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This summer, we’re excited to welcome Natalie Polanco to the Beyond Sport team as our Programs and Partnerships Assistant. Natalie, a 2026 CUNYAC softball champ, joins us as a Jeannette K. Watson Fellow. The three-year, cohort-based program provides funded summer internships and professional development opportunities to undergraduate students from New York City.
Tell us a little about your studies. What college do you attend, what are you studying and where are you from?
I am a rising junior at Macaulay Honors College at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. I study Law and Society with a minor in Homeland Security and am proud to be a Flushing, Queens native.
Beyond Sport works at the intersection of sport and social impact. Are there any activities, hobbies or communities that help you feel connected, energized or inspired?
I am proud to be part of the Latino legal community as Chair of Social Media for the Puerto Rican Bar Association. I am engaged with legal developments and issues that directly impact the communities I care about. Through the Association’s digital media efforts, I help amplify resources and conversations that support Latino legal professionals and community members alike. This work energizes me to keep pushing for legal reform for the Latino community.
What is your personal relationship to sport?
I have been involved in sports for more than half of my life, dedicating myself to softball from Little League through the collegiate level. Sport has empowered me and equipped me with valuable skills, including leadership and confidence, and has pushed me to thrive in new environments.
What interested you in joining Beyond Sport, and what are you most looking forward to?
Through my life experiences, I have seen how sport brings unlikely communities together, pushes equitable change and creates opportunities for those who may otherwise lack access to resources and support. To be part of the work that allows others to empower themselves and bring unity to other parts of the world is what I am looking forward to most.
Is there a class, topic, or issue that you’re especially passionate about?
One issue I am especially passionate about exploring is the “pay-to-play” nature of sport. I have seen firsthand how the cost of equipment can be the first and largest barrier to participating in many sports.
Since starting at Beyond Sport, I have become increasingly interested in sustainable, community-driven solutions that promote accessibility and encourage athletes to give back. Whether through equipment-sharing initiatives, mentorship or expanded access to spaces where young people can develop their skills, I believe there are creative ways to make sports more inclusive.
Outside of school and work, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I enjoy spending quality time with friends and family. I also have creative outlets such as painting, drawing and, recently, learning how to play chess.
What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?
People might be surprised to learn that I spend every weekend making and teaching arts and crafts to little kids. I love seeing the excitement on their faces when they complete a project and the confidence they gain from creating something they are proud of.
Welcome to the team, Natalie!
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