MADD Sports Honored as Finalist in Anthem Awards for Community Engagement Impact

MADD Sports Honored as Finalist in the Anthem Awards

MADD Sports, an initiative under Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), has been acknowledged as a finalist in the Community Engagement category of the prestigious 6th Annual Anthem Awards. This recognition highlights the innovative approach of MADD Sports in using the platform of athletics to advocate for impaired driving prevention and promote safer choices within sports communities.

The Anthem Awards celebrate impactful initiatives that create significant social change, and MADD Sports stands out for its effective engagement with student-athletes, coaches, and sports organizations. Stacey D. Stewart, the CEO of MADD, emphasized the immense power of sports to unite individuals, influence culture, and drive transformative change. Through MADD Sports, the organization strives to empower athletes and coaches to initiate dialogues on mental wellness and the crucial issue of impaired driving, potentially saving lives in the process.

MADD Sports aims to create a vital network linking athletes, coaches, universities, and professional sports organizations. This network facilitates meaningful conversations about impaired driving and mental wellness, encouraging the next generation to take the lead in fostering responsible behavior. According to Stewart, the recognition as a finalist in the Anthem Awards signifies the far-reaching impact that sports can have beyond the playing field.

The Anthem Awards, judged by a panel of distinguished leaders in various social impact sectors, recognize noteworthy efforts that set a high standard for advocacy, action, and impact. Prominent judges include Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson, a celebrated actor and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.

MADD Sports invites everyone—athletes, coaches, fans, and supporters—to rally behind their cause as they enter the public voting phase of the Anthem Community Voice campaign. Voting is crucial as it supports the message that individual choices can lead to transformative outcomes in communities across the nation.

The voting period is open until October 29, 2026, offering the chance to vote for MADD Sports in the Health – Community Engagement – Non-Profit category at the Anthem Awards website here.

In addition to public voting, the Anthem judges will also select winners across Gold, Silver, or Bronze categories. The final results will be announced on November 5, 2026, making this an exciting opportunity for MADD Sports and its supporters to be part of a larger movement aimed at preventing impaired driving and enhancing community wellness.

About MADD Sports

MADD Sports leverages the influence and reach of athletes and coaches to further MADD’s mission to eradicate impaired driving. By fostering connections with student-athletes, universities, and professional sports organizations, MADD Sports engages communities in discussions about the importance of safe choices and mental health. Through education, advocacy, and engagement, the initiative is dedicated to creating a movement where every choice counts and every voice can make a difference.

For more information about MADD Sports and to get involved, please visit their website at madd.org/maddsports.

About MADD

Founded in 1980, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending impaired driving and supporting the victims of this crime. MADD has played a crucial role in reducing drunk driving fatalities in the U.S. and continues to work toward stricter laws and better support for victims. For support or more information about MADD's initiatives, visit madd.org or connect on social media platforms.