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What We’re Reading

Posted: Updated: by jbelinkie

May 2023

Every day, athletes all over the world are doing incredible work in their communities by giving back, creating opportunities for those less fortunate, and making connections that will last a lifetime. Here are six articles the AFH team read throughout the month of May that you could have missed.

“At this point my priority is my mental well-being and taking a break for some time. I’ve worked as hard as I could to push through it.”

Read the full article at ESPN.com

“An avid cross country and track runner whose 4×400-meter relay team won at Nike Indoor Nationals this winter, Collin Maher knew he wanted to give back to his community with a running-related project.”

Read the full article on RunnersWorld.com

“What better way to help than go into a community that I was already part of — the Boys & Girls Club.”

Read the full article at Inquirer.com

“I live it every single day. It shouldn’t be just a one-day thing. We should celebrate accessibility and global awareness every single day.”

Read the full article on olympics.nbcsports.com

“Their families had trouble paying the bills, so we started out thinking, ‘Well, let’s see how many we can pay.’ There were about 20 of them, and we just couldn’t decide, so we basically paid for 20 families.”

Read the full article on profootballnetwork.com

“You want to have a positive impact on people’s lives. That’s the reason why we have the foundation: to try to impact as many people as we can.”

Read the full article on Boardroom.tv

AFH University Service Recognition

Posted: Updated: by jbelinkie

April Student-Athlete & Team of the Month

Each month we ask our AFH University campus liaisons for nominations of student-athletes and teams who excelled in service. Through our monthly nominations, we are able to acknowledge all of the good our student-athletes and teams are doing in their communities.

Student-Athlete of the Month

Our April Student-Athlete of the Month is Zion Walters from Clark Atlanta University. Zion is a leader in service on her team with a passion for kids. She is always eager to be involved in service projects in the Atlanta community and will often help find new opportunities for her and her teammates.

“Zion has been going into the Harland Boys and Girls Club twice a week for the last couple of weeks and will be doing so until the school year ends in May. Every Monday she puts on a dance clinic for the group and every Wednesday she puts on a basketball clinic for the kids.

She has been incredibly proactive about finding volunteer opportunities in the Atlanta community and is incredibly passionate about spreading her love of basketball and dance to the children at the club.”

Team of the Month

The April Team of the Month is none other than the Davidson football team. Together the team has positively impacted their community in North Carolina through dedicated weekly service visits and fundraising efforts.

“The Davidson Football team has been hard at work on the field and in the community. They have been active weekly volunteers at the Ada Jenkins Center, playing with the children after school and keeping them company.

On April 21st they had their annual Lift for Life event where they raise money and awareness for rare disease research. It is an event that the entire team participates in and they have so far raised over $9,000.”

We are so proud of all of our student-athletes who continue to go above and beyond the call of service in their communities.

What We’re Reading

Posted: Updated: by jbelinkie

Week of April 3, 2023

Every day, athletes all over the world are doing incredible work in their communities by giving back, creating opportunities for those less fortunate, and making connections that will last a lifetime. Here are four articles the AFH team has read that you may have missed.

“After the confetti fell this year in Houston and Dallas, the champions received their trophies and the madness of March concluded, but here are some ways the NCAA has left the host cities better than they were before. “

Read the full article on NCAA.org.

“If we truly wish to meet the realities of our current moment and provide the experience all students need to thrive, centering whole-student well-being in the campus experience is foundational.”

Read the full article at Inquirer.com.

“It’s OK to ask for help. It’s OK to feel. It’s OK to be emotional. We’re all men, but we have to be OK with having feelings.”

Read the full article at NBCsports.com.

“Countless times Black women are being scrutinized for their talents. Fast forward to today, that same treatment is being placed upon our girls. While this conversation is ongoing, girls like Angel Reese and Flau’jae Johnson are unapologetically speaking up for themselves and refusing to conform to historical societal torture.”

Read the full article at GirlsUnited.com.

AFH University Service Recognition

Posted: Updated: by jbelinkie

Each month we ask our AFH University campus liaisons for nominations of student-athletes and teams who excelled in service. Through our monthly nominations, we are able to acknowledge all of the good our student-athletes and teams are doing in their communities.

“I’d just like to put it out there that I just witnessed the most amazing bowling tournament ever. Every person I worked with could beat me in a bowling game if I tried to play them. It was a fun and heartwarming experience and I’d love to do it again.” – Joshua Griffin, Southern Football

Joshua Griffin, Southern Football

Student-Athlete of the Month

Our March Student-Athlete of the Month is Joshua Griffin from Southern University. Joshua is a leader in service on his team and in the community. He is always eager to be involved in service projects in any capacity he can, often being one of the first to volunteer when an opportunity arises.

“Joshua Griffin is a sports philanthropy certificate program participant that hit the ground running with service. In our first session, he was engaged and excited to share his passion for youth and the community.

Just this month, he read books to classes for Read Across America Day and volunteered for the Special Olympics State Bowling Tournament.”

Team of the Month

The March Team of the Month was none other than the LSU volleyball team. Together the team is making a positive impact in their community through service projects with local organizations.

“LSU Volleyball volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store sorting through and organizing donated items which enhanced the processing and ultimate sale of donated items.

St. Vincent de Paul thrift store is a place where customers can purchase items at bargain prices and all revenues generated are put back into programs supporting those in need.”

We are so proud of all of our student-athletes and teams who continue to go above and beyond the call of service in their communities.

What We’re Reading

Posted: Updated: by jbelinkie

Week of March 6, 2023

Every day, athletes all over the world are doing incredible work in their communities by giving back, creating opportunities for those less fortunate and making connections that will last a lifetime. Here are five articles the AFH team has read this week that you may have missed.

“Whether it is issues related to representation, visibility, support or salaries, imbalances still exist between men and women in society. And sport is no exception.”

Read the full article on Olympics.com.

“Joining the Para alpine skiing circuit nine years ago, Saori Ishii quickly got used to being one of a few female coaches at competitions. At team captain meetings held a day before major races, she would sometimes be the only one in the room.”

Read the full article on Paralympics.org.

“Ultimately, the hope is that Nala will boost the safe participation of women in all facets of athletics, increasing representation when it comes to things like coaches and agents.”

Read the full article in BBC Sport.

“While Pipper and Rjumina’s message is that any woman can be as strong as the strongest Para powerlifter, they also want women to know that shedding a few tears is perfectly fine too – especially if you are watching your daughter bench press her personal best.”

Read the full article on Paralympic.org.

“To celebrate International Women’s Day, Hockey Canada has collaborated with some of the most successful women in the game to answer one question: Why is it important to see women in influential positions in the game?”

Read the full article on Hockeycanada.ca.

Athletes In Action

Posted: Updated: by jbelinkie

February 2023 AFH Fit Recap

Each month AFH Athletes are connected to schools and after-school programs where they teach the next generation critical leadership skills through our C.H.A.M.P.S Curriculum and the importance of living an active lifestyle during an in-person or vritual visit.

February’s word of the month was mindfulness. Our AFH Fit partners across the country learned how to be aware of their thoughts, feelings, and the people around them.

Our student-athletes and professional athletes had so much fun this month educating and engaing with their classes!

Los Amigos Elementary School

A team of six student-athletes led by Brandon Bounds from the University of Arizona Track and Field team visited Los Amigos Elementary School for an in-person AFH Fit Visit! The visit included an interactive discussion about courage as well as games and finished with a Q&A session with the student-athlete role models.

Get Active With Us!

Our AFH Fit videos are free to everyone to view! This month, hear from Denver Broncos Dalton Risner and professional beach volleyball player Katie Dickens on the importance of mindfulness and take part in our C.H.A.M.P.S. Challenge at the end of each video.

AFH Fit Mindfulness Video #1: Click Here

AFH Fit Mindfulness Video #2: Click Here

Palm Beach County Schools

As a part of our new AFH Fit pilot program that explores AFH Fit visits with an entire school district at a time, Palm Beach County Schools (PBCS) word of the month was accountability.

During February, our AFH Fit partners in the PBCS district learned how to be accountable for your words and actions.

Our PBCS had a great virtual visit with NFL Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone. Alex spoke to the kids about being accountable for what they say and do, using personal examples of accountability that has allowed Alex to play football at the professional level.

Get Active With Us!

Our AFH Fit videos are free to everyone to view! This month, hear from former Team USA softball player Monica Abbott on the importance of accountability and take part in our C.H.A.M.P.S. Challenge at the end of the video.

AFH Fit Accountability Video #1: Click Here