Tag Archive for: IPZ

Curtin & Union Clinch MLS Playoffs…Omoruyi & Rutgers Basketball Outlook…Okert Ready for MLB Postseason…Dougherty-Howard Playoff Bound

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Jim Curtin and the Philadelphia Union Clinch Sixth Consecutive Audi MLS Cup Playoff Appearance + Curtin Featured in Fashion Editorial Hypebeast

Jim Curtin and the Philadelphia Union recently clinched their sixth consecutive trip to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs and further solidified their status as one of the best clubs in Major League Soccer. Runners up in the 2022 MLS Cup, Curtin and the Union are looking to bring home their first MLS Cup in 2023. 

Additionally, if you love sneakers, fashion, and streetwear, check out Jim’s recent feature in Hypebeast, a popular daily fashion editorial with tens of millions of followers. Jim discusses his love for the Air Jordan 1 shoe model and how he connects with his players through sneakers and fashion. 

Cliff Omoruyi’s Outlook on the Rutgers Men’s Basketball Season

Cliff Omoruyi, an All-Big Ten Team selection in 2022-23, and his Rutgers teammates kick off the 2023-2024 NCAA Basketball Season on November 6th, for an in-state battle with Ivy League Powerhouse Princeton. Omoruyi, who was recently featured in an nj.com article this past week, shared some insight into why Rutgers Basketball fans should be itching for November 6th to roll around.

“This team is going to be different,” Omoruyi explained and also added, “We’ve got a lot of guys who can attack one-on-one now, who can kick out for the three. We’ve got a lot of guys who can do that.”  

Catch Rutgers and Cliff, a recent addition to the National Collegiate Honor Society, all season long as they look to bring a Big Ten title back to New Jersey!  


Steven Okert and the Miami Marlins Clinch a Spot in the 2023 MLB Playoffs

For the fourth time in franchise history, Steven Okert and the Miami Marlins are headed to the MLB playoffs. The Marlins clinched a playoff spot with a 7-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates last Saturday and will now shift their focus to making a deep run into October. Okert appeared in 64 games out of the bullpen for Miami this season, posting a 4.45 ERA.  

Catch the Marlins this week as they take on last year’s NL Champion Philadelphia Phillies in a 3 game Wild Card series and try to deliver a championship to Miami! 

Meggie Dougherty-Howard and the San Diego Wave FC Clinch a Spot in the 2023 NWSL Post Season

Meggie Dougherty-Howard and San Diego Wave FC have clinched a spot in the 2023 NWSL post season. The NWSL playoffs are scheduled to kick-off on October 22nd. 

San Diego Wave FC will look to finish the season strong, with two regular season games remaining. They travel to North Carolina to face off against the North Carolina Courage on October 7th, before returning home to finish out the regular season against Racing Louisville FC on October 15th.  

Dougherty-Howard, a key contributor to the Waves’ success looks to bring San Diego Wave FC their first NWSL Championship in franchise history.  

Latin American Fashion Designers Show + Party This Sunday…Alexey Oleynik Earns First Professional Boxing Win…Meggie Dougherty Howard 1st in NWSL

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Latin American Fashion Designers Show + Party This Sunday

The Latin American Fashion Designers, which provides visibility for the top established and up-and-coming fashion designers from Latin America (and beyond) will stage its New York Fashion Week show this Sunday, with an “after-party” that evening at New York’s Limelight. 

The fashion show runs from noon – 6:30 p.m. at Canoe Studios, 201 West 26th Street in Manhattan. It will feature 13 Latin American designers and is expected to be attended by celebrities and sports stars. 

For tickets and more information, visit: https://www.fdla.co/access  

Alexey Oleynik Earns First Professional Boxing Win with KO

MMA sensation Alexey Oleynik (a.k.a. “The Boa Constrictor”) stepped into the ring for his first professional boxing match last Saturday night in Kazan, Russia. Hosted by the M-13 Company, the tournament was held in the entertainment complex “Pyramid” and was a dedication to International Boxing Day. The evening featured a total of 13 boxing matches, with Alexey’s fight being the featured event on the card.

Oleynik matched up against Russian Heavyweight fighter, Tagir Dzoblaev, taking him down by “KO” in Round One, moving him to a perfect 1-0 in his professional boxing career. Oleynik is the only fighter to win professional bouts in four different decades.  


Meggie Dougherty Howard and the San Diego WaveFC Take Over 1st Place




Meggie Dougherty Howard and San Diego Wave FC moved into first place in the NWSL standings with a 1-0 win over the Houston Dash this past weekend in front of 25,000 home fans at Snapdragon Stadium.  

Dougherty Howard, a key contributor to the Waves’ success with over 100 NWSL appearances, is enjoying her first season in San Diego as one of the team’s top playmakers. Meggie’s creativity, vision, and passing ability has led to San Diego being one of the highest scoring teams in the NWSL.

San Diego Wave FC will try to remain at the top of the table with just four games to play in the NWSL regular season as they host KC Current at home on Saturday, Sept. 16.



Cliff Omoruyi & Knight Society Raise $10k for Newark Salvation Army… Meggie Dougherty Howard PK Secures 1-0 Win… Brad Smith Ends Regular Season Hot as Whipsnakes Secure #1 Seed

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Cliff Omoruyi Partners With 16 Handles… Alex Touche Earns First TOTW

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Cliff Omoruyi Named One of NJ’s Most Influential Athletes…18 Birdies Highlights Sheenah Pegeron…Brad Smith Selected to PLL All-Star Game

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Ramiir Dixon-Conover Signs With IPZ…Paul Racks Up Awards…Alex & Omaha Set For Round of 16…Cento Amici Golf Outing

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Chris Silva Featured in Spurs and Feathers Magazine

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DREAMSCAPE: Chris Silva fulfills lifelong quest, enjoys NBA rookie season with Miami Heat

Some days Chris Silva stands on the balcony of his high-rise apartment in downtown Miami and peers right, over the rollerbladers below and past American Airlines Arena. He gazes over Bayside Marina, beyond the docked cruise ships and out onto the horizon.

Somewhere in the distance lies his past, in Gabon, Africa, where he was an unknown youth with untapped potential — on the basketball court and in life — and a dream.

Read more here.

Bob Zito in ROI-NJ on How COVID-19 is Impacting Sports and Entertainment

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At IPZ, diversity of clients — and sectors represented — always is on display

How Warren-based agency continues to represent athletes, entertainers from around the world during coronavirus crisis

 

The diversity of clients the agency represents is worth noting. And it’s not just having basketball, baseball and soccer stars along with mixed martial arts competitors. Or a Ukranian actress, bilingual Hispanic TV personality from Colombia and a voice-over specialist from Florida.

No, it’s the total mixture of sports and entertainment that makes Warren-based IPZ different, founder and Managing Partner Bob Zito said. And he said he wouldn’t have it any other way…

 

Read the full story here.

Andree Signs…Oleynik and Prudius Wait…FDNY Serves…and Clayton Joins – IPZ’s Latest Newsletter

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Pat Andree to be Represented by IPZ

Pat Andree, an All-ACC Academic Team selection at North Carolina State University and one the NCAA’s Elite 3-Point shooters, has signed with IPZ, Andree and IPZ announced today.

The six-foot-eight stretch 4 power forward comes from Colts Neck, N.J., and Christian Brothers Academy, one of New Jersey’s perennial high school powerhouse programs, where he became the school’s leading scorer, breaking the 40-year-old record set by Bob Roma.

From CBA, Andree went to Lehigh University, starting in multiple games as a freshman on a senior-laden team that went to the Patriot League championship game. During his freshman season with the Mountain Hawks, Andree broke onto the national scene with an ESPN Top Ten performance, scoring a career-high 30 points against Saint Francis (Pa.). In that game, Andree made 10 threes (on 12 attempts) to set a school record.

During his sophomore season, Andree started in 29 of 30 games, averaging 12.6 points and shooting 42.9 percent from three-point range (79-184), helping the Mountain Hawks to the Patriot League Semi-Finals. Andree tormented league opponents as a match-up nightmare, stretching the floor as the league’s top Frontcourt 3-Point shooter, shooting 48.7% (55-113) from behind the arc in league play. He was 4th overall in the league in 3-point shooting, and 23rd in the nation, reaching double figures in 21 games and adding 5.8 rebounds per game. He was named First team All-Academic Patriot League.

During his junior season at Lehigh, Andree led the team in rebounds, was named to the Academic All-Patriot League team for the second straight season and had double-figure points in 22 of 29 games. He averaged 12.9 points and 6.2 rebounds and shot better than 42 percent from behind the arc in his final two seasons with the Mountain Hawks.

He was named to the Patriot League Honor Roll each year as a student-athlete during his tenure at Lehigh, graduating in three-years, and earning a degree in Psychology in May 2019.

At NC State, as a graduate transfer, Andree was named to the All-ACC Academic team, despite suffering an ankle injury versus Clemson in the 16th game of the season. Until that point in the season, he was averaging 9.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 22 minutes per game, starting in four of those games. He had shot 48% (23 of 48) from behind the three-point line up to that point in the season and was ranked among the top 5 in the ACC.

In the opening game of the season against Georgia Tech, Andree started for the Wolfpack scoring 12 points and pulling down 8 rebounds in his ACC debut. Against Florida Int’l, with the Wolfpack down 12 points in the first half, he came off the bench to score 14 consecutive points in under three minutes, including a 4-for-4 stretch from 3-point land to spark North Carolina State a runaway victory. On the road against UNC Wilmington, Andree knocked down 5-of-7 three-point attempts to lift the Wolfpack to a one-point Quad 1 win while surpassing 1,000 career points in NCAA-Division 1 play.

After knocking down a crucial 3-point shot versus Syracuse on the road, Andree suffered an injury to his ankle and his play was limited during the remainder of the season.

“Pat is a terrific young man and he was a great addition to our program,” said North Carolina State head basketball coach Kevin Keatts. “He is an elite-level shooter who has an incredible knowledge of the game. He also has a strong work ethic and is a fantastic teammate. Pat’s presence will make any locker room better and I believe he has a long professional career in front of him.”

“Patrick is not just an outstanding athlete, he is an amazing young man who has a tremendous basketball IQ and will only excel in the future,” said IPZ Managing Partner Robert Zito. “He has fully recovered from the ankle injury that impacted his season at NC State, and will be an asset to a professional team moving forward.”

“I had a great experience at North Carolina State, following my three-years at Lehigh,” said Andree. “I was so excited to play in the ACC and NCAA Tournaments, but the COVID-19 pandemic robbed everyone of that dream this year. I was pleased to have garnered the interest of several agents as my desire to continue to play basketball as a professional is strong and I am seriously committed to further developing my game. I feel very fortunate to have joined the IPZ family and proud to have their team of professionals helping me.”

Alexey Oleynik Set To Take On Next Opponent In UFC 250…

Alexey Oleynik signs his fight contract with Sam Masucci, CEO of ETF Managers Group, his sponsor. Photo by Jim Salzano.

While he has continued to train for his May 9 fight against former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum, IPZ’s Alexey Oleynik is still awaiting confirmation about the site for what will be one of UFC’s biggest ever events.

“It has been frustrating, but I understand everyone’s safety is the most important concern,” Oleynik said. “Keeping my family safe and the safety of our UFC fans has to be the key.”

The star-studded card was announced this week.

“I welcome the fight against Werdum,” said Oleynik. “When the fight can eventually happen, we will put on a good show. And don’t bet against me.”

Known as the “Boa Constrictor,” Oleynik has a record of 58-13-1 and won his last fight, against Maurice Greene with a second round submission.

Oleg Prudius Puts “Miami Heat” on Hold Amidst COVID-19

Photo by Slav Gordeyev

Photo by Slav Gordeyev

Oleg Prudius was two weeks away from completing shooting on the new movie, Miami Heat, when the coronavirus shut down filming in Miami.

“It was unfortunate, but we all understand the need to save lives,” said Prudius.

Miami Heat stars Prudius as a dad who searches for his daughter after she is abducted by a ruthless sex trafficking ring.

“I have to kill the bad guys,” Oleg said with a laugh. “Easy for me to do.”

Supporting the FDNY and First Responders

Our IPZ family knows I serve as the vice-chair of the FDNY Foundation. These past five weeks have been especially hard on our first responders, including those in the FDNY, both firefighters and EMS personnel.

Thanks to Bill Schwartz, CEO and founding partner of Vector Media, and a fellow FDNY Foundation Board member, New Yorkers are being reminded that our first responders need our support now.

Thanks Bill. And thanks to the members of the FDNY who are working around the clock to help New York…and first responders around the country who are on the front lines in fighting this pandemic.

For more information or to contribute, please visit www.fdnyfoundation.org

Emily Clayton Joins IPZ as Client Sponsorships Manager

Emily Clayton has joined IPZ as Client Sponsorships Manager, effective April 1.

A 2018 graduate of The University of Alabama with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, and Specialization in Sport and Entertainment Management, Emily worked in the Corporate Partnerships department for the Miami Heat during Dwyane Wade’s final season. After the 2018-19 basketball season, she transitioned to the agency side of sports and entertainment management as an event coordinator at Octagon.

A North Carolina native and resident, Emily is a certified personal trainer, as well as a certified nutrition coach.

“I look forward to working with IPZ’s clients in their endeavors outside of their chosen sport or media,” Clayton said. “With new technological advances and social media platforms, I know each of our clients will find a niche tailored to their own interests. It’s my job to help them find those opportunities.”

“In her first few weeks, Emily has brought enthusiasm, out-of-the-box thinking and a disciplined approach to her role that we hope pays dividends for our clients,” said IPZ Managing Partner, Robert Zito. “Best of all, she doesn’t hesitate to pick up the phone call and call people – sometimes a missing talent with today’s young professionals.”

IPZ Board Member Bob Hurley Remembers Taking On Kobe Bryant

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Bob Hurley remembers when St. Anthony played against Kobe Bryant, Lower Merion

By Dan Canova

Bob Hurley remembers it like it was yesterday.

When St. Anthony traveled down to Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia during the 1995-96 high school basketball season to take on Lower Merion High School, Kobe Bryant was the No. 1 senior player in the entire country.

Prior to the game, a former scout from the Boston Celtics went over to Hurley and asked for his thoughts on the 17-year-old, who in just a few months would be drafted into the NBA and end up being one of the greatest players to walk the face of the Earth.

“I was just telling him how I thought he was a tremendous player,” Hurley recalled. “He was so versatile and poised… But I had no idea that he was going to be this great. I could only see that he would have been a really good player in college. But I couldn’t see at 17 years old, by the time he was 19 or 20, what was apparent to everybody.”

Hurley then went into the locker room to share with his team that NBA scouts were at the game to see Bryant play. St. Anthony was without its two best players at the time, Anthony Perry and Rashon Burno, due to missing school and practice the previous day. And since it was a day before the game, if you didn’t practice, you didn’t play.

Even without Burno and Perry, St. Anthony held a halftime lead and eventually pulled out a 15-point victory over Lower Merion, despite 28 points from Bryant. But it was after the game, what Hurley remembered most about Bryant.

“I thought the really nice thing was after the game ended, he asked me if the two of us could sit down and talk,” Hurley said. “And he just wanted me to go over the things that I saw with him, and the things that I thought he needed to get better at.

“When the second half started, we were up one point, and I didn’t think he had everybody ready for the second half of the game,” he added. “We jumped into a 10-point lead. I told him that he should have been all over his team in a dead-even game to win the first four minutes of the third quarter. He came out and played terrific, but he didn’t have the rest of them fired up. So, we got up 10 and maintained that the rest of the game. He thanked me and I told him to keep doing everything he’s doing.”

The previous year, Lower Merion actually made the trip up to Jersey City, and the Friars hosted Bryant as a junior at the No. 28 school in the Heights, which at the time was St. Anthony’s home court.

Hurley said it was unusual because when an out-of-state team would play St. Anthony, the Friars would normally go to them first, and then the following year the opposing team would say they have a scheduling conflict, and they couldn’t make the trip to Jersey City. But Lower Merion’s head coach Gregg Downer called up Hurley and said that they wanted to come up and play in Bryant’s junior year, only if they agreed to go down to Philadelphia for his senior season.

Hurley recalled that “a normal crowd was at the game, and nobody knew that a tremendous talent was in Jersey City that night.” Bryant ended up with 35 points and was phenomenal, according to Hurley.

“In my own household, my wife didn’t think Kobe was that good because we beat them twice in a row,” Hurley said. “And she felt that he should have been able to beat us on his own, which I thought was a little disrespectful to our team because we won the Tournament of Champions both in ’95 and ’96. We had two really good teams with eight or nine kids that ended up playing at the college level.”

When Hurley was at his Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2010, Bryant was there for the Los Angeles Lakers late great owner Jerry Buss, who was also inducted. Hurley recalls due to the madness of that night, he didn’t even know Bryant was there, but he would have loved to share a few minutes with him and just talk to him.

On Sunday afternoon, Hurley was just minutes into his drive leaving UConn’s Harry A. Gampel Pavilion after watching his son Danny coach the Huskies, and he received a call from Danny’s wife, Andrea, with the heartbreaking news that Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were among nine people who had died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.

“Things happen in life, but for three different families to be decimated with this, the effects that it’s going to have on the remaining family members, it’s just something we are going to remember for a long time,” Hurley said. “In its own way, when John Kennedy died in the plane crash, and the biggest one in my life the assassination of John F. Kennedy, this is up there with them. I’ll remember this the rest of my life. On the ride home from UConn, we turned on the radio because we had hours on the way back from the game. And as you piece together all of the information, it was just tragedy.”

View the story on NJ.com.