Chris Cannizzaro is a senior baseball player at Bucknell University. The Staten Island, NY native won four straight Ivy Prep League Championships during his high school career at Poly Prep. Highlights from his time at Bucknell include being Patriot League batting champion, Preseason All-Patriot League pick, leading Patriot League in slugging percentage, and being named to All-Patriot League First Team. Cannizzaro is majoring in psychology.
STUDENT-ATHLETE 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
Chris CannizzaroBucknell, Baseball
“I could not be more excited to be a part of such an amazing foundation and part of a team of student-athletes. It means so much to me to be chosen as an advocate for a cause that’s near and dear to my heart. I’m excited to work with T2T to honor and give back to America’s greatest heroes.”
Conor McGovernVirginia Military Institute, Soccer
“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 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.
Daniel DeSantiHofstra University, Men's Lacrosse
“It is truly an honor to be a part of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. I believe it is important that we never forget the sacrifices that all the brave men and women gave on 9/11 and the days after. I am proud to be a part of an organization that never forgets and helps those who have given so much for our freedom.”
Daniel DeSanti is a graduate student and lacrosse star at Hofstra University. The Dix Hills, NY native attended the United States Military Academy at West Point for four years prior to enrolling at Hofstra. DeSanti has featured in 48 games during his four-year collegiate career, firing nine goals out of his 27 total shot attempts. The long stick midfielder has scooped up 56 career ground balls and has caused 33 turnovers.
DeSanti is joining the Tunnel to Towers Foundation to honor a family member who recently passed away due to a 9/11-related illness.
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.
Danielle HeintzUniversity of Colorado Boulder, Lacrosse
“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.”
Kayla DowneyCoastal Carolina University, Lacrosse
“I am extremely excited to be joining the Tunnel to Towers Foundation as one of the newest Student-Athlete Advocates. Being a part of this organization means the world to me, and I look forward to seeing what the future has in store!”
Kayla Downey is a redshirt sophomore lacrosse player at Coastal Carolina University. The Babylon, NY native has accumulated 46 goals and 42 assists in her two seasons with the Chanticleers. Downey was named to both the All-SoCon Freshman Team and the All-SoCon Second team in 2021. The two-time SoCon Offensive Player of the Week provided at least one point per contest in 2021 and finished second in goals (35), assists (31), and points (66). In 2020, Downey was teammates with fellow T2T Student-Athlete Advocate Kailyn Hart during her lone season with the Stony Brook women’s lacrosse program.
Kayla’s grandfather was the Deputy Chief of the Fire Department of New York City (FDNY) when he died on 9/11. Her uncle is currently an FDNY firefighter, and her family hosts an annual memorial 5K run for her late grandfather.
Kailyn Hart is a junior lacrosse player at Stony Brook University. The North Babylon, NY native accumulated 232 goals and 70 assists in her four years at North Babylon High School. At Stony Brook University, she appeared on SportsCenter Top 10 for goals in her first two career collegiate games and during the 2021 season. Hart tallied 27 goals, 14 assists and 10 ground balls while appearing in all 19 games last year. She’s an undeclared business major and is one of four lacrosse players in her family
Kailyn HartStony Brook, Lacrosse
“I’m thrilled to become an ambassador for this foundation and I’m excited for what the future holds. I think it’s so important that the younger generation never forgets the service and sacrifice that our first responders made on 9/11 and those who served our country afterwards.”
Megan BiaseWingate University, Women's Lacrosse
“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 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.
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.
Nick EilerHartwick, Basketball
“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.”
Stuart HeadAppalachian State, Football
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 delighted to welcome three new student athletes to our Student-Athlete Advocate Program. Danny and Megan join our existing Student-Athlete Advocates in bringing their passion and advocacy to support our mission to Do Good.”
- Frank SillerCEO Tunnel to Towers Foundation
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
JOIN US
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.
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
