EUGENE, Ore. – UniUSA announced this week it will be sending two National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) student-athletes to the International University Sports Federation (FISU), FISU World Forum in Zagreb, Croatia, August 27-31, to serve as representatives for the USA at the worldwide event.
The FISU World Forum is an opportunity for students and officials from the international university sports movement to engage in meetings and exchanges associating culture and education with physical and sporting activities. Combining academic sessions with cultural, educational, and sporting activities, it is a powerful communication platform for the various university sports communities. This combination gives the FISU World Forum an educational value in the broadest sense of the term.
The Forum will feature over 200 student-athletes from over 60 countries worldwide. The first edition of the FISU World Form was organized in 1992 and gathered 89 participants from 21 countries. This will mark the 17th, Forum. It has occurred on four continents and over 2,800 participants have taken part over the years.
The two athletes representing their country at the event are Samantha Silver of Bushnell University (Ore.) and Anthony Carranza of Oklahoma City University.
Silver is a member of the Bushnell University softball team. Bushnell is a proud member of the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) and the NAIA.
While at Bushnell she recently completed a Bachelor of Arts in Communication degree and is currently pursuing a Master’s in clinical Mental Health Counseling. Silver was the recipient of the NAIA’s 2023 Leroy Walker Champions of Character Award.
“I feel humbled to have this opportunity and I am excited to learn from all in attendance at the FISU Forum as well as share any information I have to help further expand our athletic world,” said Silver. “I honestly have no words to express the gratitude and honor I feel to be chosen as a USA representative I can’t wait for the week in August to arrive. This feels so much bigger than myself, I love that I get to carry the Bushnell qualities a little further and represent the CCC as well. Thank you for this moment I can’t wait to see what God does with it!”
Carranza is a member of the Oklahoma City University cross country and track & field program. OCU is a proud member of the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) and the NAIA.
He is majoring in Human Performance with a minor in Business Entrepreneurship.
“I am extremely honored & thrilled to say that I was selected to represent the United States, & collegiate athletics for this year’s 2024 FISU Forum,” said Carranza. “It is undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a part of this experience. I’m excited to embark on this opportunity, and to engage in all there is when it comes to the world of sports. I would like to thank Oklahoma City University Athletics, Corey Bray, Lori Thomas, the NAIA, my family, and supporters along the way for instilling in me the knowledge, experience, and mentorship over the years! I’m proud to be representing OCU, the NAIA, Collegiate Athletics, and the United States!”