPA). He has also worked as an Associate Baseball Scout with the Kansas City Royals, Philadelphia Phillies, and the Global Scouting Bureau (GSB). Mr. DiStefano also worked as a manager and mental training coach for boxers and MMA fighters for four years, from 2014-2017. He authored the book, “The Happy Athlete (A Success Guide for Parents, Coaches, and Student-Athletes)”, which was published by Langmarc Publishing in May 2006. He has also had numerous essays published on the topic of social justice issues in sports. In addition to his professional experience in the sports world, Mr. DiStefano also has over 42 years
of professional experience working with criminal offenders.
He holds three college degrees, including Bachelor’s and Master's degrees in Human Resources Management. He also served as an Adjunct Professor of Sports Management at Wilmington University in Delaware for twelve years. Mr. DiStefano also served on Wilmington University’s Faculty Advisory Board for their Sports Management program. Mr. DiStefano recently earned his certification as a Human Rights Consultant through the United State Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights (USIDHR).
OUR BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
ADVISORY BOARD
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Curt Shockley
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Spencer Dunkley
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Dwayne Saunders
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Andre Buck
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Kamarah Pasley
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Dave Tiberi
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Daniel Masi
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Tonia Priestley
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Steve Wesley
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Dwayne Saunders
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Jacquie Richardson
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Bill Fletcher
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Peter Olney
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Tony Tolbert
ATHLETIC FUNDRAISING COORDINATOR
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Chuck Metzger
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Zeb Stokes, Board Chair
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Frederick L. Barnes, III: Director At-Large
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Roy Foreman: Director At-Large
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Dade D. Werb, Esq.: Director At-Large
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David Barnes: Director At-Large
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Tonya Lanier: Director At-Large
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Michele Huntley: Director At-Large
