Madie Fahey, a senior at California Lutheran University, embodies the spirit of resilience and selflessness. Born in Carmichael, California, she excelled academically, earning Dean’s List honors and being named a scholar-athlete in each of her collegiate years with a 3.7 GPA. Yet, her journey as a student-athlete has been defined by her courage in overcoming adversity.

In 2020, Madie was diagnosed with Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome, a rare condition causing cramping, tingling, and numbness in her legs from the knee down. The condition worsens during physical activity, dramatically impacting her ability to play collegiate soccer. The road to diagnosis was long, involving numerous consultations until specialists at UC Davis Medical Center identified the condition. Despite the pain and physical limitations, Madie demonstrated incredible determination, playing a career-high 19 games in 2023 and all 90 minutes at fullback in the National Championship game victory against Washington University.

This season, however, Madie had to end her playing career prematurely due to complications from her condition. Despite playing just half the season, she earned the prestigious Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Award of Distinction for exceptional academic and athletic achievements.  Accepting this was a mental and emotional challenge, she credits Cal Lutheran’s free mental health counseling services and her therapist for helping her navigate this transition. With the unwavering support of her coaches, teammates, and athletic trainers, she has remained a vital part of the team.

Off the field, Madie has made a profound impact on her community by organizing annual soccer camps for dozens of kids with special needs. Her dedication to these young athletes and her leadership in fostering inclusion reflect her compassionate spirit.

“I made it my goal to prove to myself and my team that I wouldn’t quit and that I would push myself until I physically couldn’t feel my legs anymore. Along the way, I learned that it’s okay to ask for help,” said Madie.  “No one is ever truly alone, and leaning on your support system or seeking counseling isn’t a sign of weakness. Instead, it’s a courageous step toward healing, resilience, and rediscovering your strength. The scars I carry are not marks of defeat, but are badges of honor and proof that I faced adversity head-on and became stronger than ever before.”

Will Bermudez’s story is one of resilience, perseverance, and unyielding determination. A first-generation college student, now a senior at UC Irvine and a standout on the baseball team, Will’s journey has been anything but conventional.

In May 2019, during a travel baseball game, the 17-year-old collided with a teammate while chasing a pop fly, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. Although Will quickly regained mobility, the collision also resulted in a traumatic brain injury that caused him to lose five years of memory. For more than two weeks, Will thought he was a 12-year-old.  A few months after his injury, he suffered his first epileptic seizure. Will was diagnosed with Myoclonic Juvenile Epilepsy, leading the Air Force Academy to rescind his scholarship.

The injury took a toll on Will’s physical and mental health. In addition to extensive rehabilitation, Will leaned on his faith and the coping skills he developed in mental health counseling.

Determined to forge a path forward, he enrolled at UC Davis. Since baseball was not a good fit at the time, he focused on his academics and getting healthy. Wanting to play baseball again, in 2022, he transferred to Mount San Antonio College, where he excelled, batting .343. His play caught the attention of the coaches at UC Irvine, where he transferred in 2023 and quickly earned the starting position at second base. He batted .250 and was named a finalist for the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings Gold Glove Award. Last year, he improved at the plate, batting .301 and earning All-Big-West Second Team honors.

Will’s experiences inspired his academic pursuits. Majoring in psychology with a minor in sociology, he aspires to become a psychiatrist, dedicated to helping people struggling with mental health challenges—just as he learned to manage his own.

“Everyone has different battles. Mine was epilepsy,” said Will.  “I want everyone to know that whatever they are going through will get better if they take it one day at a time and don’t let anything stop them from achieving their dreams.”