As a social impact and entrepreneurship major at Lynn University's Watson Institute, Ian Waite is redefining what it means to be a college student. Passionate, mission-driven and wise beyond his years, Waite is the founder and CEO of Bigger Than Sports (BTS), a student-led nonprofit aimed at supporting underserved high schoolers through life readiness, mentorship and community-building programs.
Waite became one of three national recipients of the 2025 Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award, presented live at the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles, California. The award celebrates young people who use the power of sports to improve their communities. For Waite, it's validation of a mission that started in his dorm room and is now changing lives.
"I have a video of me saying 'I'm going to be winning an ESPY in July on the red carpet, and it's going to start a momentous change for the world through Bigger Than Sports'," said Waite.
From idea to impact
What started as a spark of an idea became a student-powered and Generation Z-led movement. BTS mentors high school students through college applications, trade school options and career preparedness, focusing on the transition from high school to the next stage of their academic or professional lives. The program supported 17 students in its first year, each with a tailored plan and measurable outcomes.
Waite's inspiration came from a realization that stuck with him throughout his college career. Growing up, he had guidance—an older sister and two parents employed in the higher education industry—that allowed him to envision something bigger for himself. Many of his peers, he noticed, didn't have that same level of support.
One standout success story he remembers is that of Lenard Hart, the oldest of six siblings in a single-parent household. Originally planning to enter the workforce right after high school, Hart transformed his mindset with the support of BTS guidance and mentorship. As a result, he secured multiple scholarships and now attends Palm Beach State College. "He just needed someone to walk with him through the process," said Waite. "Now, he sees himself differently."
Lynn students leading the way
Waite credits Lynn and the Watson Institute for helping him bring BTS to life. After crafting the concept for BTS, meetings were held on campus in available study rooms as early volunteers were made up almost entirely of fellow Lynn students. "This wasn't just a passion project—this became my life," said Waite.
For Lynn student Luke Verrelli '28, BTS's director of programming and outreach, the mission is personal. Growing up in Connecticut, he watched his dad run a charity and saw the direct impact mentorship and support have on young people. After meeting Waite at a basketball game and learning about BTS, he immediately knew he wanted to be part of it. Verrelli had played sports growing up and understood that lessons learned on the field or on the court in conjunction with a dedicated support system could open the door to new possibilities for these students.
Before becoming director of programming and outreach for the organization, Verrelli started as a volunteer.
"During one of our first deep conversations about the mission, I kept saying things like 'your idea' or 'your mission,' and Ian stopped me," Verrelli recalled. "He said, 'It's not my mission—it's ours. It's not me, it's we. We're in this together.' That really stuck with me. Whenever things get hard, I always flash back to that conversation. We push each other and make each other better."
Verrelli and Waite often meet on campus to strategize and plan events for BTS. Verrelli has been integral in organizing 5Ks, flag football games and pickleball tournaments, but believes the greatest impact comes from the daily collaboration with Waite to make a lasting difference for high school students.
Recognition beyond the classroom
Waite became aware of the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award shortly before the application deadline. "I saw the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award three days before it was due," said Waite. "I was so overwhelmed with joy that I cried because I finally felt seen—there was something out there for me to help shine a spotlight on the organization, our volunteers and our deserving high school students."
The Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award recognition included a $10,000 grant that Waite is using to grow the BTS mentorship program, offering paid positions to college student leaders while expanding program offerings. BTS works with athletes at Atlantic Community High School and Boynton Beach High School, with plans to serve additional schools in the future.
Photo credits: ESPN. The ESPY Awards, July 16, 2025.
Looking ahead, Waite envisions BTS in every Title I high school athletics department in the nation. "I wouldn't be able to continue the organization without the dedicated students at Lynn University and the South Florida community coming together to help this be something bigger than we could ever have imagined. It's now bigger than me and bigger than Lynn—having become nationally recognized thanks to the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award recognition."
