SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – The University of San Francisco Athletic Department held its 14th annual Hilltop Awards this past Friday, May 9 on the university’s Hilltop campus.

Remarks on Friday evening included contributions from USF Director of Athletics Larry Williams, Deputy Athletics Director Stephanie Shrieve-Hawkins and Executive Sr. Associate Athletics Director Frank Allocco as student-athletes where honored for their academic and athletic excellence during the 2024-25 school year.

Following another tremendous year, Riana Mission (women’s golf) took home the Anne Dolan Demale Athlete of the Year for the second straight year while Reid Roberts (men’s soccer) received the Bill Russell Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year award.

Abigail Lotz (triathlon) and Carter Lewis (cross country/track & field) both won the Dante Benedetti Award, which is given annually to the male and female student-athletes who serve as an inspiration to their teammates through their unwavering sense of loyalty, self-sacrifice, unselfishness, positive attitude and hard work.

All-WCC Second Team selection Emma Trawally Porta (women’s basketball) and Eddison Esquivel (baseball) were both honored with the Newcomer of the Year awards.

The Stephen J. Privett, S.J. Award, which honors a student-athlete or team who demonstrated a commitment to a higher standard of learning and social justice through their outstanding work in the community, was given to Sophia Priester-Veasley (track & field) and Morgan McDonough (men’s golf).

Noga Gottlieb (triathlon) took home the Charles Haney Academic Award, which is given annually to the senior student-athlete who has maintained the highest-grade point average during their time at USF. Gottlieb will be graduating this May with an undergraduate degree in Computer Science.

Following a second-place finish in the fall, the USF men’s soccer team received the Spirit of ’51 Award for the second straight year. This honor is given annually to a team that embodies success both on the field and in the classroom by creating leaders who are ready to make an impact in the world. The award is named in honor of USF’s undefeated, untied and uninvited 1951 football team whose supreme triumph came in its stand against racial inequality.

JT Amaral (baseball) and Hannah Burns (women’s soccer) were each presented with the Athletic Performance Carpe Diem Award. Determined by the USF athletic performance staff, the award is presented to a male and female student athlete who displays maximum effort on and off the field of competition through a consistent commitment to nutrition, strength and conditioning, sports medicine and mental performance enhancement. 

Rounding out the individual awards was Malik Thomas (men’s basketball), who received the Roger and Claudia Salquist Athletic Director’s Leadership Award, which is presented annually to a senior student-athlete who displays exemplary leadership throughout their time on the Hilltop.

14TH ANNUAL HILLTOP AWARD WINNERS:

Anne Dolan Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year: Riana Mission  (Women’s Golf/2x winner, 2023-24 + 2024-25)

Bill Russell Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year: Reid Roberts (Men’s Soccer)

Dante Benedetti Award: Abigail Lotz (Triathlon) and Carter Lewis (Cross Country/Track & Field)

 

Newcomer of the Year Award: Emma Trawally Porta (Women’s Basketball) and Eddison Esquivel (Baseball)

Stephen Privett, S.J. Award: Sophia Priester-Veasley (Track & Field) and Morgan McDonough (Men’s Golf)

Spirit of ’51 Award: Men’s Soccer

Charles Haney Academic Award: Noga Gottlieb (Triathlon)

Athletic Performance Carpe Diem Award: Hannah Burns (Women’s Soccer) and JT Amaral (Baseball)

Roger and Claudia Salquist Athleitc Director’s Leadership Award: Malik Thomas (Men’s Basketball)

Excellence Awards: 

Awarded to male and female representatives from each team that have achieved a high level of excellence. This is decided by the coaches based on their own criteria.

 

For updates and more information on San Francisco Athletics, follow the Dons on social media @DonsAthletics on Twitter, @DonsAthletics on Instagram, @DonsAthletics on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube Channel @USFDonsAthletics.

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INSIDE: #4 Women’s Lacrosse takes care of Endicott in NCAA Tournament, will host next two rounds in Waterville, Baseball ends NESCAC Tournament in 3rd, Softball tops Middlebury, falls to eventual NESCAC champion Tufts, Crew competes in NESCAC Championship with Men’s V8 earning a spot in the IRA Division III National meet, Tennis collects six NESCAC awards with Cohen qualifying for NCAA Championships, Munter named NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year to lead the way in NESCAC Women’s Lacrosse awards, Track & Field gets closer to NCAA meet, and more. 

 

NEW YORK – The City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) has announced its All-Star awards and team for the 2025 men’s outdoor track & field season.
 
Senior Brian Guillermo of Hunter was voted as the Track Athlete of the Year, while Medgar Evers’ Omari Hinds was named Field Athlete of the Year.  The Cougars’ Reco Griffith was chosen as Rookie of the Year, while MEC head coach Hugh Reid was voted Coach of the Year by his peers.  Lehman’s Charles Howard was selected as the Sportsmanship Award winner.
 
Track Athlete of the Year: Brian Guillermo, Hunter
Guillermo owns the conference’s fastest time in two distance events.  He is No. 1 in the 1500 (4:19.00) and the 10,000 (32:29.85) and sits No. 2 in the 5,000 (15:57.70).  At the conference championship he took gold in the 5,000 and silver in the 1,500.
 
Field Athlete of the Year: Omari Hinds, Medgar Evers
Hinds held the top mark in the CUNYAC in the long jump (6.86 meters) and the triple jump (13.22 meters) while posting the No. 2 mark in the high jump (1.90 meters).  He took first in the high jump and triple jump at the conference meet and placed second in the long jump.
 
Rookie of the Year: Reco Griffith, Medgar Evers
Griffith has the conference’s top time in the 100-meter dash (10.52) as well as the 200 (21.36), while his 400 time of 52.01 seconds sits fourth.  He took gold in both the 100 and 200 at the conference championship, setting CUNYAC Championship records in both events.  Griffith’s 100-meter dash time ranks No. 35 nationally.
 
Coach of the Year: Hugh Reid, Medgar Evers
Reid guided the Cougars to their second straight men’s outdoor track and field conference championship this season and second in program history.  Medgar Evers had a total of 11 individual event winners at the conference meet.
 
2025 CUNYAC Men’s Outdoor Track & Field Awards
Track Athlete of the Year: Brian Guillermo, Hunter
Field Athlete of the Year: Omari Hinds, Medgar Evers
Rookie of the Year: Reco Griffith, Medgar Evers
Coach of the Year: Hugh Reid, Medgar Evers
Sportsmanship Award: Charles Howard, Lehman
Sportsmanship Team: Howard, Brandon Green (CCNY), Angel Martinez (Hunter), Chrisnel Nicolas (Medgar Evers), Richard Reyes (York)
 
All-Stars
Michael Abayev, CCNY
Jason Alexopoulos, CCNY
Trent Santoro, CCNY
Brian Arias, Hunter
Jonathan Cauchi, Hunter
Jocsan Crespo, Hunter
Hamza Elsherbiny, Hunter
Brian Guillermo, Hunter
Leonardo Kaplan, Hunter
Benjamin Landheim, Hunter
Mateo Penafiel, Hunter
Conor Sullivan, Hunter
Hengzhi Zhu, Hunter
Quincy Miller, Lehman
Adeolu Adeyemi, Medgar Evers
Joshua Felix, Medgar Evers
Reco Griffith, Medgar Evers
Omari Hinds, Medgar Evers
Kayshaun Higgs, Medgar Evers
Jahiem Johnson, Medgar Evers
Ruper Luard-Charles, Medgar Evers
Chrisnel Nicolas, Medgar Evers
Michael Ortega, Medgar Evers
Dontay Washington, Medgar Evers
Zion Young, Medgar Evers
 

For the latest news on the CUNY Athletic Conference, log on to cunyathletics.com – the official site of the CUNY Athletic Conference. Also, become a follower of the CUNYAC on Instagram (@CUNYAC), Twitter (@CUNYAC) and YouTube (@CUNY Athletic Conference), and “LIKE” Us on Facebook (CUNY Athletic Conference). 

Bronx, N.Y. – Eight individuals will be enshrined into the Fordham University Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, October 17, in the McShane Center as part of Homecoming Weekend. Those making up the 2025 Hall of Fame class are Mike Bonneville, FCHR ’03 (Rowing), Andrew Cordova, FCRH ’93 (Squash), Courtney Collyer, FCRH ’12 (Women’s Swimming), Kevin Fitzgerald (Men’s Track & Field), Bill Harris (Water Polo – Head Coach), Stan Michael, GABELLI ’88 (Football), Eric Reese, GABELLI ’08 (Baseball), and John Rollins, FCRH ’86 (Men’s Soccer).
 
The eight will join the likes of Frankie Frisch, Vince Lombardi, Wellington Mara, and Vin Scully in the Fordham Athletics Hall of Fame when the new class is inducted.

Mike Bonneville, FCHR ’03 (Rowing)

* Four-year member of men’s crew

* Won medals at major national events all four years at Fordham

* The most successful coxswain in Fordham rowing history

* Took home a gold medal in varsity lightweight 4 as sophomore at Dad Vail National Championship

* Won a gold medal in varsity lightweight 8 as junior at Dad Vail National Championship

* A gold medalist at the ECAC National Collegiate Invitational Regatta in varsity lightweight 8 as senior

* Made the Grand Final of the Intercollegiate Rowing Association Regatta in both 2001 and 2002

* Member of the lightweight 4 that won the inaugural Atlantic 10 title in 2000

 

Courtney Collyer, FCRH ’12 (Women’s Swimming)

* Received the 2012 Terence O’Donnell Award, presented to the Fordham athlete who best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship, loyalty, dedi­cation and self-discipline.

* Recipient of the 2012 Atlantic 10 Sportsmanship Award

* Six-time Atlantic 10 champion

* Won the 200 Fly all four years at the Atlantic 10 Championships

* Set one Atlantic 10 individual and one relay record

* Set five school individual records and was a member of four school-record setting relay teams

* Named Rookie of the Meet as a freshman in 2009

* Won the 200 Fly and 400 IM as a freshman at the Atlantic 10 Championship

* Set A-10 conference records in the 200 fly and with the 800 free relay at A-10s

* Won the 200 Fly and was second in the 200 IM as a sophomore at the Atlantic 10 Championships

* Won the 200 Fly and second in the 400 IM at the Atlantic 10 Championship as a junior

* Finished the season with an NCAA “B” cut in the 200 IM at the A-10 Championship

* Won the 100 and  200 Fly at the Atlantic 10 Championship as a senior

* Recorded NCAA “B” cuts in the 100 and 200 Fly and with the 800 Free Relay as a senior

 

Andrew Cordova, FCRH ’93 (Squash)

* Four-year member of the team

* Went 18-8 as a freshman at position 4, one of only two freshmen to play in top nine all four years

* Was 20-8 as a sophomore and #4/5 positions, undefeated at nationals

* 21-7 as a junior at the #5 position, undefeated at nationals

* Team ranked #13 in the country as a junior

* 20-8 record as a senior at number 3 position

* Served as co-captain of the 1992-1993 team

* Invited to the National Singles Championship (top 64 players in the country)

* Inducted into the Maryland State Squash Racquets Association Hall of Fame in 2011

* ISDA Tour Player from 2001-2008

Kevin Fitzgerald (Men’s Track & Field)

* Six-time Atlantic 10 champion over his career

* Four-time Metropolitan champion over his career

* Competed in the mile and with the 4×800 relay at the 2012 IC4A Championships, earning All-East honors with second place finishes in both

* Earned First Team All-Atlantic 10 honors by winning the 1000m at the 2012 Atlantic 10 Indoor Championship in a season-best time of 2:26.96

* Also garnered First Team All-A-10 accolades with the winning 4×800 relay that set an Atlantic 10 conference record by winning the race in a time of 7:25.29, a school record that still stands

* Helped the Rams to a third place finish at the 2012 Atlantic 10 Indoor Championship, tying for the Rams’ best-ever finish at the Championship, with 91.5 points (the team’s best total at A-10’s)

* 2011 First Team All-Atlantic 10 selection as a junior after winning the 1,000 meters in 2:29.02 at the Atlantic 10 Championship

* Was also a part of the winning 4×800 relay at the 2011 Atlantic 10 Indoor Championship in 7:40.51

* Named to the 2011 Atlantic 10 All-Academic Team

* Finished second at the IC4A Championship as a part of the 4×800 relay team that set the school record with a time of 7:26.00, the second fastest time in the nation

* Won the 1000m title as a sophomore at the 2010 IC4A Indoor Championships in a time of 2:27.91 to earn All-East honors

* Scored at the 2010 Atlantic 10 Indoor Championship, taking fourth in the 1000m (2:27.98)

* Named Academic All-Atlantic as a junior and senior

Bill Harris (Water Polo – Head Coach)

* Has been with the water polo program for the past 21 years

* Served as head coach from 2004-2020 and as associate head coach through 2024

*  333 wins (most in the history of the program), 224 as head coach

* .571 winning percentage, vs. .233 for 5 years prior to arrival

* One regular season league championships (2009)

* Four league championships and NCAA appearances (2021 – 2024)

* 2009 CWPA Northern Division Coach of the Year

* 2017 MAWPC East Division Coach of the Year

* 2018 MAWPC Championship Coach of the Tournament

* 2019 MAWPC East Division Co-Coach of the Year

* 2021 and 2022 MAWPC Champions

* 2021 and 2022 NCAA Championship Berth

* Coaching accolades:

o   2009 CWPA Northern Division Coach of the Year

o   2017 MAWPC East Division Coach of the Year

o   2018 MAWPC Championship Coach of the Tournament

o   2019 MAWPC East Division Co-Coach of the Year

* Athlete accolades:

o   21 all American athletes, 10 as head coach

o   56 all conference athletes, 28 as head coach

* Over his time at Rose Hill, he has expanded the reach of Fordham water polo across the U.S. and internationally with players from Italy, Turkey, Spain, Malta, Greece, Sweden, Israel, Brazil, Hungary, France, South Africa and Venezuela

* Consistently has raised the bar for the program to eventually convince the athletic department to invest in the program with athletic scholarships

* That investment was quickly rewarded with four straight MAWPC Championships and 4 NCAA Championship berths, including a semi-final finish and a #3 final national ranking in 2024 (highest of any school in history outside CA).

 

Stan Michael, GABELLI ’88 (Football)

* Transferred to Fordham from SUNY Cortland midway through fall of sophomore year (1969)

* Key member of the 1969 defense that held five opponents scoreless and yielded 45 points in eight games

* Recorded 47 tackles as a sophomore, fifth highest on team

* Became a starter as a junior in 1970 when the team was elevated to varsity status

* Had 68 total tackles, 27 solo, and recovered four fumbles for a defense that recorded three shutouts

* Earned All-State honors in 1970

* Voted co-captain as a senior in 1971

* Recorded 104 tackles, 40 solo, and blocked a kick

* Named team MVP and was named All-State

* Stan’s play was critical to making Fordham’s huge transition from successful club level ball to successful varsity possible.

 

Eric Reese, GABELLI ’08 (Baseball)

* Four-year member of the baseball team

* Current career rankings

• 4^th – hits (233) (was third when he graduated)
• 5^th – walks (125)
• T-7^th – runs (165)
• T-9^th – games played (198)
• 10^th – at bats (712)
• 10^th – total bases (308)
• 11^th – RBI (123)
• 13^th – stolen bases (60)

* Helped Fordham finish third in the Atlantic 10 & qualify for the Atlantic 10 Tournament as a freshman
* Had 18-multi-hit games as a sophomore
* Served as a team captain as a junior and senior
* Named First Team All-Atlantic 10

* Helped Fordham finish second in the 2007 Atlantic 10 & reach the final of the Atlantic 10 Championship
* Selected to the 2007 Atlantic 10 all-championship team
* Had 81 hits as a junior, second only to HOFer Mike Marchiano (102) for the single season record
* Second Ram ever to have 80 hits and 55 runs scored in the same season (Marchiano)
* 2008 All-Atlantic 10 honorable mention
* Named to the Atlantic 10 Academic All-Conference Team
* ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA First Team Academic All-District
* Recipient of the Benedict T. Harter Award at the Block F Awards dinner
 
John Rollins, FCRH ’86 (Men’s Soccer)
* Four-year starter
* Two-time All-MAAC selection
* Two-time First Team All-Tri-State Conference pick
* Honorable Mention All-New York State as a senior
* Started and played every minute as a senior in 1985, leading team to a 13-4-3 record
* Named First Team All-MAAC and All-Tri-State Conference in 1985
* Also named Honorable Mention All-New York State
* 1985 club ranked fourth in New York State Region and top 35 in nation
* Had one goal and six assists as a senior
* Started and played every minute as a junior in 1984, leading team to an 11-6-3 record
* Named Second Team All-MAAC and First Team All-Tri-State Conference as a junior
* 1984 team was ranked eighth in New York State
* Started and played every minute as a sophomore in 1983, leading team to a 10-6-4 record
* Earned Second Team All-Tri-State Conference honors in 1983
* Started and played every minute as a freshman in 1982, leading team to an 11-2-4 record
* 1982 team was ranked third in New York State region and top 30 in country
* Team tied then #1 LIU, 1-1, on Edwards Parade in front of what was considered to be largest soccer crowd ever on Edwards Parade
 
Congratulations to the Fordham Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2025! Each of these individuals’ contributions are an integral part of the proud history of Fordham Athletics, and their legacies will be forever remembered and celebrated. 
 
Tickets to attend the October 17 ceremony will be available soon.

AfroBallers has transformed from a sports media platform into a significant cultural force that reshapes the way African athletes and sports stories are told, represented, and celebrated. Founded by Elliot Osagie and Kevin Bahun-Wilson, AfroBallers operates at the intersection of sports, culture, and technology. Osagie, an Emmy-nominated software engineer and music executive, and Bahun-Wilson, a French-Togolese-Ghanaian entrepreneur with a PhD in mechanical engineering, created the platform with a bold mission: to amplify the voices and achievements of African and African-descended athletes worldwide.

The platform emerged from a desire to globalize African excellence and to change the perspective on how African talent is perceived. What sets AfroBallers apart is its ability to connect with audiences on a variety of digital platforms; whether it’s Instagram, TikTok, X, Threads, or YouTube-making it a touchpoint for fans regardless of their preferred medium.As a result, AfroBallers has become a unique and influential entity within the fragmented landscape of African sports media.

This influence is also driving tangible change in the African sports business. A prime example is the groundbreaking partnership between the reigning Basketball Africa League (BAL) Champions, Angola’s Atlético Petróleos de Luanda, more commonly known as Petro de Luanda, and Puma. This landmark deal, which designates Puma as the football partner of one of Angola’s most storied clubs, indicates a shift in how African teams are valued on the global stage.

In an interview with Forbes.com, the two co-founders discussed this partnership, the factors that position clubs for sponsorships, the power of storytelling, and their collaboration with Afrikicks.

Pioneering Partnerships: Making the Global Local

The impact of AfroBallers is undeniable. When J. Cole signed with the Basketball Africa League (BAL), it was AfroBallers—not ESPN or Reuters—that broke the news. Cited by Bleacher Report and Complex, AfroBallers not only reported the story but also helped shape its global narrative. With a digital-first and culturally aware approach, they have become the go-to source for fans seeking authentic news about the African sports ecosystem.

Strategic partnerships with global institutions, such as the NFL, further highlight AfroBallers’ influence. Since the launch of NFL Africa, they have co-created content tailored to African audiences, showcasing local talent and making complex stories engaging and relatable. They serve as a bridge between different worlds: local and global, tradition and innovation, as well as the diaspora and Africa.

But AfroBallers’ storytelling doesn’t end at the screen, it extends into real-world deal-making. The landmark partnership between Angola’s Atlético Petróleos de Luanda (Petro de Luanda) and Puma is a sample of the work that they continue to do. Far from a chance collaboration, the deal was the result of AfroBallers’ strategic matchmaking, aligning Petro’s competitive legacy and growing visibility with Puma’s global brand footprint which already has a growing influence on football across the continent.

Bahun-Wilson explained, “We acknowledged the strength of Petro de Luanda, not only because of their winning culture but also due to their structure, ambition, and fan base, which made them an excellent fit for a brand like Puma.” The steps taken to close the deal were strategic. AfroBallers acted as the link, aligning brand values, performance, and long-term goals. This partnership marked a significant milestone, signalling to other African clubs that such high-level collaborations are achievable when a solid foundation is laid.

Bahun-Wilson added, “I believe this sets a new precedent for African basketball. However, teams need to invest in their own storytelling and in promoting their players. When everything is in place, when the right infrastructure exists, teams will be ready for more sponsorship opportunities.”

He pointed to Petro as a prime example, noting, “They have been investing in their athletes’ stories on social media, in their graphics, and so on. Any team that follows a similar approach, like some of the Egyptian teams, would be ready for more significant brand partnerships.”

AfroBallers as a Cultural Conduit

This partnership, along with others in development, highlights a deeper mission: to amplify African sports culture while connecting the diaspora. AfroBallers is uniquely positioned to serve as both a platform and a bridge. “We don’t just want to close deals; we want to share stories that resonate globally,” Osagie explains. Through player features, behind-the-scenes content, and high-visibility sponsorships, the consistent goal is to keep African sports visible, viable, and celebrated both at home and abroad. In this sense, AfroBallers becomes more than just a middleman.

They are custodians of culture, committed to presenting African sports in an aspirational, marketable, and deeply authentic way. “As we continue to push the needle and raise global brand awareness for the African market, we’re also focusing on athlete incubation and talent discovery,” says Osagie. “It all begins with the media platform. It starts with telling the story. And that’s what AfroBallers is here to do.”

How Storytelling Is The Heartbeat of African Sports

AfroBallers believes that the key to unlocking more global brand partnerships lies in how African athletes and teams tell their stories. They emphasize the importance of investing in storytelling—showcasing the journeys, struggles, and triumphs of athletes to humanize their brands and create deeper emotional connections with fans. “A player doesn’t need to be the MVP to have a global following,” says Osagie. “The unique personalities, character, and cultural influence of African athletes can create enormous marketing value. This is a strength that clubs can leverage.”

Bahun-Wilson cites the example of Carlos Morais, an Angola-born basketball star who played in the NBA and captained Petro de Luanda to a championship. Despite his success, Morais hasn’t yet landed a major brand endorsement, primarily due to a lack of focused storytelling surrounding his brand. “It’s not just about playing well; it’s about telling your story,” adds Bahun-Wilson.

Infrastructure and Identity: The Dual Engines of African Sports Growth

While storytelling remains a powerful tool, the co-founders emphasize that narrative alone isn’t enough. For African clubs to compete on the global stage and attract meaningful sponsorships, they must also invest in the infrastructure that sustains long-term growth. This means building in-house media teams, strengthening digital marketing efforts, and establishing the administrative capacity to handle high-level brand partnerships.

“You can’t just rely on the BAL or other leagues,” Bahun-Wilson explains. “Clubs need to build their own ecosystems and invest in their own growth. This includes training players, enhancing facilities, and ensuring there’s a clear pathway for both players and brands to succeed.”

At the same time, AfroBallers champions a parallel investment; one in culture. They see African identity not just as a differentiator but as an economic asset. “The culture itself has marketing value,” Osagie points out. “It’s about embracing the culture and allowing athletes to be their authentic selves. The world is drawn to that authenticity.”

This idea of “culture as currency” is especially powerful for smaller clubs that may lack financial muscle but have rich, untapped stories to tell. By crafting compelling narratives around their teams and players, these clubs can position themselves for recognition, even before they break into global leagues. For AfroBallers, real growth happens when culture and infrastructure move in tandem.

Afrikicks and AfroBallers: A Powerful Collaboration for Social Change

AfroBallers’ mission extends beyond sponsorships and partnerships; it also intersects with social impact. Their collaboration with Afrikicks, a nonprofit that has donated over 330,000 pairs of shoes and facilitated over 1.6 million contributions of essential resources across 10 African countries, reflects their commitment to giving back. Jonitta Wallace, the Executive Director of Afrikicks and Strategy & Operations Manager at AfroBallers, has been instrumental in uniting the two organizations for impactful projects. “Afrikicks and AfroBallers share a mentality of giving back,” says Wallace.

“Through our partnership, we aim to deliver shoes to athletes, orphanages, and schools across Africa, starting with West Africa. Afrikicks has already sent over 250,000 pairs of shoes to the region, and now we’re working to scale that impact even further.” Afrikicks’ initiatives extend beyond the sports world, providing food, clothing, medical supplies, and educational resources to underserved communities. The partnership with AfroBallers amplifies these efforts, using AfroBallers’ digital platform and reach to bring greater visibility to Afrikicks’ on-the-ground work.

The Road Ahead, Setting New Standards for African Sports Media

Looking to the future, AfroBallers aims to continue its efforts in both sports media and athlete development. Their ultimate goal is to help African clubs, federations, and athletes gain recognition and financial support from global brands.

“The goal is to make African sports visible on the global stage while ensuring that athletes receive the recognition they deserve,” Osagie reflects. “It starts with creating a platform that amplifies their voices and tells their stories in an impactful way.”

Through their work with teams like Petro de Luanda and collaborations with organizations such as Afrikicks, AfroBallers is establishing new standards for how African clubs engage with international brands. They believe that the key to success lies in a combination of culture, storytelling, and infrastructure; each element building upon the other to create a sustainable ecosystem where African athletes can thrive.

AfroBallers is, in every sense, a unicorn, not just because of what they do, but because of how they do it: with purpose, pride, and a vision grounded in African excellence. Whether it’s brokering groundbreaking partnerships, spotlighting untold stories, or driving social change through collaborations like Afrikicks, AfroBallers continues to raise the bar for what African sports media can be. As they build an ecosystem where athletes, brands, and communities can thrive together, they’re not just changing perceptions, they’re setting new global standards. In doing so, AfroBallers stands as a beacon of what is possible when culture, storytelling, and strategy unite to empower a continent.

As the regular season comes to an end for the Hillsdale College men’s track and field team, the Chargers did their best to set up a strong push at the NCAA DII Outdoor Championships at the end of May with their performances in Last Chance meets this past weekend.

At least one Charger almost certainly jumped into the national meet field with a massive personal best. Running out in Oregon in a stacked Portland Twilight meet on Saturday, senior Ross Kuhn cut four seconds off his previous best effort in the 1,500m run to place ninth in a field full of Division I athletes and professionals with a time or 3:43.54. That mark is not only a provisional qualifying mark but the 16th best time in NCAA DII this year, virtually locking Kuhn in to his first trip to the NCAA DII Outdoor Championships and into the 20-athlete field for the 1,500m run.

Another athlete competing in Portland, Gabriel Phillips, ran a season best in the 3,000m steeplechase in 9:14.97 to finish fifth.

Hillsdale also had several athletes competing at the Len Paddock Open hosted by the University of Michigan on Friday. Ben Haas, the nation’s top seed in the hammer throw, won the invitational title with a mark of 64.82 meters, a provisional qualifying mark but not an improvement on his NCAA DII-leading throw of 67.21 meters. Mark Masaka took seventh in the 800m run with a time of 1:53.88, and Jackson Childress placed eighth in the discus with a throw of 48.64 meters as well.

The Chargers finished up the weekend on Sunday at the GVSU Last Chance Invite in Allendale, Michigan. Senior Jamahl Burke closed out a strong career at Hillsdale with a third-place finish in the 400m dash (49.20) and a sixth place finish in the 200m dash (22.16), while Childress also took eighth in the discus with a throw of 46.90 meters.

Hillsdale now turns its focus to the NCAA DII Outdoor Championships, scheduled to take place on May 22-24 in Pueblo, Colorado. Hillsdale has four athletes who are in position to make the field — Kuhn, Haas, Cass Dobrowolski and Richie Johnston, and will await the official announcement of the field on NCAA.com tomorrow at 5 p.m.

Photo by Sarah Chappelle