From Cleaning to Owning: Joe Chapman's Journey to Building a Premier Sports Facility

Joe Chapman, a former Marquette basketball player and member of the 2003 Final Four team, has transformed his lifelong passion for basketball into the creation of Gateway Sports Academy in Saukville. Growing up in a tough Chicago neighborhood, Chapman started his journey by working as a janitor in his high school gym. These early experiences fueled his determination and shaped his approach to life. After a successful professional basketball career overseas, Chapman returned to Milwaukee to establish and expand an AAU program.

Gateway Sports Academy is a centerpiece of Mel's Village, a significant development project in Saukville led by Mel's Charities and Three Leaf Partners. This initiative aims to foster community growth, with the academy serving as a key facility. Mike Ansay, Chairman and CEO of Ansay & Associates, played a crucial role in bringing Chapman's vision to life. Ansay's commitment to community-building and strong values resonated with Chapman, resulting in a collaboration that turned the dream into reality.

The academy will offer advanced shooting cages, a basketball gym, and courts for pickleball and volleyball, along with other sports and wellness facilities. It is designed to host tournaments, leagues, and clinics, contributing to the local community while supporting various charitable initiatives. The gym will also be dedicated to serving high-functioning individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), aligning with the mission of Mel's Charities.

Reflecting on his journey from cleaning gyms to owning one, Chapman expresses pride in how far he has come and looks forward to the positive impact his facility will have on the community. 

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