The GradeCheck® Management Team
Shelia McBride
Founder
smcbride@gradecheck.net
Shelia McBride is the founder of GradeCheck®, an Academic Qualifier Advocacy
services firm for high school athletes. GradeCheck® assists students to ensure academic
compliance with the NCAA Clearinghouse requirements. GradeCheck® does this through
transcript tracking, tutorial services, and serving as a liaison between high school
administrative offices and the NCAA Clearinghouse.
Like many great ideas, GradeCheck® was born out of necessity. The company was founded
in 1997 in Detroit, Michigan by Shelia McBride. McBride’s son, Kevin Shorter,
was a standout basketball player on his high school team and was determined to play
in the NCAA. Ensuring he met the eligibility requirements laid down by the NCAA,
however, proved a much greater challenge than either of them thought.
While reviewing her own son’s academic performance, McBride developed a clear
understanding of the NCAA requirements and a system for rapidly determining Kevin’s
standing. This understanding, coupled with her own educational background, helped
McBride cultivate this crucial system – she has a Bachelor of Science in Business
from Columbia College in Missouri and a Master of Arts in Organizational Management
from the University of Phoenix. McBride is also a recent graduate of Detroit Entrepreneurship
Institute, Inc.
The GradeCheck® system allows the student to clearly understand exactly how he or
she measures up to the NCAA eligibility standards. It shows them where they excel
and where they need to improve. This system, now the core of GradeCheck®’s
services, is what gives GradeCheck® its distinct competitive advantage.
As Michigan’s leading expert on NCAA Clearinghouse requirements, McBride has
made several appearances on local media programming. She has appeared on The Hype
Squad morning show on 102.7 FM and Urban Connections Television talk show to discuss
GradeCheck®’s services for high school students. She also appeared on 1440
AM Gospel Station to explain the difficulties associated with the NCAA Clearinghouse.
GradeCheck® was also featured in Detroit Auto Scene highlighting the company’s
positive impact on the community.
Brian K Curtis
VP Business Development
bcurtis@gradecheck.net
Brian joins GradeCheck® with the goal of spearheading the growth of the company,
in terms of both subscribers and services, as well as that of the GradeCheck® brand.
Though his focus is on facilitating strategic partnerships, Brian is also involved
with creating new products and revenue streams, managing the internet and social
media marketing strategy, and the selling of digital media for GradeCheck®.
Brian has held a number of positions, as he was involved with four start-ups prior
to joining GradeCheck® that include an e-commerce website, a mobile marketing company,
an internet publishing company, and a web-based charitable fundraiser. He also spent
time (far too much, in his opinion) as a waiter in a number of restaurants. Brian
studied English and Business at Wayne State University, in Detroit.