The Athletes' Voice • March 1, 2026
I was born in a small town in the Ethiopian countryside, near Addis Ababa, during a famine. During that time, my father made the difficult decision to put me up for adoption. He wanted me to have a chance at life, even if it meant letting me go. I was around four years old at […]
The Athletes' Voice • February 9, 2026
As a dedicated athlete, my life has been a balancing act of academics, family sacrifices, and personal challenges. My journey began with a deep love for soccer, which was nurtured by my family’s immense support. My father, who had coached me through high school, recognized my talent early on and went above and beyond to […]
The Athletes' Voice • January 26, 2026
I’ve been an athlete my whole life, but it wasn’t until I started my journey as a distance runner at the University of Nebraska that I began to fully realize the impact I could have on others. As NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) opportunities emerged, I saw an avenue to not only benefit myself, but also […]
The Athletes' Voice • January 20, 2026
My journey as a college soccer player at the University of Texas began long before I set foot on campus. It started with a decision to leave my home in New York and head to IMG Academy in Florida during the pandemic. At IMG, I had the opportunity to develop as a player and a […]
The Athletes' Voice • December 2, 2025
I hated soccer at first. It was no fun. I cried all the time and never wanted to go to practice. In fact, the only reason I even started playing was because my mom worked for a soccer office, and I got free access to summer camps and other perks. It was just a way […]
The Athletes' Voice • October 15, 2025
My journey in the sport of softball has been anything but ordinary. Growing up, I didn’t dream of being a softball player. I was a cheerleader who got invited to play on a travel softball team as a guest player, and that’s where it all began. The more time I spent playing, the more I […]
The Athletes' Voice • September 10, 2025
I was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, a small town on the outskirts of the metro area. Interestingly, my first love was volleyball, a sport entirely unrelated to what I do now. Later, I followed in my dad’s footsteps and took up basketball. It seemed like a natural progression, and I experienced a fair amount […]
The Athletes' Voice • August 26, 2025
Between being a college football player, running a non-profit, leading my own agency, operating a health and wellness business, and doing partnerships of my own, I usually have my hands full. I love what I do, and I’m proud of the fact that I’ve been able to pursue my education and a wide range of […]
The Athletes' Voice • August 6, 2025
My name is Angelina Vasquez and I am a member of the UNLV Track Team. From a young age, I knew I wanted to run. My dad introduced me to running and was my coach through high school, something I am forever grateful for. He taught me trust and resilience even on the hard days. […]
The Athletes' Voice • July 23, 2025
My journey into throwing was never part of the plan. In high school and middle school, I was a dedicated basketball player and boxer. However, as I entered high school and began to feel fatigued from basketball, my mom encouraged me to try something different for conditioning. Little did I know that this decision would […]