ABOUT
GoEmpire Group is a full-service athlete representation firm based in Chicago. Our professionals possess a thorough understanding of the sport industry, with experts in personal management and representation, including contact negotiation, marketing guidance and career counseling.
We understand the complexities and legalities of the industry and we take this exciting opportunity to offer a wide arrangement of possibilities for our current and prospective players. WIth our global outreach we are able to provide our clients with an immense ammount of option. Our relentless nature and supporting cast of agents and representatives will stop at nothing to help our clients reach their goals on and off the court.
Edward C. Grochowiak
Founder, Executive Director
(NBPA and FIBA certified)
Born and raised in Chicago, Edward founded GoEmpire Group in 2011 and has served as the Agency’s Executive Director in addition to being the Head NBPA and FIBA Certified Agent since inception.
Edward oversees and manages day-to-day operations of GoEmpire Group. Mr. Grochowiak is responsible for client recruitment, client relations, player marketing, agency marketing, strategic planning, philanthropic outreach and is a liaison with Owners, Front Office staff, Coaches, Players, Scouts and other basketball personnel throughout America & the rest of the world.
Edward has negotiated contracts with teams at all levels including the NBA, NBA G-League & in multiple overseas leagues, varying across six continents. As of 2019, Edward has been certified by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), which allows him to be able to represent student-athletes who request evaluation from the NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee and also want to maintain the eligibility. Presently, Edward ranks in the top 40% of NBA certified agents as someone who has negotiated at least one NBA contract on behalf of a client.
Edward attended the University of Dayton where he graduated with a bachelor’s of arts degree in Sport Administration (C’10) and continued on to earn his master of arts degree in Sport Administration from Northwestern University (C’13), graduating cum laude. Edward is a devoted member of the Screen Actors Guild and is actively involved with the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago and Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.
Cole McKeel
Vice President
As the Vice President of GoEmpire Group, McKeel is responsible for international operations, including client recruiting and relations, as well as ensuring the continued satisfaction of GoEmpire clients. His duties also include: player marketing, community service initiatives, strategic planning and video.
Cole was the head manager for the men’s basketball program at the University of Louisville, where he graduated with honors with a bachelor degree in sport administration and minors in business administration, finance and marketing. Upon graduation, McKeel furthered his education at Louisville, earning a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in finance. McKeel has also received a Master of Science, Olympic Studies, Olympic Education and Organization and Management of Olympic Events from the International Olympic Academy and the University of Peloponnese in Olympia, Greece.
Originally from Paducah, Kentucky, Cole previously served as the manager of Olympic & Paralympic Training Center sport business development for the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee from 2016-2020. In addition, McKeel is an adjunct professor for the sport and recreation management program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. McKeel also serves on the Networking Pillar Committee for the Southeast Tourism Society and the Advisory Committee for the Adapted Sport Leadership & Business Symposium.
Evan Sirkey
Director of Scouting
Proud representative of the DMV,
Evan joins GoEmpire Group as the
Director of Scouting where his main
duties will be in identifying prospects who
fit the culture of GoEmpire Group both on and off the floor. These tasks include video breakdown and talent evaluation.
Evan is an integral member for establishing relationships with potential clients. Evan works on comprehensive marketing and brand development strategies that aid in recruiting as well.
Evan attended Towson University (2014) where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in sports management with a minor in business administration. Prior to joining GoEmpire, Evan served as the Director of Basketball Operations for a post-graduate program, Koa Sports, located just outside of Washington, D.C.
Jon Newberry
Digital Media Specialist
Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Jon
Newberry graduated from Emory
University in Atlanta where he ran track
and cross-country while earning his BBA
in marketing and communications. Jon went on to earn his Masters degree in Sports Information at Georgia State University where he also worked in the Sports Communications office.
Jon spent six seasons (2006-2012) working with the Atlanta Hawks, first as their Senior E-Marketing Coordinator and later as Website Manager, focusing his work on developing and updating the franchise website as well as contributing to other digital marketing initiatives. Jon also has work experience in various media relations roles at Florida Tech, Georgia State University, and the Richmond Roosters minor league baseball team.
Colin Casey
Director of Internal Operations
Colin was born and raised in Philadelphia,
and is a 2010 graduate of the University
of Richmond. While at Richmond, he
served as a men's basketball manager on
Chris Mooney's staff, serving as head manager
during both his Junior and Senior years.
Upon graduating from Richmond, Colin went on to earn a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) in Sport Management from Seton Hall University (‘12). Most recently, he spent time in sales roles with companies like Madison Square Garden and PrimeSport, becoming well-skilled in building and managing client relationships.
As Director of Internal Operations, Colin is active in both basketball and business strategies and decisions which include brand building, internal & external marketing as well as player scouting and recruiting, among other operational tasks and duties.
Dr. Peter Titlebaum, Ed.D
Business Affairs Consultant
Dr. Peter Titlebaum, Ed.D, is a Professor
at the University of Dayton. His areas of
expertise include marketing, sales,
fund-raising, activation, return on
investment and return of objective strategies.
Peter is frequent recruited and booked as a speaker
with over 200 presentations and 150 publications to his credit.
Aaron Silver
Director of Basketball Operations
(FIBA certified)
As Director of Basketball Operations,
Aaron has a wide range of responsibilities
at GoEmpire Group, including scouting,
client recruitment and relations, and player marketing. Additionally, Aaron assists in management of day to day operations.
Aaron graduated with a degree in Sport Management and Business from Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA. While at Gonzaga, Aaron served as a manager for the Men’s basketball program.
Prior to joining GoEmpire Group, Aaron managed and advised federal, state, and local political campaigns in California, as well as consulting for Fortune 500 companies and professional sports franchises.
Born and raised in Oakland, CA, Aaron now lives in Chicago, IL with his wife and french bulldog, Benji.
Taylor Darby
Director of Client Development
Growing up in San Diego, Taylor Darby
has played with and against the likes of
James Harden, Klay Thompson, Jrue
Holiday, and many others.
As a standout at Pepperdine University, he was named a two-year captain and three-time West Coast Conference All-Academic Team. Darby then signed on with GoEmpire Group as a client and played in 40 games professionally overseas in Chile, Denmark, Israel and Uruguay from 2012-2014.
As a former player himself, Darby’s ability to mentor clients is invaluable. With knowledge from his peers that are still playing, Darby has a good handle of which clubs are a fit for certain players' personality types. He is well respected in the basketball community, and he is especially helpful to those who are just transitioning out of college.
As Director of Client Development, Darby's responsibilities include assisting the agency in the recruitment of players, as well as providing guidance to clients, helping to ensure they have the best chance to succeed in both their professional and personal lives.
Dr. Nate Willis
Brand Management Consultant
Dr. Willis offers strategic advice on both
client and organizational operations at
GoEmpire Group. Helping aid in client
retention, Willis works personally with
agency clients on building both on and off court
development through a variety of detailed strategies.
Willis' operational experience over the years also includes working with multi-million dollar entities like the NBA, NFL, MLB, and NCAA in various marketing and contract negotiations. In addition, he has worked with a $26 million collegiate facility management project. He possesses a health-analytical background allowing him to make specific connections between health and sport related outcomes.
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