STUDENT-ATHLETE ADVOCATE PROGRAM

Grant Green is a junior at the University of Tampa and a second-year player, starring as a midfielder on the Men’s Lacrosse Team. Grant is originally from Aurora, CO; his father is a Denver firefighter and Navy Veteran. Grant recalls that when he was a young boy, he almost lost his father during an incident responding to a Denver-area house fire. His father’s life of service inspired Grant to take on his own mission of giving back and becoming a T2T Student-Athlete Advocate.  

“If it weren’t for the grace of God, my family and I might have been on the receiving end of the amazing work the Tunnel to Towers Foundation does for so many. While I am, of course, grateful my father is still alive, it is not lost on me that we must continue to honor those who put their lives on the line in the name of service.  I am honored to represent the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s Student-Athlete Advocate Program and eager to raise awareness for this amazing organization and its cause.” – Grant Green, University of Tampa Men’s Lacrosse

Charlie Tessier is a freshman at Fairfield University in Connecticut and a first-year student-athlete on the Men’s Cross Country team this fall. Charlie calls Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, home and has a deep sense of patriotism, pride, and gratitude for those who serve in the military and our communities.

Charlie is the son of a United States Air Force veteran. His dad has served over two decades in the military with deployments supporting Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.  While he was born after the events of September 11th, 2001, Charlie understands what transpired that day and the importance of honoring all our heroes.

“From a young age, my father instilled the importance of what it means to Never Forget. I know that 9/11 forever changed so many lives, and being the son of an Air Force Veteran, I want to bring awareness of that day to my generation. Being a member of the Tunnel to Towers Student-Athlete Advocate Program is a proud honor for me, and I look forward to educating others about the Foundation, its mission and finding ways to support our heroes.” – Charlie Tessier, Fairfield University Men’s Track and Field

Emma Cameron is a freshman goalkeeper for the Hofstra women’s soccer program. The Rockland, Mass. native is majoring in exercise physiology and aspires to pursue a career in physical therapy. Cameron was a multi-sport athlete at Rockland High School, lettering in soccer and basketball. As the daughter of a Massachusetts State Trooper, Emma joins the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, wanting to support the families of fallen first responders however she can.

“I am honored to represent the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s Student-Athlete Advocate Program. I joined T2T to represent and support the families whose loved ones have put their lives on the line daily to protect others. I never take the work our first responders do for granted, and I’m so proud to be part of this community.” – Emma Cameron, Hofstra Women’s Soccer

Keira Corrigan is a sophomore outfielder on the Scranton softball team. A nursing major from Rockville Centre, N.Y., Corrigan grew up in the 9/11 community as part of a multi-generational first responder family. Her father is an active Captain for the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), and her grandfather, FDNY Capt. James Corrigan, lost his life on 9/11, responding to the attacks on the World Trade Center. Keira looks forward to volunteering at the T2T NYC 5K Run & Walk and the Tower Climb NYC in 2024. 

“My grandfather died while he was saving kids from the daycare at the South Tower on that fateful day. I believe it is essential to spread awareness and acknowledge those who lost their lives on 9/11, suffer from related illnesses, and all the first responders who risk their lives every day to protect and care for others.” – Keira Corrigan, University of Scranton Softball

Valerie Veauthier is a freshman guard on the Lenoir Rhyne women’s basketball team. The Holly Springs, N.C. native was a star basketball athlete at Holly Springs, H.S., featuring on the varsity squad for five seasons. Her family motivated Valerie to join the Tunnel to Towers Foundation after participating in a T2T 5K race in Fayetteville, NC. Inspired by Stephen Siller’s heroic story, Veauthier is committed to assisting families who have lost a family member who served their country or local community as a first responder.

“Advocating for T2T is perfectly in line with my values. I want to help tell “Our Story,” the heroic act of Stephen Siller, to people across North Carolina, the Southeast US, and beyond, especially the younger generation of high school and college students.” – Valerie Veauthier, Lenoir-Rhyne Women’s Basketball

Ryan Tursellino is a sophomore at Salisbury University and features as a midfielder on the Sea Gulls’ Women’s Soccer team. Ryan’s father, Port Authority Police Officer Steven Tursellino, died in September 2013 due to 9/11-related cancer. The Foundation paid the mortgage on the Tursellino family’s home in September 2021.

The Hauppauge, NY native came off the bench and scored the game-winning goal in the 2023-24 season opener against Greensboro on September 1st. Tursellino’s go-ahead, 30-yard strike happened to be the first shot attempt of her Sea Gull career.

“I am honored to be chosen to represent the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s Student-Athlete Advocate Program. I’m excited to be given this platform to help as many families as possible and carry on the Foundation’s mission of ‘Let Us Do Good.’” – Ryan Tursellino, Salisbury University Women’s Soccer

Paul Maguire a first-year student-athlete at Clemson, joins one of the nation’s best collegiate Track and Field programs this fall. The freshman distance runner placed 19th in his first national 8K race at last month’s 2023 Eye Opener Cross Country Festival.

Maguire’s father is a Captain for the City of New York Fire Department (FDNY) and inspired his son to support the Foundation. Paul wants to help raise awareness for an honorable cause and wants to participate with the National Run, Walk, & Climb Series team.

“I am honored to have the privilege of representing one of America’s most compassionate charitable organizations, giving back to the ones that sacrifice the most for us.” – Paul Maguire, Clemson University Track & Field

Conor McGovern is a freshman soccer player at the Virginia Military Institute. The Kings Park, NY native featured in 12 games off the bench during his first season with the Keydets as a defender. McGovern was a star defender at Kings Park High and his club team, SUSA Albertson. The freshman was a 2017 Rookie of the Year, a three-time All-Conference selection, and a two-time Newsday Long Island Top 100 Players selection.

Conor intends to serve with the United States Army following his collegiate career as a U.S. Medical Corps branch member. McGovern is currently majoring in biology.

“I am extremely grateful to be given the opportunity to work with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation as a student-athlete advocate. I think it is important that we honor the men and women that have made the ultimate sacrifice while also honoring those who serve this nation every day.” – Conor McGovern, Virginia Military Institute Soccer

Danielle Heintz is a sophomore lacrosse player at the University of Colorado Boulder. The Brewster, NY native was a 2020 graduate at Brewster High School, where she earned four letters on the lacrosse team and three as a member of the field hockey team. Heintz was a mainstay between the pipes for Brewster High, accumulating 572 career saves. The goalkeeper earned All-America honors following her 2019 season and won her school’s first-ever Sectional Championship. Heintz is a Mechanical engineering major.

Danielle’s father is currently a firefighter for the New Rochelle Fire Department and was a first responder who helped in the recovery efforts at Ground Zero.

“I am incredibly excited to be a part of an amazing foundation, and I can’t wait to work alongside a great group of student-athletes to give back to America’s heroes. I believe it’s important to make sure nobody forgets what our first responders and service members sacrifice for our community and nation.” – Danielle Heintz, University of Colorado Boulder Women’s Lacrosse

Megan Biase is a standout senior lacrosse goalie at Wingate University. Biase has proven to be one of the best netminders in NCAA D-II Women’s Lacrosse, winning the 2021 South Atlantic Conference (SAC) Defensive Player of the Year award and a First Team All-SAC selection. The Nesconset, NY native was inspired by her mother’s battle with a 9/11-related illness to join the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

Megan’s mother was on-duty as a volunteer nurse for the American Red Cross during and immediately following the 9/11 attacks in New York City.

“To me, being a part of the Tunnel to Towers foundation is so much more than being just a student advocate. It’s helping and supporting those who risk their lives every day to keep us safe; it’s encouraging the words Stephen lived by, “while we have time, let us do good,” and more importantly, it’s honoring those who deserve it the most.” – Megan Biase, Wingate University Women’s Lacrosse

Nick Eiler is a junior basketball player at Hartwick College. He’s originally from Highland Mills, NY and was 2nd Team All-League during his time at Saddle River Day High School. At Hartwick College, Nick played in all 25 games for the Hawks during his freshman year and the only contest the school hosted during his junior year, where he shot 3-of-8 from the floor with a three-pointer to finish with seven points. Eiler is majoring in psychology and his hobbies include making music and writing.

“When I was given the opportunity to become an ambassador for T2T, I jumped at the chance to be a part of this amazing cause. So many brave Americans have given the ultimate sacrifice to protect our country and I’m proud to be a part of an organization working to make sure those lives are never forgotten.” – Nick Eiler, Hartwick College Basketball

Stuart Head is a Woodstock, GA native graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science from Stanford during his three-year stint with the football program (2017-19). Head finished the 2019 season with 39 tackles, including eight apiece against Notre Dame and UCLA. He had one tackle for loss in the UCLA game, broke up two passes that season and averaged nearly five tackles a game as a starter.

“We are excited to grow the Tunnel to Towers Foundation Student-Athlete Advocate Program and bring on these amazing athletes to continue the Foundation’s mission to do good. Their inspiration to honor the lives of America’s heroes and spread awareness amongst their peers makes them a perfect fit for the program. We hope they will influence younger generations to do the same.”

– Frank Siller
CEO, Tunnel to Towers Foundation