University of Utah Athletics

SANTA MONICA, Calif. - Utah swimmer Nolan Rogers will be teaming with Red Bull, The Sheckler Foundation and social activists Journey & DIVERTcity as part of a program giving college students the opportunity to help build the a skate park for an underserved community in Costa Rica.

Rogers is one of 16 students selected by Red Bull to join the trip. The selection process chose applicants who creatively showcased how they have, or would like to make, an impact on a community important to them.

"Although I have no way of knowing exactly what will happen in the week we spend in Costa Rica, it seems like the heart of the trip is for the people there and I honestly believe that sports are the best way to impact a community," Rogers said. "I look forward to this opportunity and hope that it will be a fun one. At the end of the day, if I can say I left more with the people of Costa Rica than I gained, I will consider it a success."

Each student has an extremely unique background & story yet all share the same passion to make a positive impact & inspire those around them. The chosen students ranged from an American University vlogger that addresses LGBTQ+ issues via his YouTube channel to a student at Western Washington University who took a year off from school to serve for Youth With a Mission, providing care and resources for homeless youth and adults in Ethiopia.
 
The adventure will be a true 'body & mind' experience with the first half of the trip being a full immersion into the local community to build the park, followed by a trip to the coast to reflect on the experience and further build connections with locals & fellow trip attendees.
 
In addition to leaving the new skate park behind, the local community will gain resources for years of education, training, equipment in addition to new murals and gardens that beautify the area.
 
For more information about the Journey visit: http://wejourney.co/action-sports/
Full winner list: http://impactspringbreak.redbull.com/