Measurable Community Impact.
Real stories of Student Athletes making meaningful contributions to the Charlottesville community and preparing for life beyond athletics.
2025-2026 Year in Review
A year of measurable impact through community engagement, educational programming, and career development.
2026 Grant Recipients
Through our Champions of the Community program, Student Athletes researched, evaluated, and recommended funding to organizations making measurable impact in Charlottesville.
Make-A-Wish of Greater Virginia
Reclaimed Hope Initiative
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Blue Ridge
Charlottesville Community Bikes
Charlottesville Free Clinic
Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry
Blue Ridge Area Food Bank
Piedmont CASA
Cultivate Charlottesville
College Mentors for Kids
Computers4Kids
Piedmont YMCA
Benjamin Hair - Just Swim For Life
Camp Holiday Trails
Athletes In Action
HER Sports 100
Black Men of Central Virginia
Stepping Stone
Building Goodness Foundation
Bennett's Village
LilyPads Housing
The Yellow Door Foundation
Student Athlete Voices
“I think volunteering is so important, with Charlottesville being such a small town–getting to know the community outside of UVA is so impactful.”
“As a Student Athlete, I'm balancing sports, academics, and life. The Foundation has created a community where we all lift each other up.”
“I really love the opportunity to connect with young kids, being able to encourage and inspire them to discover the joy that comes with sports, teamwork, and building relationships with others. It's so rewarding to be a part of something that empowers athletes like myself to build confidence, develop valuable life skills, and create meaningful experiences far beyond our sports”
In the Community
Stevie Bracey (UVA Football) teamed up with the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank for their annual "Shop to Stop Hunger" Event. He raised over $850 and gathered ~100lbs of food to be given to the Charlottesville area. In 2025, Stevie was nominated for the Allstate Goodworks Team and Wuerffel Trophy.
The UVA Softball team met, autographed, and coached young players at Azalea Park this Spring. They also unveiled the Scoreboard funded by Year 2 of Champions of the Community Program, recommended by UVA player Jade Hylton.
UVA Football players Tekai Kirby, John Rogers, Dakota Twitty, and Jalen McNair played pinball in support of the Ronald McDonald House of Charlottesville, connecting with local gamers at the John Breen Tournament at Decades Arcade.
Reilly Katz and the UVA Rowing team mentored kids at Johnson Elementary, having lunch with them, building sculptures in the STEM room, and of course, playing on the playground.
Make-A-Wish of Greater Charlottesville and the UVA Baseball team spent the day crafting Wish Stars and gave the players a chance to inspire change on a 1-1 level. The Stars were displayed at the Dish all season long, bringing awareness to this important cause.
The UVA Rowing team visited the Colonnades Retirement Community once a month. Pictured is Dylan Bentley, who has forged connections with the patrons over 2 years of visits.
Aimee Canny and Anna Moesh (UVA Swim and Dive) read to kids at Greenbriar Elementary for Black History Month with the 100 Black Men of Charlottesville.
Be Part of the Impact
Your support enables Student Athletes to make meaningful contributions to the community while developing skills for life beyond athletics.