HOFFMAN ESTATES, Illinois (December 19, 2011) — Below is an excerpt of an article written by Illinois Real Estate Journal Editor Mark Thomton. Click here to read the full story.

Before the film “The Blind Side” became a box office hit and its story was familiar to millions, Jim Leopardo, founder and CEO of Hoffman Estates-based Leopardo Cos., was involved in a similar story that netted almost identical results.

Not everyone has a Hollywood-caliber story in their background, but Leopardo can make the claim through his experience with a young man named Otis Hudson.

Leopardo has always been supportive of youth sporting programs as a financial sponsor and a volunteer.

“In my early days, sports were my outlet,” said Leopardo, who played football at Western Illinois University. “They gave me confidence.”

Through his work with the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball program Leopardo met Hudson, a young man from the west side of Chicago with immense athletic talents, but limited outlets to display them in the city’s notoriously rough area. Hudson spent as much time trying to avoid gangs as he did honing his athletic abilities.

The Leopardo family would eventually end up being a champion for his transition to a brighter future. Read the full story…

Tags: Jim Leopardo, Otis Hudson

This entry was posted on Monday, December 19th, 2011 at 8:32 am and is filed under General Corporate.