Celebrating a decade of 'Balling for Destin' as organization transitions to W.I.S.E Way

In June 2015, Mariel Wise and his friends gathered to play 7-on-7 football in memory of his brother, Destin, who passed away in a car accident. For the next seven years, the middle of June became a celebration of life, football and Wise's hometown.

"We grew up in Sumter, and a going narrative growing up was, 'Man, I gotta get out of Sumter,'" Wise said. "People would talk about successful folks from Sumter, but we rarely saw them come back. That bothered us growing up, and we made a promise. 'When we get in a position to give back, we're going to change that.'

WeBall4Destin grew into a massive 7-on-7 tournament, battling through COVID-19 to host an event in 2020. Over those seven years, they awarded six Destin Wise Scholarships to graduating seniors looking to further their education. In 2023, the event became a youth football camp with Destin's name still in the forefront. The following year, Wise lost his father, Dennis O'Neal Wise, and officially changed his last name from Cooper to Wise in his memory. With another heavy loss, Wise decided it was the perfect time to see the tournament come to an end.

"The truth is, Sumter today isn't the same as it was when we started," Wise said. "We're seeing more young people lead, give back and become the change they want to see. We're seeing the community from schools to local orgs engage in ways they hadn't before. That spark we hoped to light is now a flame. And that was always the goal. To inspire.

"So this year, we didn't host the tournament or award the scholarship not because we don't care, but because the mission feels complete. Seven years, the number of completion, feels right. We 'balled for Destin' in a way that honored his memory and gave life to something bigger than ourselves. And now, it's time to let my brother rest."

This summer, WeBall4Destin was officially retired, as the foundation transitions to W.I.S.E Way. The acronym stands for Wellness, Inspiration, Sports and Engineering. Wise, who now lives in Dallas, Texas, supports both his hometown and his current city with the newly branded foundation.

"I'm in a new and fulfilling season of life. I'm a husband to my amazing wife, Delyssa Wise, and a proud father to our son, Destin O'Neal Wise. I've done well managing what I earned from football and am now a real estate investor. My wife and I are gearing up to launch our own real estate company, so I'll be focused on building that with her," Wise said. "I've also decided to activate my civil engineering degree and am currently working toward becoming a licensed professional engineer. That's my new NFL, a new field, but still built on discipline, purpose and long-term impact. At the same time, I'll always stay connected to giving back. The #WeBall4Destin Foundation has evolved into W.I.S.E Way, offering programs in Wellness, Inspiration, Sports and Engineering, all grounded in community and purpose, especially in Sumter.

"Lastly, after losing my father to cancer two years ago, I changed my last name to Wise in his honor. It was a promise I made to him and one I was proud to keep. Some still call me 'Coop,' which is totally fine, but Wise is the name that now carries both my family's legacy and my future."

SCHOLARSHIP

Starting with the second year of the tournament, Wise awarded a scholarship during each year of the 7-on-7 tournament. In total, they awarded $10,000 in scholarships.

"Every bit of the events, the outreach, the scholarships was about keeping Destin's name and spirit alive through action," Wise said. "Over the course of seven years, we hosted the Do It BIG 7on7 Tournament, along with events for Black History Month, back-to-school drives, holiday giveaways, youth sports camps and more. In all, we reached and served over 10,000 people."

FAVORITE MEMORIES

Wise took something away from every rendition of the event, but he'll hold some memories just a little tighter.

- "There are so many meaningful memories, but one that stands out is the year I got baptized right before the tournament. That was a life-changing moment for me, and to experience it surrounded by my community made it even more powerful."

- "Rashaud Graham, who always opened the tournament with prayer and a message, played a huge role in my spiritual growth during that time. His words in those early years really shaped the heart of the event. It was never just about football; it was about purpose, faith and healing."

- "Another great memory was the year we added the powder puff tournament. The energy that day was unforgettable, the competition, the laughter and the way the whole community came together made it really special."

- "But above all, the most meaningful part has been watching this event grow into something that truly honored my brother's legacy. Seeing kids smiling at camps, families supported during the holidays and students receiving scholarships in Destin's name. Those moments are what I'll cherish forever."

THANKING SUMTER

Wise felt like he could transition away from the event because so many other local stars picked up the torch from the former NFL and CFL defensive back. While there were too many names to list, Wise noted the work of Sterling Ta'Bon, who started his Diamond-Stackz Classic basketball tournament the same year as his annual 7-on-7 tournament kicked off. Other organizations like Quinton Anderson's Carolina Rams and Ivan Sanders' 803 United have used football to build the youth. Wise has also seen young athletes like former Sumter High standouts Justus and Kirkland Boone, Marcus Lane, O'Donnell Fortune, Eric Watts, Pressley Harvin III and so many others feeding back into the generation behind them.

The Sumter native feels like his hometown is in good hands, though he'll still remain involved. After a decade of trying to support Sumter, he thanks Sumter for supporting the Wise family and organization.

"I'm grateful beyond words for the love and support this community has shown us over the years," he said. "What began as a way to cope with a deep loss has turned into something meaningful, lasting and full of hope. Thank you, Sumter."