Athletes & Sports (U - Campus Speakers & Headliners)

<p>Sharing his inspiring story of unwavering determination, Nicolas Hamilton helps individuals and organizations overcome obstacles, stay resilient through change, and embrace failure to achieve success.</p><p>Born with cerebral palsy, Nicolas Hamilton was told as a young child he’d spend his life reliant on a wheelchair. Not one to be told he can’t do things, Nicolas endured years of grueling, painful training so that by the age of 17 he could walk completely unaided.

A history-making cultural icon, ballet dancer Misty Copeland shares her inspiring life journey—from living in a motel room with her five siblings to becoming the first Black principal dancer at the prestigious American Ballet Theatre in the company’s 75-year history. 

<p>Sharing insights from her incredible career, Kerri Walsh Jennings inspires audiences to unlock their potential and conquer any challenges standing in their way. </p><p>Kerri Walsh Jennings is a 5 time Olympian, 3 time Olympic gold medalist, 1 time bronze medalist in beach volleyball. She was a 4 time 1st Team All-American at Stanford University where her teams won 2 National Championships (‘96, ‘97) and finished runner-up in ‘99.

<p>Affectionately known as 'Awesome Dawesome,' Dawes was a 10-year member of the U.S. national gymnastics team, a three-time Olympian, and a member of the gold-medal-winning "Magnificent Seven" team at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.

<p>After bringing home the gold and silver medals at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, Laurie Hernandez went on to win the coveted mirror ball trophy on <em>Dancing with the Stars</em>, and to publish two books:<em> I Got This: To Gold</em> <em>and Beyond</em>, in 2017, and a picture book for children,<em> She’s Got This</em>, in 2018. Both were <em>New York Times </em>bestsellers.

<p>Alex Morgan is a World Champion and co-captain of the US Women’s National Team. A blur on the pitch, Alex overwhelms defenders with her graceful yet attacking style, bringing defenses to their knees and fans to their feet.</p><p>A FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion, Olympic Gold Medalist, UEFA Women’s Champions League Champion, and NWSL Champion, Alex is a proven winner at all levels.

<p>After 17 years, two World Championships, two Olympic Gold Medals, and near unparalleled success as a marketing icon, Mia Hamm retired from professional soccer in 2004 as not only the best women’s soccer player in history but also as one of the most important and recognizable female figures in the history of sport.

<p>Two-time World Cup Champion and co-captain of the US Women’s National Soccer Team, Megan Rapinoe is a fan favorite and one of the team’s most technical players.</p><p>A vocal leader on and off the pitch, Megan helped lead the USWNT to the 2019 Women’s World Cup Championship scoring some of the biggest goals of the tournament. Megan took home the tournament’s two top honors – the Golden Boot for top scorer, and the Golden Ball for the best player in the tournament.

<p>Aly Raisman, team captain of the gold medal winning U.S. Olympic Women’s Gymnastics teams in 2012 and 2016, is the second most decorated American gymnast of all-time with six total Olympic medals. </p><p>The most decorated U.S. gymnast at the 2012 Games, Raisman captured the hearts of millions as she became the first American gymnast to win gold in the floor exercise. One of only two U.S.

<p>As the first openly LGBTQ+ professional to play in the NFL, R.K. Russell articulates how truth is essential to not only survive but to thrive.</p><p>In addition to being a professional football player in the NFL, he is also a published poet, writer, and artist. R.K. dedicated his life to football. He learned the responsibility and hard work it took to become a Big Ten Starter, an All-Conference player, and a reliable teammate. Off the field, he began to take his studies more seriously, write long-form creative pieces, and discover his sexuality. R.K.