ROCKWALL, Texas, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On July 14th, Icy Hot, an Opella Brand, and The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation announced the opening of their sixth Comebaq Court at Gloria Williams Park in Rockwall, TX as part of their combined efforts to inspire the next generation of athletes and rebuild healthy places for kids to play in underserved communities. The new Comebaq Court – unveiled by Icy Hot Squad members Shaquille O’Neal and Arike Ogunbowale – will provide members of the Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Texas with a refurbished space to play and hone their basketball skills.
Named in honor of Rockwall native Gloria Williams—a trailblazer who overcame segregation-era barriers to pursue her education and uplift her community—the park stands as a tribute to her enduring legacy. Gloria’s determination led her from working as a maid to becoming a respected supervisor, and she played a pivotal role in establishing the park that now bears her name. In July 2024, the City celebrated a grand re-opening with major upgrades, including a new playground, ADA-compliant sidewalks, picnic tables, a park sign, and a pool equipment house—ensuring the park continues to inspire and serve the next generation.
“As a lifelong athlete and proud Boys & Girls Club alum, I understand just how important it is to have a safe space to play, grow and dream,” said Shaquille O’Neal. “Bringing a refurbished court to the Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Texas is more than just a project, it’s a reminder that sports go beyond the scoreboard. They’re about community, opportunity, and the pure love of the game.”
“Northeast Texas has been my home for over six years, and I’ve been incredibly fortunate to feel the passion and support of this amazing community. That’s why I’m so proud to be a part of bringing this Comebaq Court here,” said Dallas Wings star Arike Ogunbowale. “This safe place for our kids to play, grow, and dream is a testament to what this community stands for – and everything it’s given me.”
The Rockwall Comebaq Court marks the sixth refurbished space opened by Icy Hot in partnership with The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation, giving thousands of local kids in need a welcoming place to play. Additional Comebaq Courts are located in Las Vegas, Newark, Miami, Atlanta, and Los Angeles.
“At Icy Hot, our mission goes beyond delivering powerful pain relief—we’re dedicated to creating safe, supportive spaces where dreams can take root,” said Vincent Balagat, Icy Hot Sr. Brand Director. “We’re proud to continue our partnership with The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation and the Boys & Girls Club to bring new, state-of-the-art facilities to the Northeast Texas community that will inspire the next generation of remarkable athletes to reach their full potential.”
The official court reveal, and dedication was held yesterday, Monday, July 14. The state-of-the-art updates to the court included a fully replaced surface; LED court lighting and poles; all new black poly-coated fencing surrounding both the court and adjacent pool area; new basketball poles, backboards and rims; and player benches with overhead canopies.
To mark the opening of the new court, Arike’s Team Icy and Shaq’s Team Hot competed in a fiery 5v5 game, in front of the Rockwall community. Shaquille and Arike were joined by local government officials, as well as representatives from Icy Hot, The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation, and Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Texas.
“At the Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeast Texas, we are passionate about helping the next generation grow and succeed both on and off the court,” said Jenny Krueger, Chief Executive Officer of Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Texas. “Thanks to Icy Hot and The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation, we’re able to offer another safe space for members of our community to rise, compete, and grow with purpose.”
“The City of Rockwall is thrilled to welcome a Comebaq Court to Gloria Williams Park,” said Mayor Pro Tem Mark Moeller. “We’re so thankful to Icy Hot, The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation and Boys & Girls Club for their work which will provide our community with an amazing space for our young neighbors to stay engaged and healthy.”
Beyond Northeast Texas, plans for additional Comebaq Courts continue. Comebaq Courts embody making an impact to communities through purpose-led work, reinforcing Opella Consumer Healthcare North America’s B Corp Certification in recognition of environmental and social achievements, centered around better self-care for healthier people and a healthier planet.
For more details on Comebaq Courts, please visit Icy Hot.
About Icy Hot®: One of America’s top topical pain relief brands, Icy Hot® makes powerful over-the-counter pain relief products that fuel your comeback from pain. Its extensive line of products provides powerful, fast-acting relief to give you targeted relief. Ice Works Fast, Heat Makes it Last™. The Icy Hot brand is brought to you by Opella, which provides over-the-counter drugs such as topical analgesics, allergy medications, constipation and heartburn medications.
About Opella: Opella is the self-care challenger with the purest and third-largest portfolio in the Over-The-Counter (OTC) & Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements (VMS) market globally. Our mission is to put health in people’s hands by making self-care as simple as it should be for over half a billion consumers worldwide. At the core of this mission is our 100 brands, our 11,000-strong global team, our 13 best-in-class manufacturing sites and four specialized science and innovation development centers. Headquartered in France, Opella is the proud maker of many of North America’s most loved brands, including Allegra, Dulcolax, Icy Hot, Xyzal, Unisom and Cortizone-10. B Corp certified in multiple markets, we are active players in the journey towards healthier people and planet. Find out more about our mission at www.opella.com.
About The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation: The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation creates pathways for underserved youth, helping them achieve their full potential. Established in 2019 by the NBA Hall of Famer, television sports analyst and entrepreneur Shaquille O’Neal, the Foundation works to instill hope and bring about change in communities, collectively shaping a brighter future for our children. While primarily partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs and Communities in Schools, the Foundation simultaneously supports Shaquille’s other charitable endeavors, such as his annual Shaq-a-Claus holiday event and initiatives alongside his corporate partners. For more information, visit shaqfoundation.org.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Texas: Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Texas provides a safe, supportive place where kids and teens can learn, grow, and thrive after school and during the summer. Our mission is to enable all young people—especially those who need us most—to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Through academic support, character development, healthy meals, and enriching programs, we empower youth with the tools they need to succeed in school, in life, and in their communities. Every day, we’re building great futures for the next generation.
Media Contact for Icy Hot®
UEG Worldwide | Michelle Greco and Mini Le
ihcomms@uegworldwide.com
Media Contact for Opella:
Suzanne Jacobson
Suzanne.jacobson@sanofi.com
Media Contact for The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation:
Dr. Lisa Morris Hibbler
Executive Director
Phone: 702-683-5646
lisa@shaqfoundation.org
Media Contact Boys and Girls Club of Northeast Texas:
Melissa Cowser
Marketing Director
Phone: 214-616-7267
mcowser@begreatnext.org
Media Contact City of Rockwall:
Kate Sitzenstatter
Public Information Officer
Phone: 972-772-6559
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SOURCE Icy Hot
