Yocom
Lance Yocom is not a former college player. He’s a basketball aficionado who has been concealed in an entertainment promoter’s body while serving youth as a basketball coach. As you scratch your head and ask how that makes any sense, here’s some insight and a quick glimpse into how we ended up here.
Early Years
Lance Yocom has been around basketball, coaches, and the sports industry his entire life. He played throughout school in west Texas receiving consistent All-Region awards, MVP of Texas Tech Basketball Camp, was a starter in the State High School All-Star Game, had runs within AAU in Dallas / Fort Worth, and attended Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene to play, get a degree to teach, and coach. Sounds like a typical career path for an aspiring basketball player, right? That was until God had other plans in mind. Freshman year of college, Yocom decided to put the ball down for the first time in his life and devote time to another calling - music. He began producing concerts within the Christian music market which then led to the entertainment industry upon graduation and a move to Dallas / Fort Worth.
Professionally
Over the last 25 years, Yocom has lived within the Dallas / Fort Worth independent and corporate sports and entertainment industry as an event talent buyer, festival producer, marketer, sports administrator, team consultant, and independent business owner. Yocom says he gets excited about the development, production and promotion of music, sports and apparel. He enjoys creating concepts and programming that builds brands and connects people through the power of the sports and entertainment experience. Yocom’s vehicle to facilitate this desire is through Crossover Entertainment - a Sports and Entertainment company he founded and is blessed to co-own with one of the most respected basketball minds of the last 40 years, Donnie Nelson. Yocom is driven by his entertainment background, but is obsessed with his sports roots. Crossover Entertainment is the perfect blend of both worlds.
Back to Basketball
Over the last decade, Yocom’s life has come full circle - a natural 360-degree cycle back to his basketball roots. Yocom, who has two sons who share the same love of the game, began coaching local teams and developing area players 12 years ago. He then found himself partnering with area organizations on clinics and tournaments. This is where Yocom Hoops - the family company which houses Courtside 360 - came into focus. The Courtside platform allows Yocom another medium to channel his basketball passion and knowledge, and combine his professional experience to produce and promote hoops events. Yocom founded Courtside 360 and serves as director of Courtside United Basketball Club.
Courtside 360
Courtside 360 exists out of a desire to create a premier basketball program which provides opportunities that add greater value and purpose to the youth sports experience and produces a positive impact and meaningful contribution in our community. Yocom’s mission is to create basketball programming and experiences which shape and inspire youth to pursue excellence in all they do. His hope is that Courtside 360 athletes are transformed athletically and personally and equipped with the necessary life-tools to reach their highest potential on and off the court.
Accolades + Impact
Throughout Yocom’s career, Dallas Observer and Fort Worth Weekly crowned his independent company with multiple “Best Promoter” awards, coined the promoter as contributing to “the city's most compelling and star-studded showcases”, with “the reputation for throwing the region’s most epic seasonal shindigs”. Critics referenced Yocom as “Local music kingpin”, "Impresario for all things” and “The one to watch”. Dallas Morning News once asked, "Who is this guy? Why is he suddenly doing some of the coolest things in DFW? “.
“Rock N Roll, Pick N Roll ”
It’s these same accolades and impact which navigate and fuel Courtside 360. Within youth basketball, Yocom is known for having an eye for talent, developing young athletes, engaging communities through experiential events, and being a mentor and advisor who ‘connects the dots’ for players, coaches and clubs within a crowded amateur sports network. Yocom’s passion for the game, relationships, and the professional experience that sports and entertainment has provided, is the foundation which supports the spirit and structure of Courtside 360.
Faith + Family + Community
Yocom has drawn up a game plan which he hopes leaves a lasting impression. His principles are founded in faith, family, and community. It’s these three elements that provide the basis for all he does – in entertainment, basketball, and life. Basketball has always been there. It may not have been Yocom’s exclusive profession early in life, but he’s certain it is what he was born to do.
“Basketball is in my blood.
There’s no way around it, just through it. ”