Athletes & Sports (U - Campus Speakers & Headliners)

Straight from social media, streaming shows, and top news outlets, host the biggest campus speakers & headliners in pop culture in person or via a virtual event. They captivate audiences by sharing a relevant yet creative perspective.

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Athletes & Sports

Sarah Thomas

<p>Sarah Thomas changed the game in the world’s most quintessential male-dominated sport—football—when she became the first female NFL official. Now she’s inspiring others to dream big and believe anything is possible.</p><p>She officiated her first game September 13, 2015, between the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans. Today, Sarah Thomas’s hat, whistle, and flag are on display at the NFL Hall of Fame and serve as a testament to this historic achievement.

Michael Sam

<p>Michael Sam encourages you to boldly and courageously pursue your dreams and define your success with his impassioned personal story of resilience over life&#39;s challenges.</p><p>A University of Missouri football star primed for an early round pick in the 2014 NFL draft, Michael’s talents on the field were nearly sidelined when he came out as gay during an ESPN interview. While his revelation sent shockwaves through the sports world and resulted in a last round pick by the St.

Shawn Johnson East

<p>Since she was a little girl, Shawn Johnson East dreamed of competing for the United States in the Olympics. By 2008, when she was named to the US Olympics Gymnastics Team, she was already a two-time National Champion, and a World AA Champion.</p>

<p>At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Johnson East helped establish the United States as one of the most talented teams in the world, winning the individual gold medal in the balance beam, and three silver medals in the individual all-around, floor exercise, and team categories.</p>

Briana Scurry

<p>One of the best female goalkeepers of all time, Hall of Famer and ESPY Award-winner Briana Scurry shares stories from her trailblazing journey, empowering audiences to strive for excellence and stay resilient, no matter the obstacles.</p><p>Briana Scurry is widely recognized as one of the world’s most talented and influential goalkeepers. Scurry’s 173 international appearances as one of the first African American and openly gay professional athletes championed equality and diversified professional soccer.

Ibtihaj Muhammad

<p>Ibtihaj Muhammad is an entrepreneur, activist, speaker and Olympic medalist in fencing. A 2016 Olympic bronze medalist, 5-time Senior World medalist and World Champion, in 2016, Ibtihaj became the first American woman to compete in the Olympics in hijab. </p><p>Ibtihaj was a 3-time All American at Duke University where she graduated with a dual major in International Relations and African Studies.