Southern Soccer Archives - Athletes for Hope

Leading with Purpose: AFH U Awards is Back! Meet the September 2026 Winners.

Posted: September 18, 2026 Updated: September 18, 2026 by Jasmine Moore

The new school year is underway — and the AFH University community is already showing up in a big way.

Each month, the AFH University Awards, presented by Thrivent, recognize student-athletes and teams who demonstrate that true leadership extends far beyond the field, court, or track. It’s about service. It’s about community. It’s about using your platform to make a lasting difference in the lives of others.

This month, we’re proud to celebrate two honorees who wasted no time setting the tone for the 2026 school year.

AFH U Athlete of the Month: Max Rosen | American University

When the 9/11 Day of Service arrived, Max Rosen didn’t just show up — he brought his entire athletic community with him.

As a student-athlete at American University, Max played an instrumental role in organizing AU’s participation in the 9/11 Day of Service with Horton’s Kids, rallying 116 student-athletes to give back to families in need. Together, participants assembled 120 grocery bags and 50 friendship bracelet kits, all donated to the children and families served by Horton’s Kids — ensuring that families had kitchen essentials they might otherwise go without.

But beyond the numbers, what sets Max apart is his commitment to instilling a culture of service in those around him. He didn’t just participate — he led, he inspired, and he reminded his fellow athletes that their impact reaches far beyond their sport.

That’s exactly what the AFH U Awards are all about.

AFH U Team of the Month: Southern University Soccer

From the very first weeks of the school year, Southern University Soccer made it clear that service is a core part of who they are.

The team participated in several major community initiatives across Baton Rouge, including:

Geaux Day — a field day experience for local youth hosted at LSU, bringing energy, joy, and connection to kids in the community
Volunteers In Public Schools First Day Helpers — where student-athletes visited multiple schools to welcome and support students on their very first day
AFH’s 9/11 Day of Service — helping pack meals to address food insecurity in North Baton Rouge

In a season that was just getting started, Southern University Soccer proved that championship character isn’t built only in practice — it’s built in the community.

Service as a Way of Life

What makes this month’s honorees so special isn’t just what they did — it’s how quickly they did it. From the very start of the school year, Max Rosen and Southern University Soccer chose purpose over passivity, and action over inaction.

They are a living example of what Athletes for Hope was built to celebrate: athletes who understand that their greatest impact may have nothing to do with their final score.

The AFH University Awards, presented by Thrivent, exist to shine a light on stories like these — because when student-athletes lead with service, they don’t just change their communities. They change themselves.

Want to learn more about the AFH University program and the student-athletes making a difference across the country? Visit the AFH U webpage.

AFH Athletes in Action

Posted: February 25, 2022 Updated: February 28, 2022 by kReeves

AFH University Baton Rouge

It was a busy month for our student-athletes in Baton Rouge, which isn’t a surprise based on the dedication to service they so often exude.

Fresh off of a win, Southern Softball participated in a beautification project at Belaire High School led by Mayor Sharon Weston Broome. The team reorganized the library by boxing old books and giving the library a more appealing look and feel for students.

“Thank you Southern Softball and Athletes for Hope for serving the city of Baton Rouge!”
Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston Broome

LSU and Southern Soccer facilitated a soccer clinic at LA Key Academy with over 60 elementary school children. Student-athletes led them in various stations teaching them the fundamentals of soccer and playing right alongside each other. It was a wonderful youth initiative and unity event for both campuses.

Southern University Athletics, assisted by Southern Softball player and AFH U Intern Annelise “Ace” Corona, also held a Black History Month essay contest where over 44 high school students submitted pieces highlighting Black History in Baton Rouge.

We are so proud of our AFH University Baton Rouge student-athletes for all of their hard work throughout the month and know they will continue this pattern for the rest of the year!

Southern University Athletes Give Back Through the Three O’Clock Project

Posted: August 4, 2020 Updated: August 4, 2020 by Brooke McMillan

On Friday, July 31^st Southern Soccer and Southern Volleyball volunteered at a Three O’Clock Project food distribution site, Full Gospel United Pentecostal in North Baton Rouge. With the commitment to keeping kids physically active through our service, student athletes distributed 120 fitness items to kids sponsored by Athletes for Hope.

“Athletes for Hope athletes were truly emotionally invested in what we’re doing to help feed the community and spread a little hope. We are so happy to have them. They did a great job passing out balls to the kids while we distributed meals. It was a wonderful experience. Thank you so much!”- Joshua Michael Selser, Three O’Clock Project.

The mission of Three O’Clock Project is to provide meals and nutrition education for at-risk students after school. In response to the COVID19 shutdown, Three O’Clock Project reached beyond their mission of only after school and began delivering weekly meals to ensure kids and the community were supported during the school shut downs and summer months.

“I loved giving back to my community of Baton Rouge. I know how it’s been tough for families to work right now and to supply food for their family. Being able to give them supplies that they need and seeing people be so grateful and smiling was the highlight of my day, especially giving out balls for kids to encourage physical activity at home. I’m glad SU soccer & Volleyball were able to assist with making a huge impact on more than 100 children’s lives!” – Skylar Randall, Southern Soccer

LSU and Southern University Soccer teams Join Forces

Posted: March 30, 2018 by bsanchez

Athletes for Hope University teams continue to show their passion by getting involved in their local communities. This past week, LSU and Southern Soccer teams participated in TopSoccer’s annual jamboree on March 10th, at Burbank Soccer Complex in Baton Rouge, LA. TOPSoccer is a community based training and team placement program for athletes with disabilities organized by the Baton Rouge Soccer Club.

Soccer players from LSU and Southern had the opportunity to assist TopSoccer participants throughout the jamboree including leading drills and cheering them on after plays. Along with our AFH U teams, this event was supported by BREC, The Louisiana Marathon, Raising Cane’s, St. Lillian Academy, Families Helping Families of Greater Baton Rouge, and The Arc.