Cranford Teen Up for National Award as Sports Sitters Expands

CRANFORD, NJ - A Cranford teenager behind a growing youth sports program is now in the running for a national honor, with voting set to close tomorrow.Cody DeCoons, 14, founder of Sports Sitters, has been named a finalist for the Entrepreneur of Impact Award, a national competition recognizing emerging business leaders. The winner will receive $25,000, a feature in Entrepreneur magazine, and a one-on-one mentoring session with business leader Daymond John. Community members can support DeCoons by voting here: https://entrepreneurofimpact.org/2025/cody-decoonsThe recognition comes as DeCoons’s business continues to gain traction locally. Sports Sitters connects younger children with student-athlete mentors to help them build skills, confidence, and teamwork in a supportive setting. The program offers one-on-one sessions, small group clinics, and events in basketball, soccer, flag football, and volleyball, with activities held at local parks or at home.Families will have another opportunity to experience the program at a “Meet the Sitters” event on Friday, May 1, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Unami Park. The event is designed for children who were unable to attend the initial session and those interested in learning more about the program. Advance registration is requested via email at SportsSittersNJ@gmail.com.The April 17 kickoff drew 35 children between the ages of 5 and 11 and offered a preview of the program’s structure. Participants began with a craft activity decorating water bottles, followed by an introduction from DeCoons about the mission behind Sports Sitters. After a group warm-up led by Head of Training Ryan Klimko, the children rotated through sports stations before wrapping up with a cool-down and a visit from an ice cream truck.“Sports Sitters is my way of giving back by being that same kind of role model for younger kids in our community,” DeCoons said.The idea for Sports Sitters grew out of DeCoons’s own experience learning sports after moving to Cranford, where mentorship from older athletes helped him develop his abilities. He launched the program with support from the $2,500 Haughey Brothers Young Entrepreneur Grant, which is designed to help young people turn business ideas into reality.