In a bold move against rising antisemitism, the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism (FCAS) has launched the Blue Square Athlete Ambassador Program, uniting six Jewish NCAA athletes under a new NIL initiative. Officially introduced on July 16, this pioneering effort aims to empower student-athletes to raise awareness, fight hate, and promote unity through personal stories and leadership. With antisemitic attitudes growing alarmingly across the U.S., this timely program blends sports, identity, and purpose—spotlighting courage, resilience, and the power of voice in a divided era.

📌 STORY HIGHLIGHTS READ BOX

• Six Jewish NCAA athletes signed to FCAS’s Blue Square NIL Ambassador Program

• Program officially launched July 16, 2025, by Foundation to Combat Antisemitism

• Founded in 2019 by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft

• Goal: Fight rising antisemitic sentiments, especially among youth

• Student-athletes from D-I to D-III divisions involved

• Focus: Advocacy, leadership, identity, and community-building through sports

Amid growing concerns about antisemitism across the United States—especially among younger populations—a group of six Jewish student-athletes is stepping up to meet the moment. Spearheading this stand is Liv Shumbres, a track and field athlete from the College of Charleston, who, along with five peers, has partnered with The Foundation to Combat Antisemitism (FCAS). Together, they form the first-ever class of the Blue Square Athlete Ambassador Program, launched under the FCAS’s new Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) initiative.

This effort is not merely about branding or publicity. It’s about reclaiming the narrative and using personal platforms to counter stereotypes, misinformation, and long-standing societal bias.

When Liv Shumbres first experienced antisemitic remarks online, they were not blatant or threatening—but subtle, veiled in sarcasm and ignorance. Still, they were enough to plant a seed: something had to change. For Shumbres, the opportunity to help lead that change came in the form of a unique partnership.

“This is about being something bigger than a brand,” Shumbres said, reflecting on why she joined the Blue Square program.

“It’s about impacting everyday lives, especially for someone like me who is Jewish. I wanted to raise awareness and speak authentically about who I am, share my story, and spark real conversations with people around me.”

The initiative, launched on July 16, is a first-of-its-kind program developed by FCAS—founded by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft in 2019—and brings together Jewish student-athletes from universities across the NCAA spectrum. From Division I institutions to Division III colleges, the six participants are unified by a shared goal: using their public visibility to stand against hate.

Joining Shumbres in this pioneering cohort are Meyer Shapiro (Cornell wrestling), Ethan Hott (Stanford baseball), Riley Weiss (Columbia women’s basketball), Ze’ev Remer (Cal Lutheran men’s basketball), and Alan Mashensky (NYU basketball).

Adam Katz, president of FCAS, believes the program could reshape how NIL deals are approached in college sports.

“We’re excited about being pioneers in this space,” Katz told USA TODAY Sports.
“This isn’t just about elevating individual brands. It’s about using the NIL model to create tangible social benefit. We hope this becomes a new template.”

Since stepping into his leadership role at FCAS this past May, Katz made this pilot initiative a top priority. The urgency behind the program is supported by troubling research: FCAS data reveals that 25% of U.S. adults currently express antisemitic attitudes—a 10% increase in just 18 months. The situation is reportedly worse among young adults, fueled largely by misinformation and lack of education.

In response, the Blue Square program doesn’t just aim to spotlight antisemitism. It seeks to reshape the conversation entirely—emphasizing empathy, inclusion, and active dialogue.

“This is about helping these young athletes grow into leaders,” Katz added.
“It’s about showing others how they, too, can build empathy and connection in an increasingly divided society.”

Three of the six athletes—Remer, Hott, and Shumbres—shared with USA TODAY Sports what personally motivated them to become part of this effort.

For Ze’ev Remer, the decision came from a place of concern and courage.

“It’s scary,” he said. “It’s scary to be a Jewish person and be openly Jewish.”
“You see people getting shot in the streets, protests erupting everywhere. If I can be that one light—showing that I’m not afraid to be who I am—it gives hope to my community.”

Ethan Hott, who plays baseball at Stanford and is the only Jewish player on the team, emphasized that recognition wasn’t the purpose.

“Any attention that comes from this is secondary,” Hott said.
“We’re not trying to change anyone’s deeply held beliefs. But we do want to show that even though we make up such a small portion of the world’s population, we’re doing incredible things.”

“It’s not about spreading hate,” he added.
“It’s about excellence, about thriving in whatever we choose to do—just like everyone else.”

For Shumbres, the motivation came from a deep sense of responsibility and the desire to lead by example. She sees her platform not only as an athlete, but as a communicator—a tool for advocacy and growth.

“Antisemitism is all over the world right now, unfortunately,” she said.
“But I can use my platform to bring awareness to that and to show younger people that it’s okay to be Jewish. You don’t have to silence yourself just because others might be uncomfortable.”

Her message to others is simple but powerful:

“It’s okay to stand up. I am unapologetically Jewish and I’m proud of that.”

That pride doesn’t ignore the challenges—it rises above them. She says the Blue Square initiative has helped her channel the negativity she has faced into something constructive and affirming.

“Rather than focusing on the negative,” Shumbres said, “let’s stand up for what’s right.”
“Let’s make this a thing of positivity going forward. Let’s grow from it and introduce others to that light as well.”

The Blue Square NIL initiative is still in its early stages, but its aim is ambitious: to reshape the public perception of Jewish identity in college athletics and beyond. Through storytelling, education, and open advocacy, these six athletes aren’t just wearing a title—they’re redefining what it means to lead.

As the Blue Square Athlete Ambassador Program takes root, it signals a powerful intersection of identity, activism, and sport. In a time marked by rising antisemitism and social division, these six Jewish student-athletes stand as symbols of resilience and purpose—using their platforms not just to compete, but to connect, educate, and inspire. Through the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism’s bold NIL initiative, the message is clear: visibility matters, voices matter, and in the face of hate, standing proud becomes the most powerful victory of all.

We appreciate you taking the time to read our most recent article! We appreciate your opinions and would be delighted to hear them. We value your opinions as we work hard to make improvements and deliver material that you find interesting.

Post a Comment:

In the space provided for comments below, please share your ideas, opinions, and suggestions. We can better understand your interests thanks to your input, which also guarantees that the material we offer will appeal to you. Get in Direct Contact with Us: Please use our “Contact Us” form if you would like to speak with us or if you have any special questions. We are open to questions, collaborations, and, of course, criticism. To fill out our contact form, click this link.

Stay Connected:

Don’t miss out on future updates and articles.