Conversations with CAAT Wildcaats

Today we would like to introduce you to the CAAT Wildcaats. They and their team shared their story with us below:

Competitive Advantage Athletic Training, Inc. was founded in September of 2020 with two teams. We had just finished a season with another organization, and our founder, Frederick Anderson, Jr., brought up some issues regarding financial transparency to the administrators of the previous organization. Coach Anderson was told, “All we need you to do is coach. Don’t worry about the administrative concerns.”

Coach Anderson, who has been coaching for over 18 years now, determined to develop a safe haven for athletes and their families to do sport-specific training and to have positive mentors available to the youth of all backgrounds. CAAT is a non-profit training organization organized for the purpose of fostering national amateur sports competitions and training young athletes in sports-specific speed, agility, strength, conditioning, and skill improvement needs. CAAT’s mission is to combat community deterioration and juvenile delinquency. We use the pursuit of competitive advantage in sports to inspire our youth to be productive members of society and use the principals of hard work and accountability in all aspects of their lives.

In our three years of existence, we have doubled in size each year, now serving over 70 families during our peak spring/summer session and employing over 15 paid and volunteer staff members. We are now in need of our own facility to continue to provide quality programming seven days a week and further our community reach. We have youth ranging from 7-17 years old.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. We constantly struggle to raise funds to support our programming. We are in a constant battle to remain competitive as far as program pricing. We also have had a few staff members absorb the blueprint, and try to duplicate our efforts on their own. The travel basketball community can be pretty cutthroat as far as “poaching athletes” to play for other programs. We believe that if we continue to operate in integrity, that God will provide the resources and the right people to continue the vision.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
In my regular line of employment, I’m a Vehicle Product Training Specialist for Lexus. I travel 75% of the time to various Lexus dealerships and training events around the country to educate them on the product. Naturally, teaching content and coaching go hand in hand. I strive to leave something better than I found it as a life epithet.

I was recognized by President Obama at the 2013 Commencement Address at Morehouse College. It his acknowledgement, he recognized me for persistence and setting an example of what it means to be a man. Allstate subsequently bought my picture from that moment and used me as the face of the HBCU Quote to Vote campaign. The media following led to my current employment at Toyota Motor North America (Lexus). I was quoted in the address as saying, “God has a plan for my life. And He’s not done with me yet.” I’m a firm believer that this continues to hold true.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Persistence and professionalism, I believe, have to be the differentiating factors that I can attribute to success. When you have a better product by holding yourself to a higher standard, the repetitions will show through continued practice. I always tell my athletes, “All work is not good work; only good work is good work!” We emphasize maximum effort and concentration with each drill or repetition.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.caatwildcaats.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/caatwildcaats
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/caatwildcaats
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/caatwildcaats
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@FatHouse13?si=h0o4metaJdP-6DoT