STUDENT-ATHLETE ADVOCATE PROGRAM
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation is proud to introduce our charismatic collegiate student-athletes
who serve as brand ambassadors, representing the Foundation to the media, donors and sponsors.
MEET OUR STUDENT-ATHLETES
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
Student-Athlete Requirements
Chosen Tunnel to Towers Foundation student-athlete advocates are expected to become familiar with the organization’s mission and talking points
Student-athletes are required to post 3-5 approved videos on social media accounts during their athletic seasons, and 8-10 videos over the course of a full calendar year
All video content for social media usage must be approved by the student-athlete advocates and their athletic departments. Each post should include why the student-athlete supports Tunnel to Towers and encourage followers to donate $11/mo. to the Foundation
Student-athlete advocates are encouraged to mention their role with Tunnel to Towers during press conferences and/or other related media opportunities
High-resolution in-game photos or other athletic department content in athletic gear representing their school is encouraged
Student-athlete advocates must provide video content with secured rights to repurpose on the Foundation’s social media platforms and website
Student-athlete advocates must provide their digital signature
If You Would Like To Become A Student-Athlete Fill Out The Form Below
Our Story
The Siller family started the Tunnel to Towers Foundation to honor the memory of their brother, Stephen, a New York City Firefighter (FDNY) who laid down his life on September 11, 2001. The Foundation honors Stephen’s legacy by supporting our nation’s military heroes and First Responders and their families.
Who We Help
Tunnel to towers builds specially-adapted, mortgage-free smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and provides mortgage-free homes to gold star families and families of fallen first responders who leave behind young children.
“BROTHERS AND SISTERS, WHILE WE HAVE THE TIME, LET US DO GOOD.”
– ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI