About Our Team
Our Mission Statement
“What Just Happened Sports empowers women to “stay in the game” through helping them acquire a better understanding of sports through online or in person classes and experiential events, while building a membership that is fun, inspiring, smart and supportive.”
– Melissa Anthony
Melissa Anthony
Founder and CEO (Chief Empowerment Officer) of What Just Happened Sports
Melissa Anthony hails from Roanoke, Virginia. Upon graduating from the University of Virginia, she moved to Atlanta and has spent over 20 years in Corporate Account Management and Territory Management, building relationships with and representing highly recognizable, worldwide brands.
In 2006 she launched Tennis Kids and Teens, Inc., a tennis instruction company focused on school programs with an emphasis on academics, conditioning and supporting the entire person. A couple of years later, she worked with the support of the USTA to form Double Aces, a Non Profit after school tennis program that introduced tennis to hundred of students in Fulton County, Georgia. Her creative tennis programs have been featured in local Atlanta tennis magazines and websites. With the help of volunteers, Melissa has organized and hosted numerous tennis tournament fundraisers benefiting CURE Childhood Cancer, The Multiple Sclerosis Center of Atlanta and Disabled American Veterans.
In early 2014, Melissa founded What Just Happened Sports to empower women to acquire a better understanding of sports, as a result of several conversations and interviews she had in the workplace. She learned from mentoring meetings that high powered women, those who are leaders, those who got promoted the most, and those in the board room, maintained up to date knowledge on current events and sports. She also knew that sports knowledge enhanced personal relationships. Many of her trainings and events include pro athletes and sports personalities thereby increasing interest across the board.
In the summer of 2020, Melissa and Nicole Watson formed Going Pro to introduce students to the six million careers in professional sports. This exciting program provides live virtual classes allowing students to engage with sports executives and staff members, thus exposing them to job possibilities, many of which they may not have been aware.
When not working on events for What Just Happened Sports or Going Pro, she plays tennis and enjoys reading and gardening. Meanwhile she cheers for the Virginia Cavaliers (her alma mater) along with all of Atlanta’s professional sports teams.
Nicole Watson
Chief Marketing Officer
The award-winning sports journalist and dedicated communications instructor has over 25 years of experience in marketing, project management, and community engagement. Nicole is a sought-after educational speaker and develops programming for many schools and organizations around the country.
LuLu - #lulusecurity
CSO - Chief Security/Squirrel Officer
Coming in at 5.7 lbs., our CSO, Lulu, patrols the office area on regular intervals leveraging heavy surveillance tactics. During her breaks she enjoys treats, napping, and chasing balls.
Lulu provides her opinions on our Instagram page every Wednesday - woof!
