The Bridge Foundation was built on years of hands-on work in the field. Founder Dave 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.
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 StoryWe 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.
Training, travel, equipment, and academic fees covered based on need.
Expert guidance through every step of the recruiting process.
Tutoring, ESL assistance, and standardized test preparation.
Strength, agility, and sport-specific skill training.
Scholarships and mentoring through college and beyond.
Long before The Bridge Foundation had a name, the work was already being done. Dave 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.
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.
Our Board brings together leaders from finance, law, nonprofits, and athletics, all united by a commitment to empowering the next generation of student athletes.
Dave Fisher
Founder & Executive DirectorDave 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.
Shawna Hamilton Doster
Chair of the BoardShawna 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
Vice Chair & Community and Partnerships OfficerFor 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
Treasurer & Finance & Development OfficerWei 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
Secretary & Governance OfficerWith 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.
We're always looking for passionate leaders who share our vision.
Get In TouchDave Fisher
Executive Director / Co-FounderWith over 15 years in athletic coaching and program management, Dave 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.
Our Development Team provides essential support and guidance as we build and grow the Foundation.
Christianna Molina
Development TeamHR tech professional and Adelphi University graduate. Over a decade working with student athletes, combining fitness, education, and HR expertise to create equitable opportunities.
Emily Bessette
Development TeamLicensed 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.
Hamilton Doster
Development TeamD1 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.
Our advisors assist student-athletes through both college recruiting and the admissions process.
Kevin Valdovinos
College Advisory BoardAssistant 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.
Christian Paulino
College Advisory BoardAssistant 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.
DJ Peoples
College Advisory BoardFormer 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 BoardFormer 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Athletes placed at the college level across multiple sports and programs. A track record of success built on real relationships, real development, and real outcomes.
Apply today. Membership is 100% free, and financial support is provided based on individual need.
Apply NowFor 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.
Quality training, recruiting exposure, and academic preparation all carry a cost that locks out talented athletes from underserved communities. The result is real ability going unseen — not because these athletes aren't good enough, but because the system was never built to find them.
Behind every statistic is a young person whose potential was defined by circumstance, not capability. The Bridge Foundation was built to make sure more of them get the chance they deserve.
Support the MissionBehind 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.
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 athletes placed through the Foundation at the high school level, continuing their development and working toward their next opportunity.
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.
Join ThemIf 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 NowHave a question or want to get involved? Reach out and a member of our team will be in touch.
Your support empowers underserved student athletes to reach their full potential. Thank you for making a difference.
Every dollar goes directly toward empowering student athletes: training, travel, tutoring, and more.
Donate NowOrganizations and universities can open doors for deserving athletes. Let’s build something together.
Let’s TalkAt The Bridge Foundation, we are committed to helping talented student athletes from underserved communities gain access to the resources they need to compete at the collegiate level.
Our programs provide the resources, guidance, and support needed to navigate college recruiting, excel academically, and develop athletically.
Apply NowWe work with high school student athletes from underserved communities who have the talent and drive to compete at the next level but lack access to the recruiting exposure, financial resources, and guidance needed to get there.
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 ApplicationJUNE 2026 · DATE TBD BY BOARD VOTE
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off June 11 across the US, Canada, and Mexico. This is a once-in-a-generation moment to channel the energy of the world’s biggest sporting event into something meaningful for our student athletes.
Wiffle Ball · 3v3 Soccer · Field Day · World Cup Watch Party
Returning for its second year. 8 teams, 5–6 players per team. $50–75 per team. Round-robin into single elimination. Trophies for 1st, 2nd + MVP.
New for 2026, tying into the World Cup. Teams pick a country to represent. Youth + Adult divisions. 12-minute games, running clock.
Open to everyone, not just tournament teams. A rotating mix of athletic challenges, team games, and fun activities that run continuously throughout the day. Something for every age and skill level.
Big screen showing live World Cup matches throughout the event. Concessions, 50/50 raffle, and a grand finale to close out the day.
The Summer Classic is about more than competition. It brings together athletes, families, coaches, and community members to celebrate what happens when talent meets opportunity. Every dollar raised goes directly to BFFSA programs.
Final schedule subject to board format vote.
AUGUST 13, 2026
Full details coming soon. Save the date.
Register a team, volunteer, sponsor a station, or simply show up and support our student athletes. Every dollar raised goes directly to BFFSA programs.