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.