From Carnegie Mellon University Athletics
The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) announced today the 2018 NABC Give Back Team, recognizing 10 men's college basketball players for their outstanding community service efforts. Carnegie Mellon University senior Ryan Maha (West Mifflin, Pa.) was one of those 10 from a nominated list of student-athletes by college coaches and sports information directors across the country. The 2018 Give Back Team includes five student-athletes from NCAA® Division I and five from NCAA Division II and III and NAIA Division I and II.
Joining Maha from NCAA Division II-III and the NAIA are Alec Andrews of the California Institute of Technology, Seth Hawley of the University of Arkansas Fort Smith, Nick Mutebi of Wayne State University and Tyler Robinson of Lyon College.
Representing NCAA Division I are Shawn Anderson of the United States Naval Academy, Brian Dawkins of Elon University, Justin Johnson of Western Kentucky University, Desmond Ringer of Mercer University and Osinachi Smart of the College of Charleston.
"The NABC Give Back Team provides an opportunity to recognize the exceptional selfless humanitarian acts performed by men's college basketball student-athletes," said NABC Executive Director Jim Haney. "The 10 young men selected for this honor have made significant contributions to assist those in need while helping lift the human spirit."
Maha is the Co-Founder and CEO of Empowering Entrepreneurs (E.E.), which started in December of 2015. Maha developed the vision and programming to teach problem solving through entrepreneurship at low-income high schools throughout the Pittsburgh area. E.E. focuses on empowering kids. It gives students the opportunity to learn essential business ideas as well as start their very own unique business concept. Through interactive workshops and mentorship from collegiate entrepreneurs, E.E. allows students to grow what they may just consider a good idea into a real, profitable business.
Maha teaches sessions on identifying problems and solutions, turning solutions into products, monetizing products, researching and pitching potential customers and pitching investors. Maha continues to serve as a mentor and advisor to help students develop solutions and products outside of the classroom.
"It is truly an honor to be named to the 2018 NABC Give Back Team," said Maha. "I believe there is no life well lived without helping and serving others. The joy I receive from helping others, especially those who come from challenging backgrounds, has been more rewarding than any of my individual accomplishments."
Through Empowering Entrepreneurs, we are going to continue to teach kids to believe in themselves and to buy into the idea that they can be whatever they want to be in this world."
The two-year captain ended his career on the court ranked fourth all-time in Tartans' history with 183 three-pointers made. He played in 94 games throughout his career with 69 starts while finishing with 916 points for a 9.7 points per game average.
"Ryan's commitment to community service is truly remarkable, and Empowering Entrepreneurs is the best example of that work," said Tartans head men's basketball coach Tony Wingen. "He has successfully balanced his course work and basketball at such a high level over the past four years, and to give back to his community in so many meaningful ways – Ryan is just an exceptional young man. Being named to the NABC Give Back Team is a proper recognition of Ryan's career at Carnegie Mellon."