Winning on and off the court
M:7 Shell Sports Complex is designed to help youth realize their full potential both on and off the courts and fields.
To be from Western Pennsylvania, is to have hometown pride in your sports teams. Jim Christiana is no different, he grew up with posters of the Pittsburg Steelers on his bedroom walls. His love for sports took him from little league to the college soccer team. An all-around “sports guy,” he found his true calling in creating mentoring and motivating experiences for the community in which he was born and raised.
With vison comes purpose
Jim was the first of his family to graduate college. He spent 10 years working in state legislature, graduated law school and then went on to create M:7 Sports Inc., an integrated sports agency. He draws on his varied experiences to be an advocate for progress.
Whether you're in the legislature or you’re a business owner, a lot of what you do every day is solve problems, bring solutions to the table and get them implemented.
Jim Christiana, founder and CEO, M:7 Sports Inc.
Bringing solutions
Being a father to an eight-year-old and a five-year-old who are interested in sports, Jim started to hear from other parents frustrated with the lack of local sports facilities in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, causing them to travel hours to neighboring towns for practice. That is when Jim’s worlds collided, he was able to pull in his sports background and community partner relationships to make one of his visions a reality: M:7 Sports Pittsburgh, a new indoor multi-sport complex in Beaver County, Pennsylvania.
Once Jim and his M:7 team started talking about this vision, the more the community excitement grew, and the more Jim narrowed in on how this facility could build a community where families play an active part in its success.
My theory was if we're going to move into this space, if we're going to provide a space for athletes to thrive, it has to be more than just a piece of court and just a piece of turf.
Jim Christiana, founder and CEO, M:7 Sports Inc.
Making it a reality
On August 14, 2024, the sports complex completed its first building. In collaboration with M:7 Sports, Shell acquired exclusive naming rights for 10 years for the first building at M:7 Sports Pittsburgh. Entitled Shell Sports Complex, the building is a state-of-the art 40,000 sq ft indoor facility for youth programs and school districts to train and compete year-round.
Jim Christiana at the Shell Sports Complex opening.
As the operator of the facility, M:7 Sports is anticipating the complex to become a popular all-season destination for athletes, families, and organizations to come for practice, camps and tournaments. More than that, it will provide opportunities for growth and development outside of athletics, including academic/STEM camps, workforce development initiatives, and community events, such as expos and shows. Jim is very passionate about having kids enjoy sports but also know there is life after sports, and the mental wellbeing that comes with having an identity outside of the field or court.
Shell Sports Complex will give young athletes not only a safe, collaborative space to train and play but also other opportunities for growth through educational and workforce initiatives. Knowing that the vast majority of them won’t go on to become professional athletes, it’s important that we provide them with valuable tools to help prepare them for their future lives and careers.
Jim Christiana, founder and CEO, M:7 Sports Inc.
What’s in it?
The Shell Sports Complex features 10,500 sq. ft. of premier synthetic grass, three regulation basketball courts that can be converted into four volleyball courts, and 7,500 sq. ft. of flex space for fitness and health partnerships. Offering a holistic developmental approach for its members, it will also include a body lab, youth psychology center and a brand lab. Construction of a second building for the M:7 Sports Pittsburgh complex is scheduled to begin by the end of 2024.
Building a community
With several assets in the Greater Pittsburgh area including over a dozen gas stations and Shell Polymers Monaca, a 386-acre petrochemical complex, Shell USA, Inc. (“Shell”) has a vested interest in the communities in which its employees live and work.
My team and I are excited to work with M:7 Sports to create the Shell Sports Complex in Beaver County focused on serving the local community. Our shared goal is to create a place where everyone can have access to learn, play, and grow.
Emma Lewis, SVP US Chemicals and Products, Shell USA Inc.
Jim stressed that the complex is designed to benefit everyone, no matter their skill level or financial background, and that Shell is also helping make that possible. As part of the collaboration, Shell invested in the M:7 Sports Foundation, a 501(3)(c) nonprofit created to help break down the barriers to playing sports and provide equitable opportunities for young athletes, regardless of their circumstances.