May 8, 2008

Providence, Rhode Island -

The Swearer Center for Public Service at Brown University and the Brown University Department of Athletics is pleased to announce the The Royce Fellowship for Sport and Society: Shae Fitzpatrick '10 (Basketball), Rachel Foodman '09 (Gymnastics), Katharine B. Glerum '10 (Rugby), Abigail L. Hein '10 (Field Hockey), Scott Warren '09 (marathon runner) and Henry Weintraub '09 (Water Polo).

The Fellowship recognizes Brown University undergraduates who have a record of excellence in academics and sport, supporting these student-athletes to embark on innovative research or applied projects, exploring the intersection of sport and human rights within a particular context. 

Fellows' areas of research may include health, education, conflict resolution, public policy, disability rights, race, gender or ethnicity.  The Fellowship supports reflection and inquiry by inspiring fellows to connect their scholarly work with that of their peers and designated faculty, staff and community leaders.  Faculty and Community Advisors will work with the Fellows, including Eli Wolff, 00' Director of Research and Advocacy for the Northeastern University Center for Sport and Society

This initiative was established in 2007 through the generosity of Charles Royce, a 1961 graduate of Brown University and parent of two Brown graduates. Mr. Royce, president of Royce Funds, has served as a University trustee since 1989 and is an active member of several university committees, including director of the Sports Foundation.

"Sport can play a role in improving the lives of individuals, not only individuals...but whole communities. I am convinced that the time is right to build on that understanding, to encourage governments, development agencies and communities to think how sport can be included more systemically in the plans to help children, particularly those living in the midst of poverty, disease and conflict." Kofi A. Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations.

2008 Royce Sport and Society Fellows

Shae Fitzpatrick '10 Women's Basketball

Promoting Basketball as a Vehicle for Development and Change in Societies across the Globe

Shae will partner with the NBA and its "Basketball Without Borders" program to investigate the role and impact of professional athletes in effecting positive global change and advocating for children and their fundamental "right to play."

Rachel Foodman '09 Gymnastics

Physical Education in an Era of Reform

Rachel will perform interviews to research the obstacles facing elementary school physical education teachers in public, private, and charter schools of San Diego, analyzing and presenting her findings in a policy memo.

Katharine B. Glerum '10 Women's Rugby

Researching Play as a Socializing Force within Modernized and Non-Modernized Peru

Katie will intern for the Urban Youth Sports Program at the Center for the Study of Sport in Society at Northeastern University.  She will then apply this experience in Peru, where she will observe children at play in both a modernized area (Lima) and a non-modernized area (Huancavelica), creating a case study of her research.

Abigail L. Hein '10 Field Hockey

OVAL: Olevolos Village Athletic League

Abby will organize and direct a soccer league for 250 children at the Olevolos Village Orphanage near Arusha, Tanzania.  This project will provide both an opportunity for disadvantaged children to play, and a chance for Abby to observe and evaluate a cross-cultural organization's use of Western rights-based models of humanitarian aid.

Scott Warren '09 Individual Athlete - marathon

The Intersection of Baseball and Local Community Development in the Dominican Republic

Scott will investigate exchanges of Dominican baseball players to and from the American Major Leagues, in order to highlight the real-world economic impact of this exchange on the lives of everyday Dominicans.  He will participate in an evaluation of the importance of education in a Dominican player's path to professional baseball, and examine the effectiveness of projects these players undertake to improve their communities in the Dominican Republic.

Henry Weintraub '09 Men's Water Polo

Gay Athletes in the Ivy League

Henry will interview gay male athletes, their coaches, and university administrators to determine the status of gay student-athletes in the Ivy League.  Using interview data, he will craft policy recommendations for the Ivy Athletic Directors Association and the NCAA, suggesting ways to improve the experiences of gay collegiate athletes.