糖心Vlog

March 5, 2024 鈥� Who says you have to choose just one passion? Certainly not Javon Cooley '23/'24M, a triple threat on the court, in the classroom, and on the runway.

It鈥檚 no secret that Javon has heart. A driven master鈥檚 student, a Division I basketball player, and a fashion entrepreneur with his own brand, Javon proves that when people pursue their passions and talents, a chain reaction of possibilities and success can follow.

Javon in the Marist weight room in McCann. Photo by Nelson Echeverria/Marist College.

He鈥檚 a model student for Marist鈥檚 distinctive educational approach that emphasizes 鈥渁nd, not or,鈥� meaning students are encouraged to explore diverse combinations of academic programs as well as student experiences and activities.

鈥淛avon represents the Marist mission; he鈥檚 enlightened, sensitive, and productive,鈥� said , Assistant Provost for Faculty Development and one of Javon鈥檚 mentors. 鈥淗e鈥檚 also a great designer! I told him when I met him that he could balance basketball, pursue his aspirations to be a fashion designer, AND be an excellent student 鈥� and he鈥檚 done just that.鈥�

From Student to Entrepreneur

Javon (bottom right) and friends modeling Chain Reaction apparel in the MakerLab at Marist Steel Plant. Photo courtesy of Javon Cooley.

A first-generation college student from the Midwest, who received his Marist undergraduate degree in only three years, Javon majored in business administration with a concentration in marketing and a minor in fashion merchandising. He鈥檚 now pursuing a master鈥檚 degree in marketing to help grow his clothing brand Chain Reaction, which Javon started in 2021 on his computer in his dorm room in Champagnat Hall.

鈥淐hain Reaction is about embracing who you are and sharing your gift with the world,鈥� said Javon. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 need to let self-doubt or the thoughts of others stop us from using our gifts. I want Chain Reaction to inspire others to break barriers and feel more comfortable and secure about pursuing their passions so they can create their own chain reactions.鈥�

Javon Cooley '23/'24M wearing his Chain Reaction sweatshirt from his Face Your Fears Collection in McCann. Photo by Nelson Echeverria/Marist College.

His passion to succeed is what stands out the most to Rebecca Brown, Senior Professional Lecturer of Fashion Merchandising and Javon鈥檚 fashion mentor.

鈥淛avon is hardworking, curious, so willing to learn, accepts feedback, and has great follow through,鈥� she said. "Javon has set goals for himself and will not stop until he achieves them.鈥�

Growing up on the border of Indiana and Illinois, Javon spent a lot of time in both Hammond, Indiana and Chicago, Illinois playing sports and exploring his love for design, music, and fashion. While he was surrounded by a family of creatives, he often felt different from a lot of his peers, standing out with his style and his relationship with fashion.

鈥淗ad I changed, I would have felt out of place,鈥� said Javon. 鈥淣ow I surround myself with freethinkers and open-minded people and feel embraced."

The meaning behind Chain Reaction鈥檚 last collection is rooted in Javon鈥檚 thoughts on taking on challenges.

鈥淭he fears we don鈥檛 face limit us to reaching our full potential,鈥� said Javon.

Cooley on the Court

Javon playing against Siena at McCann Arena. Photo courtesy of Marist 糖心Vlog.

On the court, Javon, who stands at 6 feet, 5 inches tall, is described by his coaches as a tenacious rebounder, a great teammate, and a consistent free-throw shooter with an impressive ability to dunk the ball. He鈥檚 third in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) for three-point shooting percentage and helps the team lead defensively as well. The Red Foxes are fifth in the National Collegiate 糖心Vlog Association (NCAA) in points per game allowed. 

鈥淢y basketball scholarship changed my life. I鈥檓 thankful to Coach (John) Dunne, the coaching staff, and my team for making my journey easier and I鈥檓 grateful for the opportunity to play basketball at the Division 1 level,鈥� said the 22-year-old.

"Javon is one of the most mature young men I have ever coached," said Dunne, Head Coach for Men鈥檚 Basketball. "Since day one, he has been laser-focused on working toward his future. He has a work ethic and a mental toughness about him that enables him to perform at a high level on the court while staying focused on his academics and clothing line. I have no doubt that he will be very successful in life."

Another highlight of Javon's student-athlete experience was when he traveled last May with a group from Marist to Los Angeles to attend the There, he got the opportunity to connect with current and former student-athletes from other universities around the country to share experiences and support one another.

鈥淚 keep putting one foot in front of the other and stay grounded because I know where I want to go.鈥� he said.

Walking the Walk

Javon modeling at SNR 37. Photo courtesy of Daniel Parker Photography.

Outside of his already full schedule of classwork, basketball, and building his business, Javon has taken on other activities at Marist like modeling in the Silver Needle Runway, Marist鈥檚 annual fully student-run fashion show.

鈥淚t felt great to be in the show twice already and I hope to do it again this year. While it can be a bit nerve-wracking before going on the runway, it鈥檚 fun and meaningful to be able to help represent the story the student designers want to tell with their collection.鈥�

Javon advises, "Make the most out of every opportunity at Marist and don鈥檛 leave anything on the table."

Learn More About Chain Reaction
From to to a , Chain Reaction apparel can be found on or at MPorium, Marist鈥檚 student-run entrepreneurial boutique in the Steel Plant fashion building. You can also follow Chain Reaction on