Game-changing Partnership Equips Student-Athletes with Tools to Boost Mental Wellness and Encourage Safe Choices
IRVING, Texas, March 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) and NDUR for Athletes, a leading mental health platform, are teaming up to provide student-athletes with essential mental wellness resources while equipping high schools and colleges nationwide with innovative education programs. This collaboration aims to redefine mental health support and empower young athletes to make safer, healthier decisions—on and off the field.
Through this partnership, MADD Sports and NDUR will deliver a cutting-edge, technology-driven program designed to engage student-athletes, encourage smart decision-making, and create lasting change.
“Mental health plays a crucial role in making safe, healthy choices,” said Stacey D. Stewart, CEO of MADD. “By combining NDUR’s innovative digital support system with MADD Sports’ mission to prevent impaired driving, we are putting vital mental health and decision-making tools directly into the hands of student-athletes across the country. This partnership empowers young athletes to prioritize their well-being, make healthier choices, and help build safer communities by addressing critical issues like impaired driving and underage drinking.”
At the heart of this powerful collaboration is NDUR’s innovative mobile-first platform, which connects athletes directly to on-campus services, teletherapy, crisis intervention tools, and peer-to-peer support—anytime, anywhere. By integrating technology-driven resources with MADD Sports’ impaired driving prevention initiatives, this partnership will create a lasting impact in schools and on campuses nationwide.
“MADD Sports and NDUR are set to change the game in student-athlete mental health and impaired driving prevention,” said Bob Khederian, NDUR Chairman. “We’ve spent the past two years perfecting a mobile-first experience for Gen Z athletes, and this partnership is a game-changer in bringing that vision to life.”
With a focus on student-athlete well-being, MADD Sports and NDUR have built a dynamic digital platform that provides:
- On-Demand Mental Health Support: A technology hub customized for each school, giving athletes instant access to campus counseling, teletherapy, and additional resources.
- Peer-to-Peer Support Network: A national, anonymous space exclusively for college athletes to connect and share experiences.
- Educational Resources & Leadership Development: A robust library of tools, mentoring programs, and leadership initiatives to help athletes take charge of their well-being.
- Campus Leadership & Mentorship Program: Empowering student-athletes to be advocates for mental wellness and impaired driving prevention on their campuses.
The impact of this partnership extends far beyond individual wellness. Together, MADD and NDUR will ignite community engagement through exciting donation opportunities, including a QR code activation at an upcoming Boston Bruins game and dedicated donation links on NDUR’s platform. Every contribution directly supports MADD’s mission to end impaired driving, prevent underage drinking, and save lives.
Since launching in the 2023-2024 academic year, NDUR’s platform has already reached
thousands of student-athletes at nearly 100 campuses nationwide, including Boston College, UMASS Amherst, Georgetown University, and Babson College.
“We’re at a critical moment in student-athlete mental health,” said Carter-Williams, Chief
Relations Officer for NDUR. “The pressures athletes face today—especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic—demand innovative, accessible support systems. Our platform provides student-athletes with a first line of defense, ensuring no one feels alone in their struggles.”
NDUR’s technology-driven approach directly aligns with the NCAA’s newly published mental health guidelines, which will become mandatory for Division I programs this November. Thus, NDUR is a turnkey, affordable solution for colleges of all sizes, helping them comply with these standards without additional strain on athletic department resources. In addition, the MADD Sports and NDUR initiative is supported by corporate partners and sponsors, including the NFL, Uber, and Diageo, ensuring the program remains free for schools.
About NDUR
NDUR for Athletes was founded to transform the mental health landscape for student-athletes through proactive, community-driven support. By addressing the No. 1 priority on every campus—mental health—NDUR empowers student-athletes to manage daily stressors, build resilience, and prioritize well-being both on and off the field. NDUR was co-founded by Michael Carter-Williams, a Syracuse University alum and 2014 NBA Rookie of the Year, and Russ Cooke, former CEO of Boston Coach and NFL alumni, to address the growing mental health crisis among student-athletes. The NDUR leadership team includes Darren Orr, a Duke University grad, and 17 year NHL agent who worked alongside his NHL Hall of Fame father, Bobby Orr. Bob Khederian, a Boston-based entrepreneur is NDUR’s chairman and lead investor. Leading the charge on brand development and outreach, Ben Berkowitz, Chief Brand Officer, and Max Berkowitz Chief Marketing Officer, bring their expertise in strategic storytelling and cultural engagement to amplify NDUR’s mission nationwide.
About MADD Sports
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Sports collaborates with athletes, sports organizations, and communities to end impaired driving and promote responsible drinking habits. Through education, advocacy, and partnership, MADD Sports aims to save lives and create safer environments nationwide.
About MADD
Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is a national nonprofit leading the movement to end impaired driving for good. Since 1980, MADD has helped reduce drunk driving deaths in America by nearly 40%, saved more than 475,000 lives, and served more than one million victims and survivors. The organization is committed to leading prevention efforts with young adults, collaborating with law enforcement to keep our roads safe from impaired drivers, as well as advocating for stricter sentencing and stronger laws, including the HALT Drunk Driving Act that mandates anti-drunk driving technology in every new car. MADD continues to provide support services to victims and survivors of impaired driving at no charge through victim advocates and the 24-Hour Victim Help Line 1-877-MADD-HELP. For more information or to donate, visit https://madd.org/ and follow MADD on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
SOURCE Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
