The Team

🏈 Meet the Engaged Athlete Fellows! Today, we’re spotlighting Khalif Welch, a redshirt junior on Bowie State University’s Football team. Khalif joined the fellowship to deepen his civic engagement and connect with others who share a passion for making a difference. This year, he’s teamed up with Athletes for Hope’s CHAMPS program—a powerful initiative that uses sport to support youth mental health, character development, and physical activity. As a Fellow, Khalif is committed to being a positive role model, using his platform and personal journey to inspire the next generation to lead with purpose and resilience.

👟 Meet the Engaged Athlete Fellows! Today, we’re celebrating Santana Spearman, a junior on Vanderbilt University’s Track & Field team. For Santana, being an Engaged Athlete Fellow means channeling the discipline and leadership learned through athletics into powerful community impact. It’s about embracing her identity as a student-athlete while collaborating with others who are committed to service and social change. This year, Santana helped lead Vanderbilt’s annual MLK Day Civil Rights Tour—partnering with Emory University student-athletes to honor Dr. King’s legacy through hands-on service. Together, they packaged essential items for those in need and engaged in meaningful conversations around justice, equity, and activism. Santana is building a legacy rooted in purpose, progress, and impact—on and off the track.

🏑 Meet the Engaged Athlete Fellows! Today, we’re highlighting Ria Chhina, a sophomore on the University of Virginia’s Field Hockey team. For Ria, being an Engaged Athlete Fellow means using her voice beyond the field to spark meaningful conversations and lead with purpose. Through her project, she set out to boost voter turnout at UVA by making the voting process more accessible and less intimidating for students. Partnering with student-athletes and campus organizations, Ria created nonpartisan content that broke down key steps—from navigating residency rules to understanding candidates—empowering her peers to register, get informed, and vote with confidence. 🗳️📘💬

Meet the Engaged Athlete Fellows! Today, we’re highlighting Josh Townley-Thomas, a redshirt sophomore on Creighton University’s Men’s Basketball team. For Josh, being an Engaged Athlete Fellow means embracing the responsibility that comes with being an athlete—using his platform to drive change and amplify voices in his community. “We can’t just shut up and dribble,” he says, and his project proves it. Josh is hosting a basketball camp with @AbideOmaha, an organization dedicated to uplifting North Omaha—a community that has long faced systemic underfunding and hardship. Through the camp, Josh aims to inspire, empower, and invest in the next generation.

🏈 Meet the Engaged Athlete Fellows! Today, we’re spotlighting Ola Salimonu, a redshirt senior on Norfolk State University’s Football team. For Ola, being a Fellow is about giving back to the community that shaped him. Through his project—a documentary centered on his high school football team—he’s telling a powerful story of unity, discipline, and brotherhood. The film explores themes of self-belief, integrity, and perseverance, aiming to inspire the next generation of athletes to chase their dreams with purpose. By using his voice and platform, Ola is building a legacy that reaches far beyond the field—one rooted in pride, connection, and empowerment. 🎥🏈💫

Applications are now open for year three of The Team’s Engaged Athlete Fellowship! This nonpartisan program supports student athletes in leading civic change on their campuses and beyond. 🗓 August 2025–June 2026 💼 $3,000 stipend + up to $1,000 project fund ✈️ All-expenses-paid trip to DC 🎓 Open to rising sophomores–grad students in DI, DII, DIII, NAIA, or community colleges Apply by July 7: theteam.org/2025-2026-fell…

🗣️ Meet the Engaged Athlete Fellows! Today, we’re featuring Stanley Borden, a senior on Duke University’s Men’s Basketball team. For Stanley, the fellowship offered the perfect structure to launch a long-envisioned project: Stanley’s Symposium Series—a weekly student-led space for open, honest dialogue on issues that matter. Guided by three core rules—non-attribution, no tech, and civil conversation—the series fosters thoughtful discussion free from judgment or academic constraints. Coinciding with the 2024 Presidential Election, the fellowship also opened new doors for Stanley to promote civic engagement and voter registration within the Duke community. With Stanley’s Symposium Series, he’s redefining how students connect, converse, and challenge ideas—one conversation at a time. 🧠📣📚

🏀 Meet the Engaged Athlete Fellows! Today, we’re highlighting Danja Stafford Collins, a graduate student on the Women’s Basketball team at Utah Valley University. For Danja, being a Fellow has meant using her platform to uplift others and create lasting impact through sport. This April, with the support of her friends, family, coaches, and local community, she hosted a 3-day camp centered around connection, resilience, and hope. The camp brought together youth from the Utah County area to build community and foster belonging, while also spotlighting the critical role sports can play in supporting teen mental health and well-being. To Danja, sports are more than a game—they’re a vehicle for confidence, connection, and lasting change. 🧠🏀💚

#TBT to Last Year’s Engaged Athlete Fellowship trip to D.C.! We’re just over 50 days away from welcoming this year’s Engaged Athlete Fellowship cohort to Washington, D.C. for an unforgettable 3-day experience! From meaningful professional development sessions to inspiring conversations with civic leaders—and of course, plenty of fun along the way—this trip is a highlight of the fellowship journey. Want to be part of next year’s cohort? Applications open next week—don’t miss your chance to apply!

Meet the Engaged Athlete Fellows! Today, we’re spotlighting Xavier Nesbitt, a sophomore on Harvard’s Men’s Basketball team. For Xavier, being an Engaged Athlete Fellow is about using the power of sports to create lasting impact. Inspired by the athletes who shaped his own journey, he’s committed to paying it forward. Through his project, Xavier organized a basketball clinic and civic engagement talk at the Charlestown Boys and Girls Club in Boston—bringing together 30–40 kids for a day of hoops, inspiration, and community. With support from his teammates, the event blended sport, mentorship, and meaningful dialogue—proving that athletes can be powerful role models both on and off the court. 🗣️🏀🤝 to learn more about Xavier’s incredible work!

Attention rising sophomore, junior, senior, and graduate student athletes ‼️ Mark your calendars 📅 The application for the 2025-2026 Engaged Athlete Fellowship will be available to fill out next week! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to grow your campus leadership skills and make a difference in your community! Perks include a personal and project stipend, professional development opportunities, and an end-of-year trip to Washington D.C. For more information about the fellowship visit TheTeam.org.

Meet the Engaged Athlete Fellows! Today, we’re featuring Philipp Roeder, a junior on Southern New Hampshire University’s Men’s Tennis team. For Philipp, being an Engaged Athlete Fellow is all about using his experience to uplift others and lead by example. His project brings SNHU tennis athletes together with local high school teams through hands-on clinics and mentorship—creating space to share stories, train together, and inspire young players to explore college athletics. It’s a powerful reminder that the impact of sport goes far beyond the court. Tap to learn more about Philipp’s inspiring work!

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 💫 At The Team, we’re proud to honor the rich history, culture, and contributions of the AAPI community. From the court to the classroom to the community, student-athletes, coaches, and administrators of AAPI heritage are leading with purpose and passion. This month—and every month—we uplift AAPI voices and champion a future where everyone has the power and platform to lead change.

🌟 Meet the Engaged Athlete Fellows! Today, we’re highlighting Katie Russell, a junior on Holy Cross’s Women’s Volleyball team. For Katie, being a Fellow means using her platform as an athlete to inspire civic engagement. This past fall, she worked tirelessly through tabling events, posters, and weekly Zoom meetings—partnering with administrators, students, and athletes—to spread one powerful message: Vote. Katie’s project reminds us that, no matter the political divide, every individual’s vote is their voice, and everyone deserves to be heard. 🗳️🏐💬 Swipe to learn more about Katie’s incredible impact! ➡️

Meet the Engaged Athlete Fellows! Today, we’re highlighting Ava Earl, a senior on Northwestern’s Track and Field team. Through her fellowship, Ava is creating a collaborative mural that celebrates the diverse experiences of Northwestern student-athletes, using visual art as a powerful form of civic engagement. Her project invites athletes to reflect on identity and community, beginning with an interactive activity at the ReFrame event and culminating in a mural displayed in the athletic facility. Swipe to learn more about Ava’s inspiring work! 🎨🏃🏽‍♀️💜

🌟 Meet the Engaged Athlete Fellows! Today, we’re highlighting Celia Watson, a sophomore on Princeton’s Women’s Rugby team. For Celia, being a Fellow means helping students build confidence, life skills, and a vision for their future. Her project connects high schoolers with mentors who guide them through personalized plans focused on academics, career exploration, and personal growth. It’s about more than mentorship—it’s about empowering the next generation. 💬📘💪 Swipe to learn more about Celia’s incredible work! ➡️

Meet the Engaged Athlete Fellows! Today, we’re highlighting Chris Clarke, a sophomore on Clark University’s Men’s Basketball team. During his fellowship, Chris is launching a mental health club called “Mindful 224”, an interactive club designed to foster deeper connections amongst individuals at Clark. Tap to read more about why Chris wanted to be a part of the Engaged Athlete Fellowship and how his project is making an impact on Clark’s student population. 🏀❤️

Meet the Engaged Athlete Fellows! Today’s spotlight is Sydney Smith, a sophomore on Northwestern’s Swimming and Diving team. Through her fellowship, Sydney is focusing on water safety around Lake Michigan and partnering with the YMCA to host a CPR clinic to decrease the risk of water-related accidents! Tap to learn more about Sydney’s incredible project! 🏊‍♀️💜