Inspiring Conversations with Monni Tripp of East Metro Sports, LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Monni Tripp.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’m from a small neighborhood, located in Greensboro Georgia, called Caanan. In my neighborhood, most kids always played and loved the game of basketball. I played on the high school team there and went on to play 4 years at Albany State University. After getting my degree, I got married and began to sell real estate. I found a love for coaching youth sports as I coached my kids and hundreds of others in the recreation programs of Newton County. I began teaching math and coaching middle school basketball at Clements Middle School located in the Newton County school district. As the head coach for 4 years, I racked up an overall league record of 64-8 and have had the pleasure of coaching popular players such as Jakai Newton (University of Indiana, GA State University), Miles Rice (Washington State, University of Indiana, University of Maryland, Pac 12 Freshman of the Year), and Stephon Castle (UCONN, San Antonio Spurs, Big East Freshman of the Year, NBA Rookie of the Year). During my 5th and final year at Clements, I wanted to do more to help the athletes on the Eastside of Atlanta and also do more in my community. I figured that I could do more for my students if I created a safe space for them outside of the school setting. God gave me a vision for a Skill Development Facility for the athletes with open gym and fitness opportunities for others. From that vision, East Metro Sports was born.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth transition from teaching and coaching to entrepreneurship and skills training/development. Most of my struggles were, and still are, learning to let go and trust others with my vision. I had invested so much of my own sweat equity to get the building available to open, that I felt I had to wear every hat for the business, which is impossible. Also, when you start, you’re so gung-ho and think that just because you built it, they will come, and that’s far from reality. I had to get used to the planning, organizing, programming, and most importantly, trusting and delegating. In the beginning I thought I wasn’t going to make it as long as I have. After one month of opening my doors, the state of GA had a mandatory shutdown of businesses such as mine (gyms) and advised people to stay inside due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, that turned out to be a blessing in disguise. As mainstream gyms like the local rec center, YMCAs, Boys and Girls Clubs, LA Fitness, 24-hour Fitness, and other big-name organizations closed their doors, it opened the door for my small one-man operation to benefit. There were ball players from up and down the eastern shore as far North as Canada and as far West as California, who visited my gym for workouts because they couldn’t find an open gym to come and get trained, as most every gym was closed. I had professional ball players come to train for the bubble. As well as high school and college players come to stay sharp on their skills in hopes of a season. God is indeed a way maker!

As you know, we’re big fans of East Metro Sports, LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
East Metro Sports, LLC is a skills development facility that offers skill development/training for basketball, football, baseball/softball players and athletic/strength enhancement for athletes of all sports. Although, we specialize in basketball skills development/training, we do have trainers who work with football and baseball players as well. Coach Kurt Taylor, former Newton High school star and University of Michigan running back, has come aboard to head our football development and fitness, speed and strength programs. We service athletes as young as 5 years old up to adult aged professionals. What sets East Metro Sports apart from others is the authentic community-based character that allows for student athletes to call at times when they usually can’t get into a gym anywhere in the metro area and ask me to open the doors so that they can put up shots. Another thing that separates East Metro Sports from others is the quality of training our kids receive. Coach Derrick “Train to Win” Brooks is in my eyes, and many others, one of the best skills trainers in th world. I’m blessed to have him work along side me. I find myself learning a lot from him. We’re beginning to experience some of the kids who started with us grow into big-time college programs, with many more to follow over the coming years. Through all of the ups and downs, I am proud of how the people in my community feel about what we are trying to do for our kids. It makes me proud to hear them speak on it with the same pride that I have. If you’re reading this, and you’re on the “Eastside” of Atlanta and you’re looking for a place to hoop or workout, pull up to East Metro Sports, aka Tripp’s Gym!

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
My former player, Chazadi “Chit-Chat” Wright (current point guard for Iowa women’s basketball) has a T-Shirt line called NO LUCK!! What that means to me is, that everything happens for a reason. I know that God has a plan for me. I don’t believe in luck (good or bad). I believe that God allows us to experience lessons for us grow into what he has planned us.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.eastmetrosports.com
• Instagram: @eastmetrosports; @montiliatripp

Image Credits
Erica Wheeler (WNBA All-Star game MVP, Indiana Fever, Seattle Storm); Marcus Georgeous-Hunt (Georgia Tech, Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Skyhawks, China); Sanaa Tripp (Belmont University)