Columbus Wizards Announce Partnership with the Black American Cheer & Dance Association (BACA)

The Columbus Wizards are proud to announce a new community partnership with the Black American Cheer & Dance Association (BACA), an organization dedicated to providing elite training and opportunities for young cheer and dance athletes.

The partnership represents another step forward in the Wizards’ commitment to building meaningful relationships across the Columbus community while creating new opportunities for youth development and engagement through sports and performance.

BACA has built a strong reputation for developing athletes ages 5 to 18 through high-level cheerleading and dance training programs. Their mission centers around mentorship, discipline, leadership, and helping young athletes grow both on and off the floor.

After meeting with BACA leadership and learning more about the organization’s impact, it became clear that the two groups shared a common vision.

Columbus Wizards President Casey Gillespie reflected on that first conversation.

“When Jay and I first met, I admittedly didn’t have a complete understanding of everything that BACA was involved in,” said Gillespie. “But as we continued talking, it became incredibly clear that our values, our vision, and our desire to pour into the next generation were completely aligned. That’s when I knew this was something we had to build together.”

Through this partnership, BACA will serve as an official community partner of the Columbus Wizards, with opportunities to participate in Wizards events and help elevate the game-day entertainment experience for fans throughout the season.

The collaboration also opens the door for future initiatives focused on youth empowerment, mentorship, and providing platforms for young athletes to showcase their talent.

For the Wizards organization, partnerships like this are about more than basketball.

They are about building something meaningful in the city of Columbus.

“From the beginning, we’ve said that the Wizards are going to be a community-driven organization,” Gillespie added. “This partnership with BACA is another example of what that looks like. We want to create opportunities, highlight talent, and bring organizations together that are working to make a real impact.”

As the Wizards prepare to tip off their inaugural season in The Basketball League (TBL), partnerships like this continue to strengthen the organization’s presence across Central Ohio.

Together, the Columbus Wizards and BACA are committed to inspiring the next generation and creating unforgettable experiences for the community.