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The Bridge Foundation for Student Athletes

Bridging the Gap.
Empowering Futures.
Changing Lives.

The Bridge Foundation was built on years of hands-on work in the field. Founder David Fisher spent over a decade as a private trainer and coach, personally guiding more than 100 student athletes through the college recruiting process and athletic development programs through organizations like Steer for Student Athletes and Elite Squad Baseball. Talent was never the issue. Access was. The Foundation exists to fix that.

3.3Avg. GPA Across Our Athletes
100%Free to Join & Participate
100%College Placement Rate
Who We Are

Our Mission

The Bridge Foundation works to level the playing field for high school student athletes who lack the information and financial resources to navigate the recruiting process. We connect talent with opportunity and give athletes from underserved communities a real path to college.

Our Story
How We Do It

Our Approach

We work directly with underserved high school student athletes, covering financial barriers, building their skills, and connecting them with the right college programs. Our College Advisory Board brings real recruiting and admissions expertise to every athlete we serve.

Our support doesn't stop at admission. We stay with our athletes through college and beyond, providing scholarships, mentorship, and the tools to succeed on and off the field.

What We Offer

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Financial Assistance

Training, travel, equipment, and academic fees covered based on need.

College Recruiting

Expert guidance through every step of the recruiting process.

Academic Support

Tutoring, ESL assistance, and standardized test preparation.

Athletic Development

Strength, agility, and sport-specific skill training.

Alumni Support

Scholarships and mentoring through college and beyond.

Ready to Bridge the Gap?

Whether you're a student athlete ready to apply or someone who wants to support our mission.

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About Us

Our Story

Built on Proven Results

Long before The Bridge Foundation had a name, the work was already being done. David Fisher spent years in the field as a private trainer and coach, personally guiding more than 100 student athletes through the college recruiting process and athletic development programs through organizations like Steer for Student Athletes and Elite Squad Baseball. The results were clear. So was the need to scale.

The Foundation was built by the same coaches, advocates, and community leaders who had already been doing this work side by side. They had seen what happened when the right support reached the right athlete. That group now serves as the Foundation's Board of Directors, and their commitment hasn't changed, only the scale has.

The Bridge Foundation was created to take that impact further, reaching more athletes, across more sports, from more communities. The door that was opened for so many is now open wider than ever.

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Bridge Foundation team
3.3Avg. GPA Across Our Athletes
100%Free to Join & Participate
100%College Placement Rate
Dave Fisher with athlete

Our Commitment

Mission

Level the playing field for student athletes who lack access to the information, resources, and guidance needed to compete for college opportunities.

Vision

A world where athletic talent and hard work determine where a young person goes next. Not zip code. Not income.

Beyond Admission

We stay in the game. Our support extends through college and into post-graduate life, because getting in is just the beginning.

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About Us

Board of Directors

Our Board brings together leaders from finance, law, nonprofits, and athletics, all united by a commitment to empowering the next generation of student athletes.

David Fisher

David Fisher

Founder & Executive Director

David Fisher co-founded The Bridge Foundation after more than a decade leading sports programs focused on developing student athletes on and off the field. His experience includes founding Beastmode Athletics and Elite Squad NY, where he was instrumental in the college recruiting and athletic development of more than 100 student athletes. Before coaching, Dave played four years of college baseball at Northeastern University and Queens College, followed by two years in independent professional baseball. On the Board, his focus is on strategic growth and making sure every athlete in the program has what they need to get to college and through it.

SHD

Shawna Hamilton Doster

Chair of the Board

Shawna brings over 15 years of extensive nonprofit leadership experience, having served as both Board Chair and Executive Director for national nonprofits. She has successfully secured partnerships and funding working with prominent figures and organizations including Tina Fey, Mario Batali, Starbucks, ING Direct, Hilton & Homewood Suites, Capital One, Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse, and high-net-worth donors. An attorney licensed in Texas and Connecticut, Shawna has nearly 30 years of experience in civil litigation and risk management. She is the mother of an NCAA Division 1 Dartmouth Women's Ice Hockey Player and a 2020 West Point NCAA Division 1 Baseball Recruit.

Byron Valverde

Byron Valverde

Vice Chair & Community and Partnerships Officer

For the past decade, Byron has worked across the Telecommunications, Media, Technology, and Data industries, leading Sales and Partnerships with major MVPDs, TV networks, streaming platforms, and data providers. His career has centered on translating data into growth and developing strategic programs that connect people, purpose, and performance. As Community and Partnerships Officer, he drives the Foundation's brand awareness and builds relationships with sponsors, universities, and local partners. Byron and his wife Jill live in Staten Island, NY and are proud parents of three future student-athletes: Franco (7), Giancarlo (5), and Angelo Jeter "AJ" (3). He holds a B.A. from CUNY Queens College and an M.S. from Monroe University.

Wei Chang

Wei Chang

Treasurer & Finance & Development Officer

Wei is a dedicated advocate for student-athletes and a passionate believer in the power of education and community. Originally from Taiwan, Wei immigrated to the United States and earned a B.A. in Media Studies from CUNY Queens College. Professionally, he has spent the past decade as a sales executive specializing in advanced TV and cross-platform video, helping brands unlock the power of data and technology across streaming, CTV, and addressable environments. A lifelong baseball enthusiast, Wei's true passion lies in helping student-athletes from underserved communities access the resources, mentorship, and opportunities they need to thrive, both on and off the field. Wei grew up in Astoria, Queens and currently resides in Norwalk, CT with his wife Joanne and daughter Roma.

Linda Fisher

Linda Fisher

Secretary & Governance Officer

With over 50 years in the healthcare sector across clinical, administrative, and national cancer accreditation consultant roles, Linda brings extensive health equity strategy and lean process design expertise to academic and underserved community hospitals. For the last 26 years she has been part of Montefiore Einstein, a premier New York academic health system serving one of the nation's most diverse and economically challenged urban populations. As Director of the Cancer Registry Program & Analytics, she translates oncology data into community action by identifying gaps in cancer care and delivering critical analysis to support precision medicine. Being part of The Bridge Foundation is a natural extension of her commitment to mentoring and giving back. Linda brings the same passion and advocacy to the Foundation's mission of leveling the playing field for talented student athletes. She is the proud mother of a Division 1 athlete and resides with her family in Stamford, CT.

Interested in joining our board?

We're always looking for passionate leaders who share our vision.

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Our Leadership

Executive Director

David Fisher coaching

David Fisher

Executive Director / Co-Founder

With over 15 years in athletic coaching and program management, David Fisher has dedicated his career to advancing opportunities for young student athletes from underserved communities. He founded Beastmode Athletics and Elite Squad NY, nationally recognized for athletic development and recruiting success.

Over the course of his career, David has been instrumental in the college recruiting and athletic development of more than 100 student athletes, long before the Foundation was formalized. As Executive Director, he continues to lead the programs and relationships that make those outcomes possible for a new generation of athletes.

Development Team

Our Development Team provides essential support and guidance as we build and grow the Foundation.

Christianna Molina

Development Team

HR tech professional and Adelphi University graduate. Over a decade working with student athletes, combining fitness, education, and HR expertise to create equitable opportunities.

EB

Emily Bessette

Development Team

Licensed social worker, 10+ years in nonprofits. Former student athlete at Mount Holyoke (psychology), master's from Fairfield University. Has seen firsthand how athletics and community support benefit youth mental health.

HD

Hamilton Doster

Development Team

D1 ice hockey athlete at Dartmouth with 16+ years of competitive experience. Top fundraiser for A Shot for Life's inaugural women's hockey game, raising thousands for cancer research at Mass General Hospital.

College Advisory Board

Our advisors assist student-athletes through both college recruiting and the admissions process.

Kevin Valdovinos

College Advisory Board

Assistant coach, Columbia men's soccer. Director of Player Development, White Plains Youth Soccer. two-time NJCAA Academic All-American. Founder of Valdovinos Performance. Pursuing US Soccer National Coaching License.

CP

Christian Paulino

College Advisory Board

Assistant Principal, Stamford High School. 18+ years in education. Bilingual coach with a decade at Headfirst HonorRoll, helping athletes gain exposure to top academic programs nationwide.

DP

DJ Peoples

College Advisory Board

Former Purchase College basketball player, now coaching at her alma mater. Dedicated to helping student-athletes balance athletic excellence with personal growth and academic success.

Mike Skrapits

College Advisory Board

Former head coach Regis High School (2008–12), now at Fordham Prep. 14th year as senior staff at Headfirst Honor Roll Camp, working with hundreds of high-academic college coaches.

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Our Services

What We Provide

Every resource an athlete needs to earn their spot at the next level.

Membership in the Foundation is 100% free. We provide financial assistance based on each athlete's individual need, because we believe financial constraints should never stand between talent and opportunity.

Athlete at showcase
01

Financial Assistance

Membership in The Bridge Foundation is 100% free. Beyond that, we provide individualized financial assistance to cover the real costs of competing: training fees, showcase registrations, travel, equipment, and more. No athlete should be priced out of the process.

02

College Recruiting & Counseling

We guide athletes through every stage of the recruiting process: identifying the right programs, building a compelling profile, making direct contact with college coaches, and understanding what it takes to get an offer. We also assist with college applications, financial aid, and FAFSA navigation so athletes and families are never left figuring it out alone.

03

Academic Support

Eligibility is non-negotiable. We provide access to tutoring, study skills coaching, ESL support, and standardized test preparation. Our academic resources are built to keep athletes on track in the classroom so nothing gets in the way of their opportunities on the field.

04

Athletic Development

We invest in the athlete, not just the applicant. Training programs focus on strength, agility, and sport-specific skill development. We also provide funding for travel team participation, showcases, and exposure events where college coaches are watching. Getting seen is part of getting recruited.

05

Alumni Support

Our commitment does not end at enrollment. We provide scholarship support and ongoing guidance throughout an athlete's college career and into post-graduate life. Our athletes have a solid support system behind them at every turn, a dedicated team in their corner no matter where the road leads after signing day.

Athlete throwing

Everything It Takes to Get Recruited

College coaches are not looking for projects. They are looking for athletes who are ready: academically eligible, athletically developed, and visible in the right places. Every service we provide is built around making sure our athletes check every box. We remove the financial barriers. We develop the skill set. We handle the academic side. And we make sure each athlete is standing in front of the right coaches at the right time.

The results speak for themselves. Over 80 athletes placed at the college level. A 100 percent placement rate. And a commitment to keeping it that way.

Ready to Get Started?

Apply today. Membership is 100% free, and financial support is provided based on individual need.

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Our Impact

Overcoming the Odds

The Reality

Talent is everywhere. Opportunity is not.

For too many student athletes, the recruiting process rewards access over ability. Private coaches, travel teams, showcases, and exposure events all cost money that families in underserved communities simply do not have. The Bridge Foundation exists to change that.

The Barriers Are Real

For too many talented student athletes, the path to college is determined less by ability than by resources. Quality training, recruiting exposure, academic preparation, and the know-how to navigate the process all carry a cost. Families in underserved communities are frequently left without access to any of it. The result is athletes with real ability going unseen. Not because they aren't good enough, but because the system was never built to find them.

In college baseball, Division I rosters are 70 to 75 percent filled by players from affluent backgrounds. At Division III schools, where athletic aid is more limited, the disparity is even greater.

These are not abstract numbers. They represent athletes who never got the chance. The Bridge Foundation was built to make sure more of them do.

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Bridge Foundation student athlete

The Numbers Behind the Need

70–75%Of D1 college baseball rosters are filled by players from affluent backgrounds. Talent alone does not determine who makes it.
$10,000+The average annual cost a family must absorb for travel teams, showcases, and private coaching, before a single college offer arrives.
1 in 16High school athletes go on to play college sports. For athletes from underserved communities, those odds are even steeper.
Bridge Foundation athlete

Proof That It Can Be Different

Behind every statistic is a real athlete with real potential. Our results are the direct answer to those numbers. Every athlete we place in college proves that when the right support is in place, the outcome changes. We have done it more than 80 times. We are not done.

Where an athlete comes from does not have to determine where they go. With your support, we keep proving that.

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Our Impact

Our Student Athletes

Every athlete on this page was advised and guided through their recruitment by our staff. Every one of them overcame real obstacles to get there. Every one of them received financial assistance or scholarship support along the way. Some of these placements came before The Bridge Foundation was formally established, but the work, the commitment, and the services provided were exactly the same. We are proud of each and every one of them.

Student athlete portrait

College Placements

Erwins BrancheHerkimer College → Jackson State University
Harby ValeraCalhoun Community College → University of North Alabama → Post University
Carlos CarmonaCalhoun Community College → Georgia State University → University of North Alabama
Jon LegrandeWabash Valley College → St. John's University
Richie Bonomolo Jr. MLB Draft — NY YankeesWabash Valley College → University of Alabama
Christopher VillavicencioCalhoun Community College
Gialdri GomezSeminole State College of Florida → University of North Florida
Jeremy RecioCayuga College
Alviere DelacruzLackawanna Community College
Erick BallenillaNew Mexico Junior College
Aidan RosarioFranklin Pierce University
Jose TaverasDominican College
Rabel BadiaEastern Nazarene College
Luis MarioMonroe College
Henry TolentinoHerkimer College → Queens College
Cristian BerroaWestern Oklahoma State College
Kengri De Los SantosWestern Oklahoma State College
Brian Valdovinos SoccerHerkimer College → University of New Haven
Kevin Valdovinos SoccerHerkimer College → Pfeiffer University
Guillermo Zabala BasketballArizona Western College → Purchase College
Jose UlloaMercy College
Angel CastilloCayuga College
Brandon JimenezKingsborough Community College
Player CrosbyCoastal Carolina (Commit) → University at Albany
Dylan O'BrienSUNY Brockport

High School Placements

Student athletes placed through the Foundation at the high school level, continuing their development and working toward their next opportunity.

Jayden Batista PlacedElite Squad Academy
Eliezer Peña Jr. PlacedElite Squad Academy
Xavier Izquierdo PlacedWestminster High School
Angel ValerioBridge Foundation Member
Angel VolozquezBridge Foundation Member
Darwin BrancheBridge Foundation Member
Bridge Foundation team group

Testimonials Coming Soon

We're gathering stories from our athletes and their families about what The Bridge Foundation has meant to them. Check back soon to hear directly from the people we serve.

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Could you be next?

If you're a high school student athlete from an underserved community, apply today. It's 100% free to join and participate, with financial support provided based on individual need.

Apply Now
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Take Action

Help Bridge the Gap

Your support empowers underserved student athletes to reach their full potential. Thank you for making a difference.

Donate

Every dollar goes directly toward empowering student athletes: training, travel, tutoring, and more.

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Volunteer

Share your expertise in coaching, academics, recruiting, or mentorship.

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Partner With Us

Organizations and universities can open doors for deserving athletes. Let's build something together.

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Contact Our Team

Have a question or want to get involved? Reach out and a member of our team will be in touch.

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Start Building Your Future

Student athletes

2025 Student Athlete Application

At The Bridge Foundation, we are committed to helping talented student athletes from underserved communities unlock their full potential, both on and off the field.

Our programs provide the resources, guidance, and support needed to navigate college recruiting, excel academically, and achieve your athletic dreams. Membership is 100% free, with financial support provided based on individual need.

Apply Now →

What's Included

  • College Recruiting Guidance
  • Academic Support & Tutoring
  • ESL & Standardized Test Prep
  • Athletic Development Programs
  • Financial Assistance
  • Alumni Scholarships & Support

Who Should Apply

We work with high school student athletes from underserved communities who have the talent and drive to compete at the college level but need support navigating the process.

If you play baseball, basketball, soccer, or another sport and are serious about continuing your athletic career in college. We want to hear from you.

Start Your Application
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