In 2024, 540,000 student-athletes competed in the NCAA alone. At a time when democracy requires a strong effort to be upheld, this group represents an untapped force for civic influence. A growing number of athletes have embraced their rising national influence through The Team’s programmatic offerings.
The Team’s mission is to capitalize on the unique and powerful intersection of sports and civics by developing teammates, inspiring leaders, and empowering citizens. Working directly with athletes, coaches, and administrators, we provide nonpartisan resources to increase voter participation, make civic engagement enjoyable and accessible, build stronger teams, and reinforce a commitment to community. To build our success, we are focused on five core priorities: amplifying athlete leadership and influence, expanding and strengthening the Engaged Athlete Fellowship, mobilizing around key civic moments, scaling campus engagement, and enhancing civic education and resources for athletes.
Acting as a vessel for our mission, The Team’s Engaged Athlete Fellowship, now in its third year, is a selective leadership program that equips like-minded athletes to tap into their civic power. The program, in partnership with the Bridge Alliance Education Fund, is home to over 60 alumni and 38 new fellows who were welcomed to the third cycle of the program in late August. Program applications increased by 571% between the first and third cycles, rising from 59 to 396 applications in just two years. 100% of Fellowship offers sent have been accepted across all three years of its operation.
Hailing from across the country, hand-selected Fellows are tasked with developing a civic engagement initiative that will have a lasting impact on their campus or beyond. Each Fellow brings a unique set of experiences to the table that informs their projects. Some of the most recurring project themes we encounter are: free community sports camps, mentorship, voting & civic education, resource drives & community events, and mental health initiatives.
Brooke Hudson, Florida A&M University Volleyball alumna and Assistant Coach, planned and executed visits in which she and her teammates led a legislative workshop at a local Tallahassee high school. The students had the opportunity to pass a sample bill as a class and got access to mentorship from current college athletes. Since completing the program, Hudson has had a noteworthy civic journey. She cites the Fellowship as the catalyst for finding her civic power, “The fellowship impacted me far beyond what I ever expected. I was finally able to see a path in a career that has my two biggest passions. I was able to meet amazing people and achieve bucket list goals like becoming a published Forbes author and meeting politicians who are creating real change! I’m forever thankful for the Team and Engaged Athlete Fellowship.”
Former Duke University Men’s Soccer player Sebastian Docters was similarly impacted by the program, expressing, “I am forever grateful for this immersive mentorship, as it not only motivated me to persevere in both academic and athletic settings, but it also gave me a blueprint for how I can reach my personal goals.” Docters led a mentorship series called the Blue Devil Scholars, which focused on providing middle school students from underprivileged backgrounds in Durham with additional academic and athletic support. The program successfully delivered its mission, demonstrating to the young athletes that the habits and mindset that drive success on the field parallel those that fuel achievement in the classroom.
Naming just two leaders from a group of over sixty successfully completed projects, Hudson and Docters represent the impact of the Engaged Athlete Fellowship on both the participants and those served by the civic initiatives.
The Team has had the privilege of bringing together each of the Fellowship cohorts at the culmination of their program. During the annual four-day convening in Washington, DC, the Fellows are immersed in civics, sports, and business at the highest level. With opportunities for collaboration, the cohorts have developed lasting relationships that support their continued civic efforts. With visits to The Hill, The White House, Nationals Stadium, corporations, and everywhere in between, attendees receive transformational exposure to professional opportunities.
Building on the momentum from years one and two of the Fellowship, The Team is ecstatic to support the 38 selected individuals, each of whom is eager and ready to get to work. The group will further expand The Team’s mission at the 14 new schools represented in the cohort and strengthen existing civic roots at our returning partner campuses. Spanning 13 different sports, the third iteration of the program will strategically expand what it means to be a student athlete, including their philanthropic interests.
Today, The Team serves as the premier resource for civic engagement in college athletics, utilizing our personal relationships and experience in sports to drive our innovative design and impactful work. The Team is the bridge between civic engagement and college athletics, and we will continue to empower a diverse network of campus leaders who will drive civic engagement efforts in 2025, 2026, and beyond.
Elizabeth Ford is The Team's Program Manager.
The Bridge Alliance, the sponsor of the Fulcrum, is a partner of The Team.
