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AFH University Awards: Celebrating October’s Standout Student-Athletes

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AFH University Awards: Celebrating October’s Standout Student-Athletes

Posted: Updated: by Jasmine Moore

At Athletes for Hope, we believe that true leadership starts with service. Every month, the AFH University Awards, presented by Thrivent, recognize student-athletes who go above and beyond — using their platform to uplift others and strengthen their communities.

This October, we’re proud to spotlight two outstanding examples of service in action: the LSU Women’s Soccer Team and Gaby Rivera of LSU Women’s Tennis. Their commitment to giving back reminds us why we do what we do — to empower athletes to change lives through sport.

LSU Women’s Soccer: Playing with Purpose

The LSU Women’s Soccer Team kicked off the year with a remarkable spirit of service. In just one month, the team supported youth and adults with disabilities through BREC’s therapeutic riding program, brought joy to seniors at a local senior living home, and stood alongside breast cancer patients and survivors at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital.

Their actions speak volumes about what it means to wear a jersey with pride — not just for what happens on the field, but for the impact made off it. These athletes remind us that teamwork extends far beyond competition; it’s about showing up for your community, one act of kindness at a time.

Gaby Rivera: Leading by Example

Gaby Rivera, a standout on the LSU Women’s Tennis Team, embodies what it means to lead with heart. Gaby organized athletes from across LSU to participate in First Day Helpers, greeting and encouraging local students as they arrived for their first day of school.

She also volunteered at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital, joined a CHAMPS reading visit to Wildwood Elementary, and created moments of inclusion and joy through The Miracle League, where she helped children with special needs participate in sports.

Gaby’s leadership shows how one athlete’s energy can unite a campus — and how service can become a lifelong part of an athlete’s journey.

Powered by Partnership: Thrivent x AFH

We’re deeply grateful to Thrivent for sponsoring the AFH University Awards and helping us celebrate student-athletes who embody service, compassion, and leadership. Together, we’re expanding opportunities for athletes to serve their communities and discover the power of sport as a tool for good.

With Thrivent’s support, AFH University continues to grow its reach — connecting more campuses, building a stronger culture of service, and inspiring athletes to see leadership as something that starts with giving back.

Celebrating Impact Beyond the Game

Every story like this strengthens our belief in the mission that drives AFH — that sport has the power to create lasting change. The LSU Women’s Soccer Team and Gaby Rivera are proof that when athletes lead with empathy and purpose, their impact extends far beyond the field or court.

To every athlete and donor who supports our work — thank you for helping us make moments like these possible. Together, we’re not just celebrating service. We’re changing the culture of sport, one act of kindness at a time.

Swimmer Bri Leverenz Heads to the Philippines to Give Back

Posted: Updated: by Brooke McMillan

My name is Brianna Leverenz, or Bri as I was called for the entirety of my college career. This past May I graduated from the University of Tennessee where I competed as a swimmer from 2015 until 2019. I grew up in Tucson, Arizona where the summers are painfully hot and backyard pools were a dime a dozen, so swimming has always been a part of my life. My sport was almost chosen for me because I am the youngest of 4 children, and if the older 3 swam, then so did I. I quickly found my own joy in swimming, and it was that passion that drove me to compete all the way through to an elite college level.

I knew that my swimming career would end with the termination of my college career, but I did not want my involvement with the sport to end as well. Swimming opened so many doors for me, and I owed it to myself, and the sport that I love, to use that platform to help others. To me, swimming is a sport and a pastime, but to many, especially in an archipelago like the Philippines, swimming is a life saving skill. I chose the Philippines because of an opportunity that arose and a need that I knew I could address, so I began crafting a plan. Now I am beginning a 3-month, 12 city journey all across a foreign country to coach kids how to swim and teachers on how to teach kids how to swim. The Filipino people will be the first to tell you that very few people, adults and children alike, know how to swim. I know that I will not be able to save everyone, but if I can help one child it will be a success.

While I would like to say this is a selfless mission, I want to be able to learn and grow as a person from experiencing a new culture and sharing my passion by pushing myself out of my comfort zone. From the months of planning this trip all the way to scheduling schools to work with, this project has been my own undertaking. I know the challenge of traveling alone, teaching hundreds of kids, and working with people with a different perspective is going to push me as an athlete, a person and a leader, and I hope to be able to channel that for positive personal growth. Sport is such a powerful platform for social change, and it is a gift to be able to share the possibility of hope with these kids. Swimming can be so much more than chasing a black line, it can be potential for something more.

While I am here by myself, I do not want what I am learning to end with me. I want to share my experience. Tune in to Athletes for Hope social media for my “Bri my Guest” series every Friday, and for more blog posts to come. If you are an athlete, and this is resonating with you, please reach out! Athletes for Hope is generously sponsoring my trip with the goal of expanding this project beyond me.

Athletes for Hope Presents at the NCAA Senior Bowl

Posted: by bsanchez

This time of year, college seniors are pushing hard to get through the end of their last semester and are preparing for the start of their careers. The same is true for student athletes, many of which have their sights to the NFL.

Our team had the privilege of presenting to this year’s Senior Bowl class where top college football players would display their talents before the NFL draft.  Some of today’s biggest NFL stars have played in the Senior Bowl. As evidence, nearly every season at least 30% of those in attendance will end up in the NFL.

Our CEO, Ivan Blumberg, presented to a room full of players and the coaching staff. By the end of it, nearly every athlete there signed up to give back to others through Athletes for Hope. The top three causes athletes expressed interest in were:

  1. Helping children become more active
  2. Helping kids get a better education
  3. Reducing global poverty and hunger

The feedback from the event was very positive and many of the players offered their thanks and praise during the open discussion. For example, some of the comments said include:

  • “Great information that made me realize my responsibilities as an athlete”
  • “Inspirational!!!”
  • “I had a clear understanding on the process to help the community and how I can be more engaged in foundations that I want to be involved with.”

It was an honor to present to the NCAA Senior Bowl and to work with the organizers on this effort. We look forward to working with this organization and student athletes to make this world a better place.