COLLEGE PARK, Ga. — The College Park Skyhawks are proving once again that their impact in the community goes far beyond what happens on the basketball court.
The Skyhawks, NBA G League affiliate of the Atlanta Hawks, teamed up with Goodwill of North Georgia to support West Clayton Elementary School’s Curriculum Night for the second consecutive year.
The evening brought students, parents, educators and community partners together while highlighting the school’s mission of serving as a resource not only for students academically, but for their families as well.
For the Skyhawks, the event was another chapter in a relationship with West Clayton that continues to grow through the organization’s “Colli’s Classroom” school adoption program.
“Colli’s Classroom gives us an excellent opportunity to build meaningful relationships with the students, families and staff at West Clayton Elementary throughout the school year,” said Janice Koon, Senior Vice President of G League Operations for the Atlanta Hawks. “We’re grateful to continue our partnership with Goodwill of North Georgia to bring valuable career resources directly to the families in our community and we look forward to continuing to make a positive impact at West Clayton this school year.”
And this partnership isn’t just about showing up for one night.
Goodwill of North Georgia brought its Mobile Career Center to Curriculum Night, giving parents and other members of the community access to resources designed to help them take the next step professionally. The mobile center featured computer workstations, job-readiness assistance, information about employment opportunities and hiring events, connections with local employers and access to Goodwill career coaches.
While the parents had resources available to help build their futures, the Skyhawks continued investing in the next generation.
Now entering its fourth year, Colli’s Classroom is expected to reach West Clayton Elementary’s 490 students and 80 staff members throughout the 2026-27 school year.
The Skyhawks plan to host at least two events each month at the school, ranging from P.E. takeovers and reading days to career expos, mentorship opportunities, holiday events and other educational and community-focused programs.
That consistency is what makes the partnership more than just another community appearance.
“It takes everyone’s involvement to ensure that our scholars are successful,” said West Clayton Elementary principal Rochelle Harris. “We’re grateful to have the Skyhawks and Goodwill as a part of our Curriculum Night because they help ignite dreams for parents and scholars while giving them the vehicle to strive for something more than what they may see on a day-to-day basis.”
For the Skyhawks, community engagement has become an important part of the organization’s identity. Programs like Colli’s Classroom allow the team to build relationships with students and families throughout the year instead of limiting its presence to the basketball season.
Basketball may be what brings the Skyhawks together on the court, but nights like this are a reminder that being part of a community means showing up when the scoreboard isn’t involved.
And as Colli’s Classroom enters another school year, the Skyhawks, Goodwill and West Clayton Elementary are continuing to show what can happen when sports, education and community come together with one common goal: creating more opportunities for families to succeed.
To learn more about the Skyhawks’ community initiatives, including Colli’s Classroom, follow @CPSkyhawks on X, Facebook, and Instagram or visit cpskyhawks.com.
