PORTLAND, Ore. --- Portland's Nathan DeVaughn, a senior on the track & field team, has been named the Play it Forward Award College Athlete of the Month for November.
 
Oregon Sports Awards proudly announces Play It Forward Award winners each month, and the award is sponsored by Nike and Providence Health & Services. Nike and Providence are committed to helping kids be physically active as an integral part of building healthier communities, and are partnering to recognize and award outstanding efforts to get kids moving in Oregon. 
 
DeVaughn has become a leader at the University of Portland and among Pilot student-athletes in mentorship and outreach to the local youth community. He volunteers weekly with Playworks at Cesar Chavez School to promote healthy play and fitness on the playground, as well as anti-bullying messaging.
 
DeVaughn facilitates recess activities, creates a culture of fair play, and works on inclusion. He also coordinated to have the entire Pilot track team go through the Playworks training to get his fellow teammates certified as Playworks Coaches. Now many of his teammates and fellow student athletes join him on trips to the school and he hopes the relationship between UP and Cesar Chavez continues after he graduates.
 
He also serves as a youth mentor for a current at-risk fifth grader at Holy Cross Elementary School one hour per week. He has mentored the student for the last three years. The student is also passionate about sports and DeVaughn's background and supportive attitude over the last three years has been very impactful. In addition to promoting a healthy lifestyle through athletics and activities, DeVaughn also sits in on classes, helps with assignments, and fosters positive behavioral attitudes.
 
The Play It Forward Award
Fewer and fewer kids have the opportunity today to benefit from positive youth sports experiences and physical activity. One barrier to getting kids moving more is a lack of engaging and inspiring role models. Nike and Providence Health & Services hope to overcome this challenge by celebrating individuals and nonprofits that are already doing this important work through the Play It Forward Award and Fund. 
 
Between September 2015 to May 2016, the Play It Forward Award will recognize one high school and one college athlete each month for the great work they are doing to give back to their communities across Oregon. Students can be nominated by a community member, teacher, or parent, or they can self-select to be considered for the monthly honor.
 
To be nominated for the Play It Forward Award, the student athlete must:
• Be a high school or college student who is a member of an athletic team at their school
• Average a minimum of four community volunteer hours per month with an organization or program that gets kids active through sports or physical activity
• Demonstrates initiative and drive, by going beyond expected school responsibilities
 
The monthly award nominee (two per month—one high school athlete, and one college athlete) will be announced at the beginning of each month. This student-athlete will receive a certificate recognizing their accomplishment. At the annual Oregon Sports Awards in June 2016, the first official Play It Forward Award will be given to one student selected from the 18 athletes recognized throughout the 2015-2016 school year and that student will be recognized at the annual Oregon Sports Awards event at Nike's World Headquarters.