BigTime Sports helps student athletes get scholarships

By Edoye Porbeni

Brandie Beane' (L), landed a vollyball scholarship to Winston Salem State University with help from Tim Bickerstaff (R), who is founder of BigTime Sports Scouting Services.

Five days a week, Tim Bickerstaff is a district sales manager for DHL Delivery Company. On the weekends, he helps high school athletes get college scholarships through his recruiting company,
BigTime Sports Scouting Services, which is located in Pine Lake .

After only five months in business,
BigTime Sports' first athlete, Brandie Beane,' signed a contract for a volleyball scholarship with Winston Salem State
University , Winston Salem, North Carolina.

Beane,' a recent graduate of Joseph Wheeler High School in Marietta , has been playing volleyball for six years. She says she heard about BigTime Sports from a friend just before completing her senior year this year.

"I didn't know people actually did this type of thing," Beane' said. "Working with Mr. Bickerstaff was a good experience. He is very hands-on. He always made sure I was comfortable during the process."

Bickerstaff, who also owns a sports-themed barbershop in Lithonia, The Cut Zone, says his love for sports and helping people inspired him to create BigTime Sports.

As the son of an NBA coach, Bickerstaff says he has first-hand knowledge of the "ins and outs" of the sports industry.

"I started this business because I wanted to use my knowledge to help students and families get the funds they need while doing what they love," Bickertstaff said.

For a $750 fee, Bickerstaff and his team of seven recruiters work with athletes, as early as the ninth grade, to make sure they keep on the right track to athletic scholarships for college.

Bickerstaff says many parents rely on coaches to help students get money for college. He said this mentality, however, is misleading because coaches are paid to coach and not to help get, students college scholarships.

"Some coaches do try to help student athletes get scholarships, but they can't do it for everyone. And most of the time, coaches will go that extra mile for athletes they favor. But 'coach's favorite' may not always be the most talented athlete and your child may loose out if he or she is not (the favorite)," Bickerstaff said.

As part of their service, Bickerstaff and his recruiters videotape athlete's games to send to schools. They also meet with parents and teachers to get information about each athlete, including: GPA, SAT scores, Clearing House status and school conduct. Bickerstaff forwards the information to some 30 colleges with whom he is working.

"Many of these athletes come from single-parent families who don't have the time to do all the things it takes to get their children where they need to be. Many parents don't know what the Clearinghouse is or the difference between core class GPAs and overall GPAs. That's where we come in," Bickerstaff said.

For more information on BigTime Sports, call 404-294-7357 or visit www.bigtime-sports.com

Grand opening for movie theater will feature free tickets

Cinefé theater owner Lee May has renovated the former Spotlight Theaters in Lithonia to make it more appealing to families who enjoy going to the movies.

Lee May is inviting the community to the grand opening of his Cinefé movie theater on Saturday, June 18, at 2244 Panola Road , Lithonia.

As part of the celebration, May is giving away 500 movie tickets that may be used that day up until 2 p.m. The grand opening ceremonies will begin at noon .

"My idea is to provide South DeKalb with a premiere location for entertainment in a family-friendly environment." said May, a Lithonia resident.

May, 29, inked a deal last month for the former Spotlight Theatres, which showed $1 movies. May decided to bring first-rate movies to the theater and expand the menu to include café selections. Along with a new concept, he has given the facility a new look, painting and installing new curtains and flooring at the eight-screen theatre.

May said that he used personal savings and investments from family and friends to renovate the facility.

"This was an enormous undertaking and a large investment for me and my wife," May said. "Thanks to friends, family and other business investors who believe in my vision, my once unreachable dream has turned into a reality."

For more information about current showings and the grand opening events, call 770-593-2600.

Hot off the Grill

Smokey Bones Barbeque & Grill has opened at Stonecrest. DeKalb County officials and other invited guests attended a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 7 to celebrate the restaurant's opening.

Smokey Bones is part of Florida-based Darden Restaurants, which also operates Olive Garden, Red Lobster and Bahama Breeze. The restaurant offers a lunch and dinner menu that includes St. Louis and baby back barbeque ribs, pulled pork, sliced smoked turkey, burgers, steaks, chicken and seafood.

The restaurant is located outside the Mall at Stonecrest near Arizona 's steakhouse.

Refrence : http://www.ocgnews.com/Archives/June15/Sections/businessNews-Sec.htm