Wintarian Athletics<\/a> \u2014 the multi-purpose gym where Davis is fulfilling his long-term aspiration and giving back to the local community in the process.<\/p>\nWintarian Athletics currently offers basketball group training sessions Monday through Thursday and Saturday for elementary, middle and high school boys and girls of all levels. Beyond the two basketball courts and the weight room, Wintarian Athletics offers several other fitness opportunities including yoga and Zumba classes, plus soccer and volleyball rentals.<\/p>\n
Davis is committed to further facilitating athlete growth across the board. He’s eager to bring on physical therapists and sports psychologists to assist young athletes in their physical and mental recovery before and after workouts.<\/p>\n
“I never knew how close or far it was, but I definitely knew it was something I always wanted to do,” Davis\u00a0said. “So, I wasn\u2019t going to stop trying whether it happened 10 or 20 years later.”<\/p>\n
A 2014 Marriotts Ridge graduate and Howard County Player of the Year as a senior, he went on to have an accomplished career at Johnson C. Smith University. After a year playing professionally in Portugal and Cyprus, Davis returned to the U.S. in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n
The church’s sports ministry previously offered basketball, softball and track for many years. However, in 2020, Davis and his dad launched the Celebration Church’s outdoor basketball league, which ran from July through October. They even built a new court for\u00a0the inaugural season.<\/p>\n
One of Davis’\u00a0first calls was to Jerard Rucker, who coached him in high school AAU on what is now known as Team Melo \u2014 one of the nation’s elite programs in the Nike EYBL Circuit. Rucker has trained several NBA players, including Baltimore native and Washington Wizards point guard Bub Carrington. One of the Baltimore area’s most highly respected basketball trainers, he spread awareness about the league.<\/p>\n
What initially started out as a men’s league with 15 teams boomed in popularity and extended down to leagues for second and third graders. Social media helped drive that influx with a mix of private clubs, school and AAU teams participating.<\/p>\n
While the league functioned as an extension of the ministry early on, Wintarian Athletics quickly blossomed and began establishing its own brand. Robert and his dad worked through the entire process together, including the name Wintarian.<\/p>\n
Robbie coined the term and defined it as, “a human being who never gives up regardless of the circumstances of their lives.”<\/p>\n
“COVID had shut down everything as far as organized sports were concerned inside and so we thought it was a great opportunity to be able to serve the community in an outdoor venue,” Robbie Davis said. “When I tell you it was explosive, it was absolutely explosive. Hundreds of kids and adults, teens from all over the DMV, men, women, boys, girls. It was powerful.\u201d<\/p>\n
The league’s participation dipped some in the following year with indoor gyms opening back up, but the younger Davis opened an indoor weightlifting facility in the church. In addition to basketball, several trainers brought their clients in for workouts, which only enhanced Wintarian’s presence.<\/p>\n
The chance to open a gym became increasingly realistic and in October 2023, Davis\u00a0connected with Marques Sneed through a mutual friend. At that time, Sneed was preparing to leave the facility where Wintarian Athletics now resides in Elkridge, looking to break out on his own.<\/p>\n
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Wintarian Athletics in Elkridge has a full weight room and two gymnasiums\/basketball courts. (Jeffrey F. Bill\/Staff)<\/div><\/div><\/li>
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Jerard Rucker, Head Basketball Trainer at Wintarian Athletics, right, coaches during a pick-up game during a training session. Former Howard County Player of the Year Robert Davis III founded Wintarian Athletics in Elkridge. (Jeffrey F. Bill\/Staff)<\/div><\/div><\/li>
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Ike Igwe, right, watches a pick-up game two of his sons are participating in, through one of the observation windows at Wintarian Athletics. (Jeffrey F. Bill\/Staff)<\/div><\/div><\/li>
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Jerard Rucker, Head Basketball Trainer, left, and Robert Davis III former Howard County Player of the Year and founder of Wintarian Athletics in Elkridge, right, observe the action during a training session pick-up game. (Jeffrey F. Bill\/Staff)<\/div><\/div><\/li>
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Former Howard County Player of the Year and Wintarian Athletics founder Robert Davis III. (Jeffrey F. Bill\/Staff)<\/div><\/div><\/li>
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Jerard Rucker, Head Basketball Trainer at Wintarian Athletics, center far side line, coaches during a pick-up game during a training session. Former Howard County Player of the Year Robert Davis III founded Wintarian Athletics in Elkridge. (Jeffrey F. Bill\/Staff)<\/div><\/div><\/li>
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Jerard Rucker, Head Basketball Trainer, center-right and Robert Davis III former Howard County Player of the Year and founder of Wintarian Athletics in Elkridge, right, observe the action during a training session pick-up game. (Jeffrey F. Bill\/Staff)<\/div><\/div><\/li>