CLEVELAND – The National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals (N4A) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Wilma Rudolph Student-Athlete Achievement Award. This distinguished award honors student-athletes who have overcome significant personal, academic, and/or emotional challenges to achieve academic success while competing in intercollegiate athletics. These individuals exemplify the true spirit of perseverance, determination, and resilience.

"As President of N4A, it is both a privilege and a heartfelt responsibility to recognize the 2025 recipients of the Wilma Rudolph Award," said Dr. Ron Moses, N4A President and Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director at Old Dominion University. "Their stories are powerful reminders of why we do this work. They are proof that with the right support and an unwavering spirit, student-athletes can rise above even the most difficult circumstances. These individuals not only inspire their peers and those of us in the profession, but they also embody the legacy of Wilma Rudolph—an Olympic champion who overcame polio and poverty to become a global icon of excellence and resilience.

The 2025 Wilma Rudolph recipients are Brian Battie, Auburn University, Chloe Barnthouse, Murray State University, Nathan Demian, Ohio State University, Malie Follet, University of Notre Dame, and Sina Sinbari, Fairleigh Dickinson University. These five student-athletes will be honored in conjunction with the 2025 N4A Convention on June 9.

Brian Battie, Auburn University

Brian Battie is the epitome of facing adversity and overcoming it, through perseverance and unwavering belief in himself. A year after suffering a traumatic brain injury and enduring intensive physical therapy, he continues to chase his dreams of being a college graduate. From the football field to the classroom, his resilience in tough times has always carried him and brings him to a new journey where he has overcome learning to be himself again. A fighter mentality with a smile that can light up a room, he has conquered more mountains than anyone should have to during the last year. Brian and his relentless pursuit of becoming something greater every day, is someone who stands to inspire generations that come after him.

Chloe Barnthouse, Murray State University

Chloe Barnthouse's journey is filled with struggles, passion, and resilience. Encouraged by her parents to dream big, she chose soccer as her focus in high school, but faced several personal challenges, including her parents' divorce, mental health struggles, and the loss of a loved one to suicide. Soccer became a source of strength and purpose for Chloe.

During college, she faced hurdles, including coming to terms with her sexuality and the challenges that came with it. In her freshman year, she had a standout season in soccer but soon after suffered a devastating knee injury, leading to a year-long recovery. As she started to regain her form, she was hit with a new, life-altering diagnosis—Crohn's disease. This disease required surgery and significant lifestyle changes, leaving Chloe questioning her future in soccer.

Despite the physical and emotional toll, she chose to fight through the pain, using her family and teammates as a support system. Even as she faced more setbacks—another injury and surgery—Chloe continued to persevere. She learned to redefine her identity, shifting from being solely an athlete to embracing a new purpose centered around her health and well-being. Her journey highlights the importance of resilience, self-love, and determination in the face of adversity.

The story ultimately showcases Chloe's unwavering commitment to rise above her struggles, demonstrating that she is not defined by the challenges she has faced but by the strength she has shown in overcoming them.

Nathan Demian, Ohio State University

Nathan "Nate" Demian is a dedicated student-athlete at The Ohio State University, excelling in both academics and athletics. He is pursuing a Computer and Information Science degree with a concentration in Software Engineering while also following a pre-med track, demonstrating his ambition and work ethic. As an international student from a family of doctors, his upbringing has strongly influenced his academic and career goals. 

On the soccer field, Nate is a leader and a stabilizing force for his team. After missing the 2023 season due to injury, he returned as a starting defender in 2025, helping Ohio State win the Big Ten regular season and tournament titles, securing the No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. However, tragedy struck when he was shot by a stray bullet while celebrating with his brother, Joel, sidelining him from the College Cup and disrupting his finals. 

Despite this life-threatening injury, Nate insisted on returning to campus and staying on track academically, coordinating with professors, student advocacy services, and doctors to continue his education. His resilience is a testament to his determination and perseverance. His brother, Joel, inspired by Nate's strength and Ohio State's supportive community, transferred to the university, emphasizing the importance of family in Nate's journey. 

Nate's story of overcoming adversity, staying committed to his education, and serving as a leader on and off the field makes him an exceptional candidate for the Wilma Rudolph Student-Athlete Achievement Award. He embodies perseverance, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to success.

Malie Follet, University of Notre Dame

Malie Follet's story is one of extraordinary resilience, perseverance, and triumph over adversity. From a childhood marked by domestic violence and instability, Malie faced challenges that could have easily defined her future. Instead, she chose to rise above them. After finding safety with supportive guardians, she channeled her determination into academics and athletics, earning an opportunity to play lacrosse at the University of Notre Dame. Despite the rigorous demands of an engineering degree and the emotional weight of her past, Malie refused to give up. She worked tirelessly to excel in her studies, overcoming academic struggles and proving her strength both in the classroom and on the field. Through the unwavering support of mentors, teammates, and family, she discovered a sense of belonging and purpose. Today, Malie is not just breaking cycles of trauma—she is paving the way for a future defined by hope and success. Her journey is a testament to the power of resilience, the importance of community, and the belief that no obstacle is too great to overcome.

Sina Sinbari, Fairleigh Dickinson University

Sina Sinbari of Fairleigh Dickinson University is a Senior Men's Volleyball Outside Hitter for Fairleigh Dickinson University's Metropolitan Campus. Without even visiting campus, he intended to transfer to FDU in Fall 2022 from University of Charleston in West Virginia to join a men's volleyball program in its second year. Two weeks before Sina's arrival, Coach Karl France let the Athletics Department know that Sina was having some tests done as he was having unusual abdominal pain and some weight loss. Sina called Coach France to give the news that he had been diagnosed with desmoplastic sarcoma, an extremely rare aggressive cancer that produces tumors in the abdomen and pelvic area affecting fewer than 100 people a year. The prognosis for desmoplastic sarcoma is poor with an overall survival rate of 30-55% and 5-year survival rate of 15%.

Sina's treatment started at what was supposed to be six rounds of chemotherapy to 27 and counting. Sina finally joined the Knights on campus in January 2025, becoming one of the greatest cheerleaders for the men's volleyball program and all of FDU's sports. He entered his first match as a Knight on January 15, 2025 to the cheers of Bogota Savings Bank Center and recorded his first kill on that first check in. While Sina continues his treatments at the University of California Los Angeles, he still continues early morning team practices following redeye flights while still exuding and sharing his positive energy with all who come in contact with him.

About N4A: N4A, which has been in existence since 1975, is a diverse educational service and professional non-profit organization. Membership of N4A includes academic support and student services personnel who are committed to enhancing opportunities for academic, athletics and personal success for student-athletes. For more information on N4A, visit www.nfoura.org. N4A is administered by NACDA, which is in its 60th year. For more information on NACDA and the 19 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.