Connected Athletics - About Our Leadership Team

ABOUTOUR TEAM

Meet the leadership team behind Connected Athletics - former athletes, coaches, and industry experts dedicated to helping student-athletes succeed.

OUR TEAM IN ACTION

Connected Athletics Team - Professional Development

Expert Leadership

Former NFL players, collegiate coaches, and tech executives collaborating to build athlete success platforms

Connected Athletics Team - Strategic Planning

Proven Experience

Combining decades of athletics, technology, and business expertise to transform student-athlete outcomes

Our leadership team brings in decades of experience across professional athletics, collegiate coaching, technology innovation, and business development. From former NFL players and collegiate coaches to tech executives and academic administrators, we bring real-world expertise in every aspect of student-athlete development and career transition.

LEADERSHIP TEAM

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Anthony Williams

Co-Founder, CEO

Anthony has a long history and strong connection with athletics – he played football at both San Jose City College and San Francisco St. University. He also went back and coached at both of his alma mater's before coaching his children in youth football, baseball, and softball. He earned his MBA at University of Phoenix and later founded two companies – Texas Football Showcase and ALW Consulting.

He is now using his 25+ years of high-tech software experience, plus his knowledge of sales, marketing, and business development to create a platform that gives athletes a place to start building a personal brand that has the capacity to have success once their sports career comes to an end.

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Chris Vaughn

Co-Founder, Content Advisor

Chris Vaughn spent his collegiate career playing football at Murray State in Kentucky. Post-grad, Chris continued on the path of an athlete, coaching several collegiate teams, including Texas, Memphis, Ole Miss, Arkansas, and Tulsa. He is currently also a scout for the Dallas Cowboys.

As someone who has spent the majority of their life in the athletics space, Chris has a passion for helping student-athletes succeed, and a deep understanding on how to do it.

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Eric Townsend

CFO

Eric is a former North Carolina State track and field student-athlete. Post-grad, he went on to IBM, where he spent 35+ gaining experience in manufacturing, supply chain management, product development, and international business.

He currently serves as the Chief Finance Officer of ConnectED, helping make the platform one that student-athletes can use to their greatest advantage and build their futures.

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Brad Smith

Strategic Partnerships, Co-Founder

Brad Smith's collegiate career in football was spent at the University of Missouri, where he was the 2002 Big 12 Freshman Player of the Year. Post-grad, Brad was the 104th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He then spent nine years in the NFL, playing for the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, and Philadelphia Eagles.

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Brian Davis

Strategic Advisor

Brian is an experienced administrator and manager, with over 34 years leading comprehensive athletic academic programs. He has managed a diverse staff of professionals in assessing the needs of individual student-athletes, and providing thorough advising and counseling support for successful navigation of the college experience.

Working closely with all facets of a university, including all areas of student services administration – admissions, financial aid, and advising – as well as academic administrators and faculty gives him a unique view of athletics at all levels.

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Gregory Harris

VP of Product Development

Gregory Harris is a distinguished Senior Business and Information Technology strategist with a remarkable journey from professional athlete to tech executive. After playing football with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and earning All-American honors at Jackson State University, he transitioned into a successful technology career, serving as a CEO and VP of Product Development.

His extensive expertise spans Artificial Intelligence, Business Process Alignment, Program and Project Management, and Business Operations, with his athletic background contributing to his leadership skills of discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. Drawing from his comprehensive executive experience and technical acumen, Gregory brings innovative strategies and strategic vision to his professional endeavors, particularly in the technology and firearms industries.

OUR MISSION

Connected Athletics was founded by athletes, for athletes. We understand the challenges student-athletes face because we've lived them. Our mission is to provide comprehensive development programs that prepare athletes for success both on and off the field.

Athlete-First

Every decision we make is guided by what's best for student-athletes and their families.

Proven Results

Our comprehensive approach has helped 500+ athletes earn college scholarships.

Comprehensive

We address academics, performance, and branding to maximize recruiting potential.

READY TO GET STARTED?

Join hundreds of athletes who've earned scholarships with our proven system. Our leadership team is here to guide your complete athletic development.

GET STARTED TODAY
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Elevating student-athletes through comprehensive development programs.

Support

Connected Athletics provides academic planning, NCAA eligibility guidance, performance analytics, and athlete brand development. Our team of former professional players and college coaches helps high school athletes showcase their skills, build visibility, and earn college scholarships. Whether you need transcript evaluation, game film breakdowns, or social media strategy, we deliver proven recruiting results for student-athletes nationwide.

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