On Wednesday, Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum announced she will launch a new, first-of-its-kind mentorship program, Dawg Class, designed to give back to women collegiate athletes.
Dawg Class, which will launch in April, will be Plum’s first initiative with Under Armour since signing with the brand in November of 2022. The mentorship program will support young women athletes’ path through sport and provide nine of the top collegiate women’s basketball guards with the visibility and resources needed to level up to the professional ranks.
After months of hard work and dedication with the @UnderArmour team, I’m proud to announce the Kelsey Plum Dawg Class!
I know from personal experience that there’s a major gap between the college game and the pro game, and that’s something we are determined to address. https://t.co/O03yVXGQyW
— Kelsey Plum (@Kelseyplum10) March 1, 2023
“The Dawg Class with Under Armour will bridge the gap between college and the professional game,” Plum said. “It’s difficult to jump to the next level, and I didn’t have anyone helping me navigate the unknown. I want to pass on the knowledge that I’ve gained and the resources available to me now to young women who are about to take that next step.
“Anyone can have this dawg mentality. It’s about creating an internal confidence and drive that sustains you through the good times and the bad,” Plum continued. “I want to invite people to learn this mentality so they always feel supported even when they’re flying solo.”
In the program, Plum will guide athletes through a three-day experience that will instill a “never-back-down” mindset that Plum calls the “dawg mentality.” In addition to the on-court drills and competition, Plum and the team will host a range of off-court sessions that focus on topics such as training and recovery, mental preparation and approach, nutrition, hormonal health, financial literacy, and personal brand building.
“Both Under Armour and Kelsey believe that creating equity in sport sometimes means developing a path that today may not exist. We created the Dawg Class Academy because it is what women athletes deserve,” said Charece Williams Gee, senior director and head of sports marketing at Under Armour. “Kelsey’s resilience and never-give-up mentality makes her the perfect advocate to create the waves needed for change that will span generations.”
In 2023, Plum is set to begin her sixth season in the WNBA. The guard is coming off an All-Star and All-WNBA First Team season last year, during which she averaged a career-high 20.2 points and 5.1 assists to go along with 2.7 rebounds and 1.0 steals over 36 games.
