Leverage public interest to cultivate resources that accelerate scientific advancements for rare diseases
Western Michigan
Uplifting Athletes Programs
Develops social influencers into leaders that make a positive impact on the rare disease community

Shares the platform of sport with the rare disease cause and raises it as a national priority

Creates special moments that enrich the lives of rare disease patients and their loved ones

Fundraising Initiatives
News & Past Events

Posted on Monday December 14, 2020
As the 2020 college football season winds down, Uplifting Athletes would like to honor the contribution of nine veteran FBS chapter leaders in service to the Rare Disease Community. Thank you to Nolan Cooney of Syracuse, Thomas Ruocchio and Dylan Autenrieth of NC State, Michael Marchese of Illinois, Will Spiers of Clemson, Jack DeFoor of […] Continue Reading »

Posted on Monday December 07, 2020
Penn State became the ninth program in college football to win 900 games with its road triumph over Rutgers. It was the Nittany Lions’ second win in a row in their 134th season. Running the football has been the formula for recent Penn State success offensively, as the Nittany Lions eclipsed 245-plus yards for the […] Continue Reading »

Posted on Thursday December 03, 2020
Each week during the college football season we will feature a player who is an officer for an Uplifting Athletes Chapter for our Beyond the Trophy series. Name: Jake Moertl College: Western Michigan Height, weight, class, position: 6-0, 195-pound, junior, safety High School: Palatine High School in Palatine, Illinois About Jake: The Illinois native found […] Continue Reading »

Posted on Monday November 30, 2020
Baylor snapped its five-game slide in dramatic fashion, using a 30-yard John Mayers field goal as time expired to come from behind and beat Kansas State by a point. The Bears twice overcame nine-point, fourth-quarter deficits and scored the final 10 points, including driving 57 yards in 10 plays to set up the winning kick. […] Continue Reading »

Posted on Monday November 23, 2020
Northwestern is 5-0 overall for the first time since 2015 after knocking off No. 10 Wisconsin. The last time the Wildcats knocked off an AP Top-10 team was 2011 when it beat Nebraska. The last time Northwestern held an AP Top-10 opponent to seven or fewer points was 1967 against Miami. The Wildcats defense produced […] Continue Reading »

Posted on Monday November 16, 2020
Led by redshirt freshman quarterback Isaiah Williams, Illinois twice rallied from 10 points down to win its first game of the season on the road at Rutgers. Williams established a single-game rushing record with 192 yards to surpass the 187 yards AJ Bush Jr. totaled in 2018 against Nebraska. Fighting Illini kicker James McCourt’s third […] Continue Reading »

Posted on Monday November 09, 2020
For the ninth time in program history Notre Dame knocked off the No. 1 team in the country with a thrilling double overtime victory over fellow chapter school Clemson. Notre Dame extended its active win streak to 13 games, the most of any FBS school, and ended Clemson’s 36-game regular-season winning streak. Running back Kyren […] Continue Reading »

Posted on Monday November 02, 2020
Maryland rallied to record its most improbable victory in program history by coming from 17 points down in the fourth quarter to edge Minnesota at home in overtime. Before the Terrapins’ one-point victory over the Golden Gophers, Maryland was 0-71 overall when trailing by 17 points or more in the fourth quarter. Sophomore quarterback Taulia […] Continue Reading »

Posted on Thursday October 15, 2020
Each week during the college football season we will feature a player who is an officer for an Uplifting Athletes Chapter for our Beyond the Trophy series. Name: Zaire Barnes College: Western Michigan University Height, weight, class, position: 6-3, 225 pounds, junior, linebacker High School: Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein, Illinois About Zaire: The […] Continue Reading »

Posted on Monday June 29, 2020
Nearly 30 million Americans are living with a rare disease and COVID-19 continues to present a myriad of challenges that is not only impacting the patients but their families and caregivers as well. At the top of the list is reduced access to vital medical care which, in turn, has exacerbated already existing challenges. Among […] Continue Reading »
Chapter Leadership
Current Chapter Leaders

Zaire Barnes
President

Jake Moertl
Vice President