Athletes – Bullycide

NARRATIVE SERIES

Athletes Can End Bullying Culture

When the people students admire most stand up for the most vulnerable, everything shifts. Athletes don’t just play games — they set the standard for how people treat each other.

Leadership

Lead with courage.

Protection

Stand up. Speak out.

Culture Shift

Change norms. Change lives.

Why Athletes?

Athletes hold unique influence in schools. When they visibly include, speak up, and protect, they set the tone for how everyone treats each other. Athlete leadership doesn’t just inspire — it reshapes culture.

Social Capital

Athletes have the reach and respect to influence peers across every group.

Visible Leadership

When athletes lead with integrity, students follow and norms change.

Culture Change

Small acts by visible leaders create safer, stronger school cultures.

A PROVEN MODEL

The SIMBA Project

Created by Mental Health Services of North Carolina, The SIMBA Project deploys student-athletes as anti-bullying ambassadors in schools.

Tier 1

Campus Athlete-Ambassadors

A trained team of student-athletes who lead by example and help build a culture of respect and inclusion.

Lunch Buddy program (2x/week)
Classroom advocacy and positive leadership
Peer encouragement and inclusion
Incident support and reporting/escalation (through school-approved channels)
Social promotion of a positive school culture

Safety/Boundaries Disclaimer

Note: Athlete-Ambassadors are not security and are not expected to physically intervene. When a situation is unsafe or escalating, they are trained to seek help and follow the school’s reporting process.

Tier 2

Athlete Training Pipeline (Open Enrollment)

Open to all athletes. Provides anti-bullying training and a clear pathway into Ambassador roles based on readiness and fit.

Tier 3

Elite Mentors (College & Pro)

Elevate impact through mentorship, media visibility, and community events at scale.

How it works

We recruit, train, and support athlete-leaders through a structured program built for consistency, accountability, and long-term engagement—so students see what respect looks like in real life.

Projected Impact

Conservative 10-year projections from the SIMBA model show transformative potential.

20–25%

Reduction in bullying incidents

10–15%

Reduction in youth suicide attempts

15–20%

Reduction in juvenile crime

15–20%

Reduction in gang recruitment

10–15%

Reduction in substance abuse initiation

$4–$7

Return for every $1 invested

How You Can Support Athlete-Powered Change

Schools

Bring athlete ambassador programs to your school and build a culture of belonging and safety.

Athletes

Use your platform, voice, and influence to stand up, speak out, and protect others.

Sponsors & Businesses

Fund stipends, curriculum, and events that fuel athlete-led anti-bullying programs.

Parents & Community

Advocate for athlete-led anti-bullying programs and support safer schools for every student.

Impact in Action:

The Athlete Advantage

1. Recruit

Identify and invite student-athletes who lead with character and care.

2. Train

Provide training on empathy, advocacy, bystander action, and reporting.

3. Show Up

Athletes are visible — at lunches, in classrooms, on teams, and in the community.

4. Protect

They intervene, support peers, and create environments where everyone belongs.

When Athletes Lead, Schools Change.

Learn how schools, students, and communities can bring athlete-powered protection and belonging to campus.

Find Resources

Access toolkits, guides, and curriculum to start or grow your program.

Get In Touch

Connect with our team to learn how we can support your goals.

Share the Message

Spread awareness and help more schools build safer communities.