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2024 AFH University End of Year Recognition

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2024 AFH University End of Year Recognition

Posted: Updated: by kReeves

For AFH University, the culmination of the academic year isn’t just marked by final exams and graduation ceremonies. It’s a time to honor the dedication, skill, and spirit of our student-athletes, coaches, and valued community partners who have consistently come together to make their communities stronger over the last year.

In April, we were proud to host two events to recognize these groups in the Baton Rouge and the Greater Washington, D.C. Area communities! Check out the recaps below and join us in congratulating each campus in all of their amazing work this year.

Keep an eye out for our AFH University National Student-Athlete & Team of the Year Awards voting campaign in early June!

Teams of the Year

  • LSU Men’s Tennis
  • Southern Bowling
  • Georgetown Women’s Rowing
  • Howard Women’s Lacrosse
  • Bowie State Track & Field

Student Athlete of the Year

  • Madison Martin, LSU Volleyball
  • Cailan Gatlin, Southern Soccer

Coach of the Year

  • Kerry Mulligan, Georgetown Women’s Rowing
  • Alexis Joseph, Howard Women’s Lacrosse
  • Amandji Goito, Bowie St. Track & Field

Community Partners of the Year

AFH University Baton Rouge | LSU & Southern University

On Thursday, April 11th the Athletes for Hope University team in Baton Rouge gathered to celebrate the remarkable achievements in service of student athletes from Southern University and LSU. We used the evening to shine a light on those who not only excelled on the field or court but have also demonstrated an unwavering commitment to serving the Baton Rouge community. The celebratory event was a testament to the power of sport to unite us, inspire us, and drive positive change. According to AFH Southern intern, Ashante Gatlin “Our role and impact in the community are beacons of light for fans and young aspiring athletes.”

Our Student-Athlete of the Year awardees have engaged in several initiatives throughout the 2023-2024 academic year. Cailan played a pivotal role in our inclusive 9/11 Arc events, assisting with ensuring emergency preparedness activities were informative yet fun for youth.

She dedicated numerous hours volunteering at institutions like OLOL Children’s Hospital, BR Food Bank, St. Vincent De Paul, and The Walls Project.

“Doing service in the community is super important because we should take every chance, we can to better the environment that we all live in. Receiving this reward today means a lot to me because it tells me that all of the work, I’ve put into volunteering has not gone unnoticed.”

– Cailan Gatlin, Southern Soccer

Madison Martin, LSU Volleyball team, has also been at the forefront of community service initiatives in Baton Rouge. She participated in on-campus service socials, MLK Day of Service, and A Night to Shine, among others.

“Receiving Athletes for Hope Student Athlete of the Year is such an incredible honor, as service means so much to me. Baton Rouge has become my second home, and being able to serve this wonderful community has made my time at LSU so much more meaningful. Being recognized by Athletes for Hope for what I love to do off the court is an amazing honor.”

-Madison Martin, LSU Volleyball

Our partnership with this year’s recipient of the Partner of the Year award, The Walls Project has been our most enduring collaboration to date, spanning several years of engagement with student athletes actively participating in local initiatives such as MLK Day since 2015. In 2021, we dedicated a mural in remembrance of September 11th, a tribute now displayed at Fire Station 11 on Highland Road.

AFH University Washington, D.C.-Area | Bowie State, Howard & Georgetown

On Thursday, April 25 the Athletes for Hope University team in Washington DC gathered to celebrate all the wonderful work that was done during the 2023-2024 school year.  Not only were the student-athletes of our DC schools actively involved, but the coaches also played a large role in getting involved as well.  This event was meant to celebrate the passion and commitment of the student-athletes and coaches in the DC community.

Our Teams and Coaches of the Year at each of the schools consistently engaged in service within the community.  Georgetown Women’s Rowing focused on park clean-ups in Washington DC and the surrounding area.  Their coach, Kerry Mulligan, was integral in leading the team and encouraging them to get out and volunteer.  Howard Women’s Lacrosse spent the entire spring semester putting on CHAMPS sessions at DCPCS Brightwood Campus.  The team and their coach, Alexis Joseph, went twice a week for the entire semester to spend time with the kids and team them our CHAMPS curriculum.  Bowie State Track & Field was the school’s most active team, participating in panels, workshops, and volunteer opportunities throughout the Bowie community.  They actively worked on projects supporting food insecurity by attending an MLK Day event with the Bowie State Nutrition Lounge where they packed over 1,300 meals for families in the community. 

This year’s Washington DC Community Partners of the Year showed why the work we do matters.  Grassroots Health, Bowie St. Nutrition Lounge, and DCPCS Brightwood were all steadfast partners to AFH U.  Each organization welcomed our student-athletes and encouraged them to continue coming into their programs.  We look forward to our continued work with all of them.

Athletes in Action

Posted: Updated: by Hannah Bronkema

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.

Athletes in Action

Posted: Updated: by Hannah Bronkema

AFH University February 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. 

While February came and went in a flash, our student-athletes dedicated as much time as possible to giving back to their communities in meaningful ways.

Athletes from Davidson College, Southern University, Bowie State, Georgetown, and LSU engaged in Valentine’s Day card making, various panel discussions, celebrating Black History Month and more!

Davidson College

Continuing The Mission

The women of the Davidson field hockey team spent time at Continuing the Mission, a comprehensive assistance for veterans that provides assistance dogs and support. 

Since 2023, the team has been volunteering at Continuing the Mission where they take the dogs out, play with them, and help them socialize before they get adopted out to the veterans.

Mental Health U

During Black History Month, AFH University student-athletes from Davidson College and Southern University took part in the launch of AFH’s brand new AFH University panel series titled Mental Health U.

In Episode 1: Black History Month, the student-athletes discussed the importance of speaking out about mental health and breaking the stigma of mental health in the black community.

Hear about the mental health resources the student-athletes use on and off campus, the importance of having people you can talk to, how the stigma of mental health is changing, and more here.

Southern University

Valentine’s Day Project

This year for Valentine’s Day, student-athletes at Southern University helped spread the love as they hosted a card-making station where others could come and create cards for patients at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital.

Once completed, the cards were hand-delivered to the hospital in time for Valentine’s Day where they were given to patients.

Black History Month Essay Contest

This year AFH partnered with the athletic departments at Southern University and Bowie State for our Black History Month Essay Contest. The contest asked high schoolers in their communities to share a story of an African American who has been an inspiration to them.

The winners from each community captured the power of perseverance and dedication in their essays. You can read both of the winning essays and learn more about this year’s winners here.

Bowie State

CHAMPS Program

In September 2023 Athletes for Hope revamped its AFH Fit and H.E.A.R.T. Curriculum to create the CHAMPS Program. CHAMPS brings athletes to underserved elementary school classrooms to teach them invaluable mental health and leadership skills alongside physical activity exercises. 

This February student-athletes from Bowie State SAAC visited Perrywood Elementary School to put on a CHAMPS session with the children at the school. CHAMPS participants were taken through workouts, a mental health Mindfulness activity and more!

CIAA Panel Series

Members of Bowie State SAAC had the pleasure of visiting the Under Armour Headquarters where they participated in a series of panel discussions with Deloitte CEO of Consulting Dan Helfrich where they discussed a day in the life of a student-athlete with high school students.

Photos Courtesy of Deloitte

The panelists kept the conversation light while providing insight on barriers to access of sport, adjusting to collegiate athletic life, how sports prepare you for professional work life, and more!

Georgetown

Night to Shine

Over 40 Georgetown student-athletes attended a Night to Shine in Washington DC. Night to Shine is a prom night experience for individuals 14 and older who have special needs and is sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation.

Louisiana State University (LSU)

Black History Month Movie

February is a time when AFH University student-athletes come together to celebrate, honor, and preserve Back history.

This year during Black History Month, student-athletes at LSU hosted a movie night for their campus that honored black movie directors. Eventgoers enjoyed a myriad of movies and sparked up conversations about the contributions of the Black community to film and television.

Spring is just around the corner for our student-athletes and we cannot wait to see how they will positively impact their communities!

Athletes in Action

Posted: Updated: by Hannah Bronkema

AFH University January 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. 

As 2024 began, our student-athletes wasted no time getting back into service projects throughout their communities.

Athletes from Georgetown, Southern University and LSU engaged in community beautification projects, served on MLK Day, and more!

Georgetown

Keep Austin Beautiful

The Georgetown women’s rowing team visited Austin the first week of January and jumped right in to help with a beautification project.

They supported a Keep Austin Beautiful project and took kayaks out with the Austin Rowing Club, as well as engaged in picking up trash and other items along the waterfront. Despite visiting another state for training, they continued their dedication to service and community.

Martha’s Table

On January 15, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, student-athletes at Georgetown University were one of the many AFH University campuses who volunteered to honor the life and legacy of Dr.King.

Student-athletes collected pantry items for their on-campus food pantry and participated in a pop-up market on MLK Jr. Avenue hosted by Martha’s Table in collaboration with the Annual MLK Day of Service Parade in Downtown, D.C.

Southern University

The Walls Project

As a part of MLK Day 2024, Southern baseball and Southern soccer participated in a three-part community service project. This year’s project was focused on beautifying the Eden Park neighborhood. Service zones consisted of revitalizing a basketball court, painting houses and murals to cleaning up blight along the streets. 

Southern baseball facilitated clean-up along the streets of the Gus Young Neighborhood while Southern soccer assisted with a beautification project at Eden Park by painting a mural on a vacant building.

On MLK Day, I got a chance to give back to the community. It is my duty as a Southern Jag and a student athlete to take opportunities to serve on such a monumental day. My teammates and I walked the streets of Baton Rouge by the MLK Center picking up trash. It always feels good giving back and I plan to continue helping every chance I get.

Qunicy Smith, Southern Baseball

Louisiana State University (LSU)

Girls On The Run

During MLK Day 2024, a group of LSU student-athletes and athletic administration members were able to build program bags designed to help young girls who are participating with Girls On The Run, a nonprofit organization that is designed to be a mentoring program and a running club that is training for a 5k.

I had the chance of facilitating our volunteers to pack running kits for elementary aged girls that are a part of the Girls On The Run program. As a female athlete, I believe that it is important to build the future generation so that they to can feel the same sense of achievement that I feel. Through this volunteer opportunity, I hope that the girls feel the care and love that their community has for them.

Shani’a Bellamy, LSU Track & Field

Empower 225: Dream Center

During MLK Day 2024, LSU student-athletes were also able to give back to the Baton Rouge area through a field day.

Volunteers facilitated a field day with Empower225: Dream Center, a program in the Baton Rouge area that aims to empower the youth in the area who are at risk of homelessness and dependency. 

It was great being able to hang out with the kids and see them having fun and smiling. I enjoyed being able to speak with some of them and give some words of encouragement.

Morgan Smalls, LSU Track & Field

As we enter into another year of AFH University, we are excited to watch all of our campuses engage their communities through various service projects throughout the year. We are so proud of all of our student-athletes whose continued dedication to positively impacting their communities is changing the world!

Athletes In Action

Posted: Updated: by Hannah Bronkema

Student-Athletes Serve Up Joy In Baton Rouge

Written by: Kenya Warren-Hollins, MPA, Program Manager, AFH University

For our AFH University student-athletes, the weeks before Thanksgiving are often met with studying for finals, trips back home, and winter workouts. Amidst all of the hustle and bustle, something our Baton Rouge campuses look forward to each year is their week-long service project Baton Rouge Serves With Purpose.

During the second annual service project, our Baton Rouge student-athletes focused on tackling the disparities of food insecurity by volunteering at various community organizations that routinely provide food, warmth, and friendship to those less fortunate.

Thursday, November 9

Southern Bowling and Southern Soccer kicked off our AFH Baton Rouge Serves With Purpose initiative at Baton Rouge Food Bank. Student-athletes checked expiration dates, sorted, and packaged food boxes for families ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

The Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank is a nonprofit organization that solicits, procures, inventories, and warehouses donated food and other products. This food is then distributed to a variety of community agencies such as pantries, meal sites, homes, shelters, and soup kitchens that serve the people in need.

Today I helped Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank package food to help feed over 600 families. I served today in hope to give families better access to food and to give back to a community I am grateful to be able to support myself in.

Gia Johnson, Southern Soccer

Tuesday, November 14

During the second day of Baton Rouge Serves With Purpose, Southern Baseball contributed to closing the food insecurity gap in Baton Rouge. They assisted with the Metro Council District 6 Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway hosted by Councilman Cleve Dunn.

After passing out turkeys to families in need, they continued their day of service at St. Vincent de Paul where they served over 100 dining room guests in need of a hot meal.

It’s not only about strikeouts and home runs. It’s about giving back and serving in the community

Coach Crenshaw, Southern Baseball

Thursday, November 16

Southern Bowling visited Louisiana Key Academy after going 8-0 in competition at the Sonic Boom Invitational. They led students through stretches, warm-up exercises, and bowling techniques. To close out their field day, students were able to put their skills to use with a game!

On the same day, Southern Soccer volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul’s annual donation drive held at Hi Nabor grocery store. Student-athletes assisted with collecting donations and educating grocery shoppers about the special event’s cause with some shoppers donating cash on the spot. At the end of their volunteer time, the student-athletes collected over $200 and baskets full of items for the food drive. 

Today a couple of my teammates joined me in asking for donations for St. Vincent de Paul’s annual food drive. It brought me great joy to be able to help because I have experienced both sides of the cause, receiving and giving. We accepted monetary donations as well as items requested by St.Vincent de Paul. One family even donated a hundred dollar bill! It was amazing to experience the compassion that comes with doing this type of service

Ashanté Gatlin, SU Women’s Soccer

Friday, November 17

To close out our week-long service event, LSU Beach Volleyball players and coaches visited Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital to spend time with youth who will be spending their holidays in the hospital. There was no shortage of joy as our student-athletes were just as excited as the patients to visit rooms and read books during story time!

Volunteering at the children’s hospital was a very fulfilling experience. The kiddos were so engaging and full of giggles!

Gabi Bailey, LSU Beach Volleyball

The holiday season is a time when we can reflect on all that we are grateful for and this year our student-athletes haven’t stopped saying how grateful they are to be able to give back to their communities. Our student-athletes are already looking forward to our third annual Baton Rouge Serves With Purpose event, and until then, they are looking forward to positively impacting their community at the start of the new year.

AFH Supports APA Foundation’s “Where We Play” Mental Health Event in Baton Rouge

Posted: Updated: by Hannah Bronkema

On November 11, 2023, the American Psychiatric Association Foundation (APAF) brought its inaugural Mental Health: Where We Play event to Baton Rouge.

The APAF is the philanthropic and educational arm of the American Psychiatric Association. The Foundation promotes awareness of mental illnesses and the effectiveness of treatment, the importance of early intervention, access to care, and the need for high-quality services and treatment through a combination of public and professional education, research, research training, grants, and awards.

The event was an extension of their ongoing Mental Health Care Works campaign that raises awareness around the signs and symptoms of mental health disorders, showcases the efficacy of seeking help, and encourages individuals to start conversations and take action.

Photo of AFH staff, AFH student-athletes, APAF members, and others who attended the 'Where We Play' event.

Athletes for Hope staff and AFH student-athletes attended the event held at The Country Club of Louisiana for a luncheon that brought together doctors, mental health professionals, coaches, and collegiate athletes to discuss and raise awareness of the unique mental health challenges experienced by athletes.

Participants spent time discussing athlete mental health topics including performance anxiety, coming back after an injury, the impact of social media, burnout, and more. The conversations were authentic and honest, showing the human side of mental health challenges that even the most accomplished athletes face.

AFH Athletes Deja Griffin of Southern soccer, Ali Newland of LSU softball, LSU beach volleyball coach Katie Dickens, and Janice Miller, mental health advocate and mother of Arlana Miller all took turns speaking on athlete-specific mental health experiences.

Deja Griffin gave details about her freshman year injury which caused her to sit out from two years of playing and how it impacted her mental health as well as her motivation to continue school. Ali Newland shared her insight on the state of youth sports and how the “pay to play” mantra has limited sport access for disadvantaged youth.

Photo of Deja Griffin (right) and Ali Newland (left).

“There has always been conversations about mental health. The difference is people willing to listen.”

Dejas Griffin, Southern Soccer

The event concluded with Louisiana State Senator Cleo Fields stating that he felt motivated to do more in the mental health space, with a goal of adding additional mental health counselors in Louisiana colleges beyond LSU.

We are proud of our student-athletes who continue to engage in difficult conversations, knowing that their lived experiences as collegiate athletes can help to shape the next generations and we are thankful to our mental health partner, APAF, for giving them a space to share their stories.