# @nyuathletics on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/C-afjqORhgj
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/22173647-nyuathletics-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/4a07a1b0d3.jpg
- **Posted:** 2024-08-08T15:27:55.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** NYU Athletics (@nyuathletics) — https://gondola.cc/nyuathletics

## Caption

The Kid 🐐 #OwnTheCity

zayfreeney of nyumenshoops recently completed his time working with the mlb - mlbpa Youth Development Foundation (YDF), which supports efforts that focus on improving the caliber, effectiveness and availability of amateur baseball and softball programs across the United States and internationally.

Zay controlled the social media accounts for YDF and event operations as they helped fund events such as the Rickwood Classic, HBCU Swingman Classic, and Hank Aaron Invitational. These events focused on Black baseball players: past, current college, and high school players. A main component to the storytelling for these events was capturing their legacies and contextualizing their talents and accomplishments.

The rising senior assisted in provided $2.5 million worth of grants to the Negro Leagues Family Alliance & the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

“I had an amazing experience educating myself with Black baseball history as well as helping the future Black baseball players excel on a Major League platform,” Freeney shared.

As part of the experience, the Arizona native got to travel to Birmingham, Alabama and see the legendary Rickwood Field, Arlington, Texas for the HBCU Swingman Classic/All-Star Weekend, and Vero Beach, Florida + Atlanta, Georgia for the Hank Aaron Invitational. One major highlight was spending time with Ken Griffey Jr. and Sr. 

“Big thank you to the Executive Director of YDF, Jean Lee Batrus, for welcoming me to the team and giving me an opportunity to be a part of these events”, Zay concluded.

After advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament hosted at the John A. Paulson Center this past March, Zay and the rest of the Violets gear up to head to Shanghai, China for a week-long cultural immersion and exchange. 

Participate in a dope internship yourself, or know of a teammate who has? DM us!

## Stats

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## Tags

ownthecity

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