Welcome to SZN Opener, the dynamic podcast assortment that celebrates Black school athletes, exploring their triumphs, demanding situations and aspirations along their sports activities actions trips.
SZN Opener is once more with brand-new episodes and interviews with the brightest up-and-coming athletes in school sports activities actions at the moment. Season 3 returns with a modern batch of in-depth interviews, highlighting the stories of inspiring school athletes as they percentage their formula for achievement every off and on their respective collaborating in fields.
Season 3 kicks off on this planet of school ice hockey with UNC’s Mekhi Ashford. A senior at the College of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Ashford joined SZN Opener host Rodney Rikai to discuss finding his love for ice hockey while emerging up in Atlanta, Georgia. Additionally in this episode, Ashford discussed his unconventional trail to collaborating in for the North Carolina Tar Heels and the best way he’s leveraging NIL (establish, image and likeness) possible choices as ice hockey grows in reputation.
The Atlanta local discovered hockey early on
Rising up in Atlanta, Ashford went to his first hockey recreation at spherical age seven. “I won invited to a recreation. After I spotted them play, I was like, this is completely other, it kind of feels like numerous relaxing. They’re my largest friends to at the moment. They’re moreover Black players like me,” he discussed. “I begged my mom and dad to let me strive, they usually finally gave in.”
He started out collaborating in roller hockey, getting good enough to start out out a adventure roller hockey team known as the Junior Gladiators. ââ“The perfect issue regarding the team” used to be how more than a few it used to be, Ashford discussed. Round age 10, he transitioned to ice hockey. The more youthful athlete discovered he used to be a standout throughout the recreation in heart school. “As quickly as I was ready to get into the AA and AAA tier teams and start collaborating in in opposition to those youngsters, I knew that I was ready to dangle with some of the top youngsters throughout the country,” he discussed.
Ashford used to be about to prevent hockey when he used to be invited to play for the Tar Heels
Ashford’s trail to UNC used to be no longer by the use of recruitment, like most school athletes. “I didn’t get recruited to play there. I was going to stop collaborating in, like k I’ve had enough, in particular on account of normally I felt out of place collaborating in. However then I won into the varsity and come what may I won in contact with the trainer. He knowledgeable me to come back again up and skate, and that’s how I finally won at the team.”
He remains vigorous in the community as a member of Alpha Phi Alpha
Ashford discussed being a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and what drew him to the storied team. “I won the Alpha scholarship coming out of high school. I didn’t suppose a substantial amount of of it til I won to campus, and all the Alphas spherical me were doing some of the for the campus and the varsity. Seeing that, I was like wow, I want to make the impact that they’re having on me and I want to do that for the those who come after me.”
Monetizing establish, image and likeness as a student-athlete
Rikai and Ashford discussed NIL possible choices, the protection that allows student-athletes to monetize their personal fashion. “I’ve had a couple other folks reach out simply in recent years,” discussed Ashford. “I truly really feel like someday, it’s going to start out out popping off a lot more. As a results of persons are knowing that there’s a local that loves hockey, and the additional that folks see it, they’re like, there’s money proper right here for every aspect.”
Ice hockey is bobbing up in reputation throughout the South, and North Carolina isn’t any exception. UNC’s non-public ice hockey program is evolving in a huge means. UNC Hockey it will be increased to Division 1 status throughout the American Collegiate Hockey Affiliation (ACHA) starting throughout the 2025-2026 season, complete with a brand-new 2,000-seat area.
Ashford admitted that he could be doing additional to capitalize in this window of other as an elite Black school hockey player. “I’ve to get my media presence up,” he discussed.
Rikai drove the aim area, underscoring the massive attainable he sees for Ashford if he effectively leverages the unique position he’s in. “You’re an anomaly,” discussed Rikai. “And in those events, the people who have stories that are so completely other than the rest of society, the people who are found in places and spaces all through which those who look like them normally haven’t, are benefitting so crazy.”
Catch the whole conversation with Mekhi Ashford above. Hearken to this episode of SZN Opener at the City One Podcast Community or your favorite podcast streaming platform.
In regards to the ‘SZN Opener’ podcast
The SZN Opener podcast spotlights Black school athletes and their inspiring stories of onerous paintings, personality, and excellence. Hosted through dynamic on-air personality, manufacturer, and filmmaker, Rodney Rikai, pay attention in as they percentage their triumphs and demanding situations, while navigating tough schedules and making plans for careers previous graduation. With focal point and determination, those multifaceted school athletes include excellence from the school room to the collaborating in topic. Tune in to SZN Opener and discover additional on CassiusLife.com.
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