The Chicago Sky WNBA signed a 14-year-old girl with cerebral palsy to a one-day contract to fulfill her dream of being a professional basketball player. Kiara Hood, of Blue Island, along with her family, spent a Friday in August with the team as they prepared to take on the Washington Mystics at Allstate Arena.

Kiara got to join the team for a shoot-around, was formally signed and took questions from media. She called the Sky "an amazing team" and said she liked how they support and motivate each other "to keep on going."

WNBA scoring leader Elena Delle Donne returned the compliment, saying she admired the girl's ability to overcome obstacles.

Kiara's day with the Sky was made possible with help from the Magellan Corporation and LaRabida Children's Hospital. LaRabida is a small pediatric specialty hospital for extended acute care that caters to children with lifelong medical conditions. Magellan is a proud supporter of LaRabida and their extraordinary commitment to bettering the lives of children who so richly deserve their loving care.

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On Tuesday, July 21, 2015, the Chicago Sky WNBA hosted African American Heritage Night benefiting the DuSable Museum of African American History, sponsored by Magellan Corporation.

The DuSable Museum of African American History is dedicated to the study and conversation of African American history, culture and art. It was founded in 1961 and stands in Chicago's Washington Park. It is the oldest and, before the founding of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., the largest caretaker of African American culture in the United States. And while it is not always possible to visit the museum, on this night, the museum went to the basketball court!

"I can't thank you enough for the exposure you gave to the Museum last night. Our Chairman of the Board, COO, Board Treasurer, and other board members and staff were there and were blown away at the love you showed us.  So many people who may not have heard of us now have an idea about who we are," stated Bonnie DeShong, Director of External Affairs at the DuSable Museum.

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A 5-hour, knee-slapping good concert for 400 guests on July 23, 2015, the Old Town School of Folk Music Gala raised $400,000 to support their initiatives, and Magellan Corporation was proud to sponsor.

Beginning with a restaurant crawl, the event migrated back to OSFM where guests enjoyed a raucous performance by blues musician Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires. Called "the screaming eagle of soul," Charles was the subject of the documentary, "Soul of America." He passed away just 2 years later in 2017.

The next performance of the evening was the piano-accompanied crooning of legendary songwriter Randy Newman, who performed, among other hits, his Toy Story blockbuster, "You've Got a Friend in Me." Randy has won 2 Academy Awards, 3 Emmys, 7 Grammys, and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The Old Town School of Folk Music, explained director of individual giving Gary Snyderman, "is an amazing melting pot where people of different traditions come together."

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Mesirow Financial hosted VIPs at Prime & Provisions for an evening with basketball great Dwayne Wade. Chicago's Best host Brittney Payton moderated a Q&A session between the NBA star and his sister Tragil Wade while guests enjoyed a sumptuous plated dinner.

Dwayne is an American former professional basketball player who spent the majority of his 16 year career playing for the Miami Heat in the NBA. He won three NBA championships, was a 13 time NBA All-Star, and 8-time member of the All-NBA Team, and a 3-time member of the All-Defensive Team. Wade is Miami's all-time leader in points, games, assists, steals, shots made, and shots taken.

At the 2008 Summer Olympics, Dwayne led the United States men's basketball team, known to fans as the "Redeem Team," in scoring and helped them capture the gold medal. After playing with Miami, Dwayne Wade played for the Chicago Bulls, then the Cleveland Cavaliers before finishing his playing career.

Magellan Corporation was delighted to participate in the lively evening.

Magellan sponsored the 8th Annual Chicago Blackhawks Convention, a popular annual event.  

The convention featured players, coaches, Blackhawks Alumni, and team broadcasters. Thousands of attendees of the sold-out event could choose from 14 Q&A panels, interactive games, Stanley Cup viewing, autograph sessions, photo ops and more. Magellan clients, families and friends were given the opportunity to skip the lines and attend private "meet and greet" sessions with the athletes and coaches, as well as with past players.

Attendees let Magellan know what an incredible experience the convention was, "I would just like to say thank you again for the once-in-a-lifetime experience Magellan showed myself and my children at the 8th Annual Chicago Blackhawks Convention this year. It is truly an honor and a privilege to be associated with Magellan Corporation and their employees. Again, on behalf of myself and my children, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness and generosity. You all are truly special people."

Advertisers have done everything to put the logo of their company anywhere at sporting events. Recently, ads on jerseys became a major topic in the NBA under the league's new media deals.

On Thursday, the Chicago Sky announced their first ever jersey sponsorship with Magellan, a Deerfield-based specialty steel distributor.

“We are thrilled to have Magellan on our team,” said Chicago Sky President and CEO Adam Fox in a statement released by the team. “We share Magellan’s deep passion for serving our community. This is not only a mutually-beneficial promotional alliance showcasing two strong corporate citizens; this is the start of a very strong community partnership that will enrich lives and continue to show the world what’s possible.”

As part of a WNBA-wide deal, the Sky will keep the Boost Mobile logo underneath the player's number on the front of the jersey, while the Magellan logo will be on the upper left shoulder.

On April 13, 2015 the Adler Planetarium commemorated the 45th anniversary of Apollo XIII and dedicated Mission Moon, the Adler's newest exhibit, which features artifacts from the personal collection of astronaut and American hero Captain James A. Lovell, Jr.

In 1968, Captain Lovell became one of the first three humans to fly to and orbit the moon. He then commanded the 1970 Apollo 13 lunar mission which, after a critical failure en route, circled around the moon and returned safely to earth through the efforts of the crew and mission control.He was the first person to fly into space four times. A small crater on the far side of the moon was named Lovell in his honor in 1970; not a landmark many can visit, but as impressive as it comes!

Captain Lovell was joined at the event by fellow astronauts Michael Collins, Walter Cunningham and Charles Duke, as well as flight directors Gerald Griffin and Milton Windler.

The Adler Planetarium is America's first planetarium and a premiere resource for inspiring the next generation of space explorers. And this group is plenty inspiring!

If you’re taking in a White Sox game at U.S. Cellular Field, chances are good you’ll notice the Magellan Corp. brand. The Deerfield-based global steel distributor is the official sponsor of the White Sox’ premium Scout Seat section and the Scout Seat Lounge, which is located on the second level of the stadium directly behind home plate.

“The Chicago White Sox are a premier international brand, which dovetails nicely into our global business,” said Magellan President Bob Arthur.

A company deeply committed to philanthropy, Magellan president Bob Arthur has used sponsorship ties to help promote a number of the charitable organizations it supports, including Gilda’s Club, La Rabida Children’s Hospital and Chicago White Sox Charities.

“We are thrilled to partner with an organization that has such a sterling reputation as Magellan,” Boyer said.

For Magellan, giving back central to its overall game plan.

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Staff and students from Major Adams Community Committee and Youth Guidance’s B.A.M. (Becoming a Man) program were treated to a VIP kind of evening as the Bulls and Magellan Corporation teamed up to host Violence Prevention Night at the United Center on Tuesday.

A group of more than 25 students watched as Joakim Noah and his teammates turned in a gutsy performance for a win against the visiting Washington Wizards. Then, those on hand for the third in a series of three signature nights held during the 2014-15 season to highlight the Bulls’ areas of charitable focus got to meet their hero.

Noah did it all against the Wizards, finishing with 14 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and three blocks. But his work wasn’t done at the final buzzer as he met with the groups, took photos and signed autographs after the game.

The group also watched the team’s pregame warm ups and took a center court photo in addition to receiving a Bulls drawstring bag, t-shirt and notebook. To continue reading, click here.

The Chicago Fire Soccer Club and nearly 800 supporters joined together to kick off the 2015 season at the 17th Annual Chicago Fire Season Kickoff Luncheon, presented by Magellan Corporation. At the event, emceed by Comcast SportsNet Chicago anchor and reporter Jen Lada, the Fire introduced the 2015 squad, and celebrated the expansion of the P.L.A.Y.S. (Participate, Learn, Achieve, Youth, Soccer) Program. The crowd cheered Chicago Fire players David Accam, Kennedy Igboananike, Shaun Maloney and Mike Magee as they modeled the team’s new secondary Chicago flag-inspired jerseys.

“What a terrific day to celebrate the season ahead,” said Atul Khosla, COO, Chicago Fire Soccer Club.  “This has been a fantastic offseason, both on and off the field and we look forward to our first MLS match of the year this Friday and to the home opener March 14. A special thanks, as well, to our friends at Magellan Corporation. Their support today was central to the success of the event.” The luncheon raised more than $85,000 for the Chicago Fire Foundation.

A by-invitation-only luncheon today with some of the business community's most prominent leaders raised $200,000 toward building a $9.8 million tennis facility on land that was formerly part of the Robert Taylor Homes.

"We raised the money we needed to break ground," Kamau Murray, executive director of the foundation that runs the facility, told me after the luncheon. "The goal is to bring more tournaments and events to the city so our kids can gain a ranking. You can't go for a scholarship to college without that."

Richard Price, chairman and CEO of Mesirow Financial, gathered friends and clients for the event at his company's Clark Street office to hear Mayor Rahm Emanuel and others talk about how the tennis center will transform Chicago. Mesirow donated $50,000 toward the new facility.

The 112,000-square-foot facility at 54th and State streets will be home to 10 tennis courts, a fitness center, a running track and classrooms. To continue reading, click here.

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The Chicago Bulls unveiled the sixth iteration of their iconic player introduction video, “Running of the Bulls”, at tonight’s home opener vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Bulls remained true to the tradition of the “Running of the Bulls”, which is marking its 20th anniversary this season, while modernizing the film by incorporating cutting-edge innovations in visual effects technology.

Today, player introductions are presented by BMO Harris Bank, and the new player introduction video incorporates BMO Harris Bank, Magellan Corporation and United Airlines.

“The Bulls are proud of our history as a leader in blending entertainment and live sports,” said Michael Reinsdorf, Chicago Bulls President and COO. “The reimagined ‘Running of the Bulls’ integrates the latest in visual technology with the tradition that our fans love and expect from our team. The new video, paired with enhanced graphics on the United Center’s new 3-tier LED ribbon boards, as well as concert-style lighting design and special effects, elevates the fan experience to a whole new level.” To continue, click here.

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