AFH University Spring 2024 Roundup

Developed in 2013, our AFH University program helps college athletes explore leadership, life skill development, advocacy, their role in the community, and how to discover their philanthropic passions. 

This spring our student-athletes combined their efforts to create lasting positive change in their communities!

Athletes from Davidson College, Georgetown, Southern University, Howard, and LSU visited elementary schools, children’s hospitals, miracle leagues, and more! Read about all of their springtime service efforts below.

Davidson College

Continuing The Mission

The women of the Davidson field hockey team went to Continuing the Mission, which is a comprehensive assistance for veterans providing assistance dogs and support. 

Since 2023, the team has been going each week to assist with letting the dogs out, playing with them, and helping them socialize before they get adopted out to veterans.

Ada Jenkins Center

This spring, members of the Davidson football team visited the Ada Jenkins Center during enrichment time to put on CHAMPS lessons.

Additionally, Rosie Deegan of the Davidson women’s basketball team visited the Ada Jenkins Center to mentor students at the club.

Mental Health U

In Episode 2 of Mental Health U, Sara Keane, Assistant Director of AFH University at Athletes for Hope, moderates a conversation surrounding women’s mental health in the student-athlete space.

Joined by Rosie Deegan of Davidson College women’s basketball and Helen Feldmeth of Georgetown women’s rowing the three discuss the effects of social media on student-athlete mental health, how to use your experience as an athlete to empower other women, the fulfillment they have found in giving back and more!

Watch Mental Health U Episode 2: Women’s History Month here.

Georgetown

CHAMPS Program

Members of the Georgetown women’s rowing made continuous visits to HD Cooke Elementary where they reinforced the importance of physical activity and children’s mental wellness through CHAMPS lessons.

During their visits this spring, children learned how to foster a positive mindset as the student-athletes encouraged them to uplift themselves and their classmates even when it may be hard to do.

Southern University

Progress Elementary

This spring, members of the Southern tennis and track & field teams visited Progress Elementary School where they volunteered with the kindergarten PE class.

Both the student-athletes and the children had so much fun during this visit. From learning fun, new ways to stay active and the importance of teamwork, there was no shortage of smiles throughout the day.

Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital

Every other week different student-athletes from various Southern University teams spend their time at OLOL Children’s Hospital. Through these frequent visits, the student-athletes can create meaningful connections that the patients can look forward to each week!

During their latest visit, members of the Southern soccer and golf teams visited OLOL Children’s Hospital to help host trivia in the activities room and share a few smiles with patients who were able to leave their rooms.

Howard University

CHAMPS Program

This spring, members of the Howard women’s lacrosse team visited DCPCS Brightwood to reinforce the importance of physical activity and children’s mental wellness through a CHAMPS lesson for 2nd and 4th graders at the school.

Louisiana State University (LSU)

Read Across America

Read Across America is the nation’s largest celebration of reading. This year-round program focuses on motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships, and reading resources that are about everyone, for everyone.

To celebrate Read Across America Day, members of the LSU football team visited Cedarcrest Southmoor in Baton Rouge where they read their favorite children’s books to elementary classes.

Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital

Every other week different student-athletes from various LSU teams spend their time at OLOL Children’s Hospital. Through these frequent visits, the student-athletes can create meaningful connections that the patients can look forward to each week!

Members of the LSU baseball team visited OLOL Children’s Hospital where they surprised patients with in-room visits, handed out and autographed baseballs and ended their trip by hosting trivia in the activities room. A special shoutout to LSU baseball players Griffin Herring, Brady Neal, Chase Shores and Jared Jones who took time out of their busy spring season prep to spread smiles!

Additionally, members of the LSU track and field team visited OLOL Children’s Hospital where they played trivia and spent time with hanging out with children at the hospital in the activities room.

The Miracle League of Louisiana

The Miracle League of Louisiana is a registered non-profit organization that gives children with any type of disability or special needs the opportunity to play baseball as part of a team and an organized league.

Members of the LSU track and field team volunteered at the Miracle League where they were “buddies” to the players. Miracle League Buddies are assigned a player for each game. The buddy is there to protect the player from balls, assist the player in batting and running the bases (if needed), and to be a friend on and off the field!

With the spring 2024 semester nearing its end, we are grateful for our AFH University student-athletes who are continuing to make an impact in their communities each day. It is the relationships formed during these service opportunities that provide the greatest impact and allow our student-athletes to grow in their leadership and philanthropic skills.