Who Is The Million Shot Man?
"Leadership is the challenge to be something more than average." - Jim Rohn
By most accounts, Devon Brown would be considered your "Average Joe." But to those that that are close with Brown, they know there isn't anything "average" about him. Currently the Program Director at the Decatur County Family YMCA in Greensburg, Indiana and the Director of HoopStar Basketball, Brown has cultivated his passion for basketball by serving others. Along with his wife, Allison, the Browns look forward to making a daily impact on the countless other people in their lives.
What is the Million Shot Challenge?
"Ideas can be life-changing for those who dare to take on the unknown." - Unknown
In its purest form, it is an athletic challenge to shoot 1 MILLION basketball shots in a calendar year. A daily pace of 2,740 shots per day must be achieved to accomplish such a feat. At a rate of 1,000 shots per 75 minutes, that is over 1250 minutes over a year or 24 hours of dedicated shooting each week.
Where did it come from?
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"An idea not coupled with action will never get any bigger than the brain cell it occupied." - Arnold Glasgow
The Million Shot Challenge is a combination of ideas all blended in an extraordinary package. Brown wanted to develop an idea that include a physical and mental challenge that was not only borderline impossible, but would be just as hard to duplicate. After reading a story about how NBA Superstar, Gilbert Arenas, issued a 100,000 shots in 73 days challenge, the idea wheels started turning. Then after seeing "Agent Zero" having to shut down his challenge after injury concerns, the intrigue grew. The final piece of the puzzle came when Brown read about internet sensation, Alex Tew, and the website milliondollarhomepage.com. Alex raised over $1million with his unique idea.
When the ideas were combined, the Million Shot Challenge was born. 1,000,000 shots in a calendar year (January 1 to December 31). The shots would be recorded, charted, and video taped for the whole world to witness the power of innovation.
Why the Million Shot Challenge?
"No man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
The Browns believe in the power of serving others. Devon works fulltime for the YMCA movement and devotes countless hours making an impact in others' lives by teaching drug prevention classes at schools, organizing and operating athletic opportunities for youth and adults, as well as many other various programs for the community. Allison is currently pursuing education to enter the nursing field so that she can help heal the sick and wounded.
The money raised from the Million Shot Challenge will help the Browns continue their path of stewardship. The Challenge will include both personal and community opportunities. Personal goals of paying for secondary education, buying a home that will suit a growing family, and giving the gift of restored vision are just a few of the goals that will be coupled with community goals such as setting up a scholarship fund, helping a nonprofit expand their reach with new facilities, and supporting the church in a harsh economic time. While the Million Shot Challenge is not a not-for-profit initiative, it will help improve and impact many lives. Follow the Million Shot Challenge as it helps to improve both the lives of the Brown family and their community.
Has anybody else done this?
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Not even an NBA Superstar such as LeBron James would shoot that many shots in a year. Even though pro players spend countless hours in the gym, their training is divided up into shooting, defense, game scenarios, weightlifting, and other various forms of training to keep their skills sharp (After all LeBron wouldn't be King James if he could only shoot a set shot). A few college and professional players have utilized shooting routines that are 1,000 shots per day, but even then those are limited to the offseason. Brown is attempting to shoot all these shots while maintaining his fulltime job at the YMCA.
How does it work?
Brown will chart his daily progress in blog and database using both human eyewitnesses, video tape, and date and timestamps. Supporters will be permitted to follow Brown on this epic adventure in the Blog section of MillionShotChallenge.com. Mainstream media (newspaper, television, radio, etc.) will be updated under the Newsroom page. Shooting statistics and workout breakdowns will be posted under the Statroom page. A comprehensive sponsor and shot list will be posted under The List page.
If you want to get all the latest news and updates, you can subscribe to an email list or use the feedburner application.
How can I help or get involved?
The easiest way to get involved is to sponsor any number of shots during this historic quest. $1 donated equal 1 shot sponsored. Individuals may donate as little as $1 (while companies and other individuals may be able to sponsor more. This is a grassroots campaign so please get the word out.
Make sure you subscribe to our Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, Email List, Feedburner, Youtube Channel, and Viddler Channel. Also help support our sponsors by visiting their links (many include special discounts for Million Shot Challenge supporters). Don't forget to post about the Challenge in your blog, social networks, and emails!
