At Athletes for Hope, we believe the influence of athletes extends far beyond competition. Through Athletes for Hope University (AFH U), student-athletes across the country are using their time, talent, and platform to create meaningful change in their communities.
Each month, the AFH U Awards recognize athletes who exemplify leadership through service. This month, we are proud to celebrate two incredible examples of student-athletes making an impact both on and off the field: Anna Gill of Georgetown Field Hockey and the Howard University Men’s and Women’s Track & Field team.
Anna Gill — Georgetown Field Hockey
Leadership comes naturally to Anna Gill — and her community feels it every month.
As a standout member of the Georgetown Field Hockey team, Anna has made service a cornerstone of her time as a student-athlete. She has singlehandedly organized monthly visits to a local elementary school through the CHAMPS program, bringing Athletes for Hope’s curriculum to life for young students eager for guidance and inspiration.
But Anna’s impact doesn’t stop there. She has rallied student-athletes from across Georgetown’s campus to come together in support of the Special Olympics — leading the charge at both the Polar Plunge and a Special Olympics Play Day. Her ability to mobilize fellow athletes around a shared mission speaks to the kind of leader she is: one who lifts others up and turns purpose into action.
Anna exemplifies what it means to compete with heart — on the field and in the community.
Howard University Track & Field
They’re breaking records on the track. But their greatest achievement might just be what they’re building off of it.
The Men’s and Women’s Track & Field teams at Howard University created Run Your City – Shaw, a community program designed to make running fun, accessible, and meaningful for kids in Washington, D.C. Rooted in the Shaw neighborhood, the program brings student-athletes and youth together through physical fitness and mentorship — giving children not only a love of movement, but a connection to role models who look like them and believe in their potential.
For the Howard T&F team, service isn’t an add-on to their athletic identity — it’s central to it. Their dedication to DC’s youth reflects the spirit of Howard University’s legacy of excellence, leadership, and community impact.
Run Your City – Shaw is more than a program. It’s a movement.
Leading Beyond the Game with Thrivent
The stories of Anna Gill and the Howard University Track & Field team highlight what the AFH U program is all about — empowering student-athletes to use their voices and platforms to make a positive difference.
The AFH U Awards are proudly presented by Thrivent, a partner committed to uplifting student-athletes who understand that true success is measured not just by performance, but by the impact they make in their communities. Through this partnership, Athletes for Hope is able to expand opportunities for student-athletes to lead, serve, and inspire the next generation.
Together, we are proud to celebrate athletes who demonstrate that the impact they make beyond the game can be just as meaningful as their achievements in competition.
Learn more about the AFH U Awards and the student-athletes making a difference at athletesforhope.org.
