"Coach’s Corner: Changing the Game for Underrated Athletes Through Faith and Focus"

Ian Cunningham

Founder, I.C. Change Basketball Showcase

Twitter/X: @iancle1 | Instagram: @icchangeshowcase

For thousands of young athletes chasing a dream, the road to college opportunities and scholarships is often paved with price tags that many families simply cannot afford. In Cleveland, Ohio, that story is being rewritten through I.C. Change Basketball Showcase, a platform built not on profit but on purpose. At the heart of it all is Ian Cunningham, a visionary who turned his own journey into a movement that is opening doors, shaping character, and changing lives.

Ian grew up in Cleveland as the son of British immigrants, blazing his own path through boxing, basketball, and soccer. A graduate of Eleanor Gerson High School, he eventually played junior college soccer at Lorain County Community College, where sports taught him discipline, teamwork, and accountability. But the deeper calling in his life came off the field. His time coaching and later working with the Ohio Department of Juvenile Corrections revealed just how much impact he could have on young lives. Helping others had always been in his heart, but the question lingered of how he could create something bigger, something lasting.

The spark came during a Sunday sermon when the pastor asked, “What are you doing to make a difference in society?” On the drive home, Ian turned to his wife, Bianca, his partner of 21 years, and told her, “I have a vision.” That vision became the I.C. Change Basketball Showcase, a free event that would give underserved youth the opportunity to be seen. Inspired by a documentary about a former NBA player coaching at an HBCU, he approached his church about hosting an event in their gym. In 2019, the first showcase tipped off in Twinsburg, Ohio, with just 38 players and seven college coaches in attendance. From that moment, it was clear something special had been born.

What makes I.C. Change unique is its mission of empowerment without exploitation. Unlike the countless events that demand hundreds of dollars from families desperate for exposure, this showcase is completely free, run entirely by volunteers who believe in the vision. Ian's wife handles logistics and sponsorships, his daughter oversees athletic training, his son manages setup and graphics, and trusted figures like Gary Fiedtkou, Noel Roman, and Troy Denefield step in to make every event a success. Referees sharpen their craft through the Fellowship of Christian Officials, volunteer coaches mentor players, and even DJ Velle adds life and energy to the gym. It has become more than a showcase, but a community.

But Ian's work stretches far beyond the court. At the historic Cuyahoga County Juvenile Detention Center, he mentors youth who face circumstances stacked against them. Many of these kids, he says, never had a fair chance, unable to control where they live or how they are seen by society. His mission is to be a positive force in a world that too often overwhelms them with negativity. That same heart beats inside I.C. Change, where every whistle blown and every basket made is part of a larger mission of hope.

Over the years, I.C. Change has grown connections that stretch all the way to the professional level, including with former NBA guard Smush Parker, who now serves as the event’s keynote speaker. “Smush is my brother in Christ,” Ian says, pointing to the strength of their relationship and the impact it has on kids who suddenly see a real NBA player standing in their gym, encouraging them to dream.

Faith has always been the foundation. Ian is quick to acknowledge that in an industry where money dominates, he has been able to keep the showcase free only by leaning on God. His guiding scripture is Romans 12:12 — “Rejoice in hope. Be patient in tribulation. Be constant in prayer.” It’s that faith that allows him to stay grounded, to keep giving, and to push forward even when doubt and obstacles come his way. People told him he could never run a free showcase, that it wouldn’t work, but Ian stayed focused. Sponsors, volunteers, and families like the Jacksons, Eikenberrys, and Travises stepped in to help, and the vision grew stronger than ever. Today, the showcase not only creates exposure but has also awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships to athletes who might otherwise be overlooked.

The recruiting landscape has shifted with NIL and the transfer portal, and Ian recognizes the challenges high school athletes face. His focus is to remind kids that opportunities exist at every level. “We’re the Big Showcase for the Small Schools,” he explains, pointing to the value of D3, NAIA, JUCO, and Prep programs. His advice is to embrace every chance, every connection, and every moment, because there is no one path to success.

Through every chapter of this journey, Ian's “why” has never changed. He knows what it feels like to have little, and he knows too many kids today have even less. His mission is to change how people see those kids, and how they see themselves. For him, the greatest victory isn’t a college commitment or a headline, it’s seeing athletes grow into kind, caring, and loving people who carry those values into the rest of their lives.

At the end of the day, Ian measures success by faith, family, and true friendships. His reward is the love he pours out and the love that comes back. What began as a vision in 2018 has turned into a movement that shows no signs of slowing down. His message to every young dreamer is to focus on your journey, give 100%, trust God’s plan, and know that even if basketball doesn’t take you to college, becoming the best version of yourself is the greatest win of all.

Gratitude flows from every part of his story — gratitude for the families, the players, the volunteers, and every moment that has made I.C. Change possible. From a pastor’s challenge in a church pew to a gym filled with hope, Ian Cunningham has proven that love, faith, and focus can build something that changes lives one player at a time.