COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Field Hockey and Classroom Champions are proud to announce a new community-based partnership that will bring five U.S. National Team athletes into classrooms as mentors for the 2026-2027 school year.Through this partnership, students will connect with professional field hockey athletes who share what they have learned on and off the field, helping kids build confidence, perseverance, leadership and teamwork. It is also an opportunity to highlight the role athletes can play beyond competition, while continuing to grow the game of field hockey and invest in youth development.
- Makenna Webster – U.S. Women’s National Team athlete from St. Louis, Mo. and NCAA Division I student athlete at the University of Wisconsin and Ohio State University; gold medalist at the 2026 3 Nations Tournament and earned her first cap in January 2026 against New Zealand
- Annabel Skubisz – Former U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team athlete from Houston, Texas and Division I player at Northwestern University; two time gold medalist at the Junior Pan American Championship and Hockey5s Pan American Cup
- Jenny Rizzo – U.S. Women’s National Team athlete from Hershey, Pa. and Division I player at Penn State University; silver medalist at the Pan American Cup
- Christian DeAngelis – U.S. Men’s National Team athlete from Doylestown, Pa. with multiple international caps representing the United States; silver medalist at the Pan American Cup
- Alberto Montilla – U.S. Men’s National Team athlete from Allen, Texas with multiple international caps representing the United States; silver medalist at the Pan American Cup
Throughout the school year, these athletes will be paired with classrooms through Classroom Champions’ proven K-8 curriculum. Students will hear directly from athletes who understand what it means to set goals, manage pressure, work as a team and keep going when things get tough.
“At USA Field Hockey, we believe our athletes have the power to inspire far beyond competition,” said Simon Hoskins, CEO of USA Field Hockey. “Makenna, Annabel, Jenny, Christian, and Alberto embody the values of leadership, perseverance and service, and their participation with Classroom Champions allows them to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young students. We are proud to see them using their experiences in sport to mentor and motivate the next generation.”
The partnership also creates an opportunity for students to learn more about field hockey while reinforcing that the lessons learned through sport carry far beyond the field
“As Classroom Champions continues to grow across the U.S., this partnership with USA Field Hockey represents a natural next step,” said Seth Rosenzweig, CEO of Classroom Champions. “It gives us the opportunity to reach more classrooms in meaningful ways and having both women’s and men’s athletes involved adds an important layer of representation. When students can see themselves reflected in the people they are learning from, it can shape how they see their own future.”
For Makenna Webster, joining Classroom Champions is an opportunity to make an impact beyond the field.“I’m incredibly grateful to be part of Classroom Champions because it gives me the opportunity to impact students beyond the game,” said Webster, U.S. Women’s National Team Athlete.“Being able to share my experiences, lessons, and challenges helps them build confidence, resilience, and belief in themselves, which is just as important in the classroom and in life as it is in sport.”
To learn more about Classroom Champions, click here: Classroom Champions.
About Classroom Champions
Classroom Champions is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping K–8 students build the confidence, perseverance, and fundamental skills they need to excel and reach their potential in school and beyond. Since 2008, we’ve partnered with Olympic, Paralympic, professional, and collegiate athletes to educate and inspire students across North America. Our unique curriculum blends life skills with elite athlete mentorship, helping students develop a Champion Mindset—one that embraces challenges, fosters perseverance, and invests in personal growth.Headquartered in both Boston, MA, and Calgary, AB, Classroom Champions is committed to creating a future where every student has the tools to find their inner champion. For more information, visit classroomchampions.org and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn at @classroomchampions and X at @classroomchamps.
