A life of service is not always about doing something huge or getting recognition for it. I think a lot of the time it is about consistently showing up for people, helping where you can, and trying to make a positive impact over time. That is something I have tried to do through sports, mentoring younger athletes, and the way I carry myself in my community. For the past two years, I coached at my old high school completely for free because I genuinely wanted to help. I was already busy balancing college athletics, school, and everything else in my life, but I still made time for it because I understood how important guidance can be for younger players. A lot of those kids just need somebody who believes in them, pushes them, and helps them stay focused on the right things. Over time, coaching became more than just helping at practices or games. It became about mentorship, leadership, and being somebody younger athletes could learn from. Recently, I was hired as a full time JV coach, and that opportunity means a lot to me because it showed me that the time and energy I gave without expecting anything in return actually mattered. I never started coaching because I wanted recognition or money. I did it because I enjoy helping young athletes grow both on and off the field. Seeing younger players gain confidence, improve as athletes, and start believing in themselves is one of the most rewarding feelings I have experienced. I think sports can teach life lessons that go far beyond the game itself. Discipline, accountability, confidence, and perseverance are all things that athletes carry with them outside of sports too. I want to help younger players understand that their future is bigger than just football. Sports can open doors, but only if they stay focused academically and personally as well. That is something I try to emphasize as a coach because I know how easy it is for young athletes to only focus on the athletic side and overlook everything else. My faith also plays a role in how I approach service. I believe helping others and giving back is important, especially when you have the ability to positively influence younger people. I try to lead by example through my actions, work ethic, and the way I treat people. To me, service is about consistency and being dependable even when nobody is watching. As a college student studying marketing, I also plan to use my education to continue helping others in the future. I want to continue mentoring and coaching young athletes while also helping them understand opportunities outside of sports. A lot of kids need guidance when it comes to recruiting, networking, and preparing for life after athletics, and I want to help bridge that gap for them. Overall, I believe I embody a life of service by investing my time into helping others grow. Whether it is through coaching, mentorship, or simply encouraging younger athletes to believe in themselves, I want to continue making a positive impact. Being able to serve others through leadership and guidance is something I take pride in, and it is something I plan to continue doing throughout my life.

I am currently a college student athlete studying marketing, but one thing that has become really important to me over the past few years is mentorship and helping younger athletes. I do not necessarily see myself becoming a traditional classroom educator, but I do see myself teaching and impacting young people through coaching. Sports have taught me a lot about discipline, confidence, accountability, and leadership, and I want to pass those lessons down to the next generation. As a Black male athlete, I understand how important representation and guidance can be for younger kids. A lot of young athletes grow up with talent but without enough direction or support. Sometimes they just need someone who has already been through the process to help guide them and keep them focused. That is a big reason why coaching became important to me. Being around younger athletes made me realize how much influence coaches can have beyond the game itself. What I enjoy most is not even just the football side. It is helping younger athletes build confidence in themselves and helping them think about their future. I know from experience that sports can open doors, but only if you handle things the right way academically and personally too. A lot of athletes only hear about the flashy side of sports, but there is a lot more that goes into putting yourself in a good position for college and life after sports. One thing I really want to help with in the future is the recruiting process. I have seen how confusing and stressful recruiting can be for athletes and their families, especially for kids who may not have much guidance. There are a lot of talented players who miss opportunities simply because they do not know how the process works or do not have somebody helping them navigate it. I want to help young athletes avoid that situation. Whether it is helping them communicate with coaches, understand what schools are looking for, or just helping them stay focused academically, I want to be somebody they can learn from. I think a lot of younger athletes also need somebody who can be honest with them. Not every player is going to go professional, and I think it is important to teach young men that their identity cannot only be based on sports. Education, character, and discipline matter too. I want to help players understand that football can create opportunities, but who they are as people matters just as much. Being a Black male in that role is important to me too. Representation matters, especially for younger athletes who are trying to figure out who they want to become. I want younger players to see somebody who understands them, believes in them, and wants the best for them both on and off the field. Overall, even though I may not become a traditional educator, I still plan on making a positive impact through teaching and mentorship in my own way. Coaching gives me the opportunity to help young men grow, guide them through important stages of life, and put them in the best position possible for their future.

Growing up with a single mother shaped a lot of who I am today. My parents divorced when I was around five years old, so from a young age I saw my mom take on a lot of responsibility while still making sure I had everything I needed. My dad has always been very present in my life, so I never want it to sound like he was absent, because he definitely was not. But at the same time, living mostly with my mom allowed me to really see how strong and independent she was firsthand. One thing that always stood out to me was how hard she worked without ever really complaining about it. Looking back now that I am older, I realize there were probably stressful moments financially and emotionally that I did not fully understand as a kid. Even with all that though, she still made sure I stayed focused on school, sports, and becoming the best version of myself. She always pushed me to stay disciplined and never settle for less than what I was capable of. I think seeing her handle everything on her own made me mature earlier than a lot of people my age. I learned pretty quickly that life is not always perfect and that you have to keep moving forward even when things are difficult. Watching her balance work, parenting, and everyday responsibilities showed me what consistency really looks like. She never made excuses and always found a way to make things work, and I think that mindset rubbed off on me over time. Another thing that shaped me was seeing my mom stay independent. She never remarried and always carried herself with confidence and self respect. Growing up around that taught me a lot about standing on your own and building your own future. I think it also taught me how important stability and leadership are in a family. Seeing her continue to push through life with strength made me want to carry myself the same way when challenges come my way. Being a college athlete connects a lot to how I was raised. Sports require discipline, consistency, and mental toughness every single day. There are early mornings, hard practices, workouts, and moments where you are tired or frustrated, but you still have to keep showing up. I think growing up watching my mom push through life no matter what helped prepare me for that mindset. It taught me how important work ethic is and how far consistency can take you over time. My upbringing also made me appreciate opportunities more. Whether it is school, football, or life in general, I know none of it is guaranteed. Seeing how much effort my parents put into helping me get where I am today motivates me to take advantage of every opportunity I get and continue pushing myself toward my goals. Overall, growing up with a single mother taught me resilience, independence, and discipline. Even though my parents divorced when I was young, I was still surrounded by love and support. Watching my mom continue to handle life with strength and confidence shaped me into the person I am today and continues to motivate me moving forward.

I think one thing that makes me different is that I have always had a mix of interests that normally do not go together. Most people expect me to only care about sports because I play college football, but outside of that, a lot of my time goes into business, branding, and creativity. For a while, that honestly felt awkward because I never really fit into one category. Around athletes, I was talking about business ideas and my clothing brand. Around business people, most of them could not relate to the athlete side of my life. It felt like I was always balancing different worlds. As I got older though, I realized that is actually what makes me stand out. Football has shaped a lot of who I am. The discipline, consistency, and work ethic that comes with being a college athlete affects my everyday life. My schedule is built around practice, workouts, meetings, recovery, and school. You learn quickly that if you are not disciplined, you fall behind. That mindset carried over into everything else I do. Outside of football, I spend a lot of time working on my clothing brand, Eterna. It is a Christian clothing brand inspired by the verse John 3:36. Building the brand made me realize I enjoy creating things and turning ideas into something real. A lot of people only see the finished product when it comes to clothing brands, but there is so much that goes into it behind the scenes. I spend time thinking about designs, marketing, social media, photoshoots, and ways to grow it. Sometimes while everyone else is relaxing or wasting time scrolling on their phones, I am thinking about what I can improve next. At first I thought caring about all these different things made me different in a bad way. I felt like I was supposed to fit into one role, either athlete or entrepreneur, but not both. Over time I realized having different interests actually gave me an advantage. Sports taught me discipline and leadership, while business taught me creativity and how to think outside the box. Both sides helped me become more confident in who I am. Another thing that makes me stand out is that I genuinely enjoy building things from the ground up. Most people like the idea of success, but they do not enjoy the process that comes before it. I actually enjoy learning as I go, trying new ideas, and figuring things out even when they do not work the first time. Building a brand while balancing school and football is not always easy, but it taught me patience and consistency. I also think my faith plays a role in who I am. I try to stay grounded and focused on what matters long term instead of getting distracted by temporary things. My faith gives me confidence in myself and reminds me to stay true to who I am while chasing my goals. Overall, I think what makes me stand out is that I am comfortable being different now. I do not feel the need to fit into one box anymore. The same things that once felt awkward about me are now the things helping shape my future.

My faith has played a big role in my life, especially as I have gotten older and started to understand things more for myself. It is not something I try to force on people, but it is something that keeps me grounded and gives me direction. There have been a lot of moments where things did not go how I planned, and my faith helped me stay patient and keep going instead of getting discouraged. Being a college athlete, my life can get busy and stressful. Balancing school, football, and everything else I have going on is not always easy. There are days where I am tired, days where things are not going my way, and days where I question if I am doing enough. In those moments, my faith helps me stay focused and reminds me that everything happens for a reason. It keeps me from getting too high or too low and helps me stay consistent. My faith is also a big part of why I started my clothing brand, Eterna. It is a Christian clothing brand, but I wanted it to feel real and something people would actually wear every day. The name Eterna comes from John 3:36, and that message stuck with me. It is a reminder that there is something bigger than just what is happening right now. Building this brand is not just about business for me, it is also about representing something I believe in and staying true to that as I grow. I think faith also helps with how I treat people and how I carry myself. In business, it is easy for people to cut corners or only focus on money, but I want to move with integrity. I want to be someone people can trust and respect. My faith reminds me to stay honest, stay disciplined, and do things the right way even when it is not the easiest option. Looking forward, I know my faith will continue to play a role in my career. Whether I am building my brand or working in business, I want to stay grounded and not lose who I am in the process. There will be challenges, setbacks, and moments where things do not go as planned, but I believe my faith will help me stay focused and keep pushing forward. To me, success is not just about money or status. It is about being able to look at what I have built and know I stayed true to myself while doing it. It is about taking care of my family, creating opportunities, and making a positive impact on others. My faith is what keeps me aligned with that and reminds me what matters.

I am currently studying marketing because I know business is not just about having a good idea, it is about knowing how to get people to believe in it. I chose marketing because it teaches me how to build something from the ground up, how to promote it, and how to actually get people to buy into what I am creating. I feel like it is one of the most useful things I can learn for what I want to do in life. I have always been the type of person that wants to have something of my own. Right now I am working on my clothing brand, Eterna, and that is really what pushed me even more into business. It is a Christian clothing brand, but I am trying to make it something people actually want to wear, not just something they see and forget about. The name Eterna comes from the verse John 3:36, which talks about eternal life, and that idea stuck with me. I am not just thinking about designs, I am thinking about how to get people to wear it, how to grow it, and how to turn it into something real. It made me realize that there is a lot more that goes into it than people think, and that is why I take learning business seriously. The reason I want to go the entrepreneurial route is because I want to create my own path. I do not want to rely on one job or one opportunity. I want to build something that can grow and open doors for me and other people too. I like the idea of being able to take risks and bet on myself. I know it is not easy, but I would rather try to build something than wonder what would have happened if I never did. I believe I will be successful because I am consistent and I do not quit when things get hard. Being a college athlete plays a big role in that. My daily life is already built around discipline, showing up every day, and putting in work whether I feel like it or not. A lot of people get excited in the beginning, but they fall off when things get slow or difficult. I feel like I am built to keep going through that part. I am also already taking action instead of just talking about it. I have started working on my brand and learning as I go. I know I am not going to have everything figured out right away, but I am willing to learn, adjust, and keep improving. I think that is what separates people who actually succeed from people who just have ideas. To me, a successful life is about more than just money. Of course I want to be financially stable and take care of my family, but I also want freedom and the ability to live life on my own terms. I want to build something that I can be proud of and something that can last. I also want to be able to help other people do the same, whether that is through opportunities or just showing them what is possible.

Sports have been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember. Playing college football has really shaped who I am. My daily life revolves around it, early mornings, practice, lifting, meetings, and staying on top of school. It is not always easy, but it has taught me discipline, consistency, and how to push through when I do not feel like it. That mindset carries over into everything I do, and it is a big reason why I want to stay involved in sports long term. What really made me realize I want a future in sports was not just playing. Every Christmas and Thanksgiving break, I go back home and help coach at my old high school as an assistant. That has honestly been one of the most meaningful parts of my journey. Being able to teach younger players, help them improve, and just be someone they can look up to showed me that sports are bigger than just the game. Coaching gave me a different perspective. It is not just about making plays or winning games, it is about helping people grow. A lot of those kids are trying to figure things out just like I was, and being able to guide them, even in small ways, means a lot. I have built real relationships with those players, and seeing them get better and gain confidence is something I take pride in. Because of that, I have been given a possible opportunity to coach JV full time in the future, which is something I never really thought about before. That opportunity made me realize I could make an impact in sports in more ways than just playing. Whether it is coaching, mentoring, or being around the game in a different role, I know I want to stay connected to it. I am also a marketing major, and I have been working on building my own clothing brand that is influenced by sports culture. I want to combine business and sports by creating something athletes can connect with and feel confident in. I am interested in sports marketing too, helping athletes build their brands and grow their platforms. Athletes today are more than just players, and I want to be part of that side of the game as well. In the future, I see myself using everything I have learned from playing, coaching, and studying business to make a real impact. I want to help athletes grow, give back to younger players, and build something that lasts. Sports have given me a lot, and I want to give that back in my own way.

My name is Boyd Brown, and I’m currently a college student-athlete pursuing a degree in marketing while playing football as a wide receiver. Being both a student and an athlete has shaped who I am in a big way. It has taught me discipline, accountability, and how to stay focused on long-term goals even when things get challenging. Family has always been an important part of my life. I was raised with values centered around hard work, faith, and staying committed to what you start. My family has always supported me, whether it was through sports, school, or my personal goals. At the same time, I’ve learned that a lot of success comes from pushing yourself and staying consistent, even when no one is watching. That mindset has helped me grow both on and off the field. My education so far has been a journey of learning not just in the classroom, but through experience. As a marketing major, I’ve developed a strong interest in business and entrepreneurship. I’ve always been someone who wants to build something of my own, which led me to start working on my own clothing brand. Through that process, I’ve learned about branding, promotion, and what it takes to turn an idea into something real. Balancing school, football, and building a brand has not been easy, but it has taught me valuable lessons about time management and discipline. Football has played a huge role in shaping my character. As a wide receiver, I’ve learned how important preparation, focus, and teamwork are. Every day requires effort, whether it’s practice, lifting, or studying film. The competition pushes me to be better, not just physically but mentally as well. It has also taught me how to handle adversity, stay motivated, and continue working even when things don’t go my way. Looking ahead, my goal is to continue developing both academically and athletically. I plan to graduate with my degree in marketing and pursue opportunities in business, while also continuing to grow my clothing brand into something successful. I want to build a brand that represents confidence, purpose, and positivity, while also creating opportunities for others in the future. At the same time, I want to use what I’ve learned through sports—discipline, resilience, and teamwork—to succeed in whatever path I take. Overall, I see myself as someone who is driven, focused, and always looking to improve. Whether it’s in the classroom, on the field, or in business, I’m committed to putting in the work to reach my goals. This scholarship would help support me as I continue balancing my education, athletics, and future ambitions while striving to make the most out of every opportunity in front of me.

Sustainability should be a priority in my field because business and marketing have a direct impact on how products are made, sold, and consumed. Companies influence what people buy and how often they buy it, especially in industries like clothing where trends change quickly and overconsumption is common. Because of this, businesses have a responsibility to think about how their decisions affect the environment. If companies continue to focus only on profit without considering long-term impact, it can lead to waste, pollution, and damage that affects future generations. As a marketing major and someone building my own clothing brand, I’ve started to realize how important sustainability really is. The fashion industry is known for producing large amounts of waste, especially with fast fashion where clothes are made cheaply and thrown away quickly. I don’t want to contribute to that cycle. Instead, I want to build a brand that focuses on quality over quantity, creating pieces that last longer and have meaning behind them. I believe that when people feel connected to what they’re wearing, they’re less likely to treat it as disposable. Marketing plays a big role in this as well. It’s not just about selling products, but also about shaping how people think. In the future, I want to use marketing to promote smarter buying habits, like choosing quality items, supporting brands with ethical practices, and understanding the impact of overconsumption. I think businesses have the power to make sustainability more normal, instead of something that feels like an extra step. With my own brand, I plan to focus on more sustainable approaches where I can. That could include using higher-quality materials that last longer, producing in smaller batches to avoid overproduction, and being intentional about designs instead of constantly dropping new items just to follow trends. Even small decisions like packaging and shipping methods can make a difference over time. I know I may not be able to do everything perfectly at the start, but being aware and making better choices step by step is important. I also see myself always continuing to learn more about sustainability as I grow in my career. Whether I work for another company or continue building my own, I want to be someone who considers both business success and environmental impact. I believe the future of business will involve balancing profit with responsibility, and I want to be part of that shift.

My name is Boyd Brown, and I’m a college student-athlete currently studying marketing with a strong interest in business and entrepreneurship. I’ve always been someone who likes to build things and create opportunities, which is a big reason why I decided to pursue a degree in business. Growing up, I realized that business is one of the most powerful ways to turn ideas into something real that can impact people and communities. One of my biggest goals right now is building my own clothing brand. The brand I’m working on focuses on faith and streetwear, combining fashion with positive messages that encourage confidence and purpose. Through this process, I’ve started to understand how much goes into building a business—from marketing and branding to leadership and financial planning. Studying business in college is helping me learn the skills I need to take my ideas to the next level. Being a college athlete has also shaped my mindset in a lot of ways. Playing football has taught me discipline, time management, and the value of hard work. Balancing school, athletics, and personal goals requires a lot of focus and consistency. Those same qualities translate directly into business, where success often comes from persistence and learning from failure. Football has helped prepare me for that type of challenge. I chose to major in business because I want to create opportunities not just for myself, but also for others. Long term, my goal is to grow my clothing brand into a successful company while also working in the business world to continue learning and expanding my knowledge. I want to build something that represents creativity, hard work, and belief in yourself. Although I was not personally in the foster care system, I recognize the challenges that many young people face when they don’t have the same support systems as others. Programs and scholarships that support underserved students can make a huge difference in helping someone pursue education and build a stable future. I respect the mission behind this scholarship because education can truly change someone’s life and give them opportunities that might not have seemed possible before. After graduating, I plan to continue pursuing entrepreneurship while working in marketing or business development. I want to gain experience in the business world while also continuing to build my own company and brand. My ultimate goal is to become a successful entrepreneur who can inspire others to pursue their passions and create their own opportunities. Education is a powerful tool that opens doors and expands possibilities. Through my studies in business, my experience as an athlete, and my drive to build something meaningful, I hope to create a future where I can make a positive impact through both business and leadership.