OTA Franchise Spotlight (Chicago, IL)

Overtime Athletics Franchise Spotlight is featuring our Chigaco, IL owner, Matt Auker. Matt is a DC-area native that was first exposed to Overtime Athletics in high school, when he played basketball for OTA co-founder Chris Whelan at Herndon High, their shared alma mater. In addition to playing just about every sport he could, he attended sports camps throughout his childhood and spent 8 summers as a camp counselor. While attending Boston College, he worked as supervisor for the intramural sports program and later coached youth basketball teams in his hometown of Reston, VA.

After graduating college and spending three years in the corporate world, Matt needed a change. Having long been an admirer of OTA, the opportunity to own a franchise of his own was compelling enough to quit his job and move half-way across the country to the great city of Chicago. In a few short weeks, he has placed after school programs in several schools and seen immediate interest in the exceptional programs OTA has to offer.

Working in youth athletics is a dream come true for Matt and he is excited to be the newest member of the OTA family.

Choosing a Summer Camp

Your child is off from school for three months and when thinking about summer activities, you have a TON of options to choose from, such as summer camps, summer school, vacations, or simply relaxing. Summer camps are a popular option because there are so many types to pick from.

Sports camps are a good choice for children, because they will keep your child physically active, and teach them great skills about teamwork, winning and losing, and how to listen to a coach.

If you decide to send your child to a summer sports camp, you will have to choose which type is right for you. When choosing a sports camp you will have to factor in your child’s age, interests and skill level, in addition to your budget and availability. There are five main types of sports camps that Overtime Athletics offer to families:

• Traditional Day Multi-sport camp: This type of camp has a focus on learning basics about many different sports, and focuses mainly on having fun. There are usually no competitive games in this type of summer camp.

• Specialty Skill camp: A skill camp will allow children (usually older) to focus on specific aspects of a sport, such as pitching, kicking a goal, perfecting their swing or throwing a football.

• Training Camps: A sports camp focusing on types of sport, like soccer or golf. Drills and games are used to learn and strengthen skills and prepare for competition.

• Celebrity/Professional Team camps: Summer camps that are endorsed by local athletes or celebrities are often expensive, but campers learn valuable skills and often go back year after year.

Why Overtime Athletics?

We started Overtime Athletics in 2003 with the mission to give kids HIGH FIVES. 14 years later, we are making that happen with 25,000 kids per year.

When buying a franchise, there are many variables to consider. You want to get involved at a place that you can succeed financially but also believe in the product and/or service.

Here is why we think OTA stands out:

1. Purpose Driven Work

Our game-plan is designed to motivate young people to embrace a healthy lifestyle at an early age while learning the rewards of teamwork and the fundamentals of the game. Overtime Athletics attention to details and enthusiasm for combining athletic games, contests, and instruction creates a positive environment for young participants to succeed.

2. Flexibility

While owning your own business is not easy - it does allow you to make your own schedule. Working from home allows you to work during your most productive times, wear what you're most comfortable wearing and create a workflow that works for you. It also allows you find that balance between work and personal life. Working from home can make this balance a little bit easier to find and maintain.

3. Technology Friendly Lifestyle

The integration of technology into the daily operation happens every day with Overtime Athletics. We are continually adding innovating tools and technologies to increase the effectiveness of the business while embracing customer needs and expectations.

4. Community

When you buy an Overtime Athletics Franchise, you are also buying into a family. Not only will you work directly with the owners (Chris Whelan & Chris Horich), you will be working and learning from our current franchisees.